AN ACT Relating to poison information centers;
amending RCW 18.76.010, 18.76.030, and 18.76.060; adding new sections to
chapter 18.76 RCW; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 18.76.040.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1.
RCW 18.76.010 and 1987 c 214 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
The legislature finds that accidental and
purposeful exposure to drugs, poisons, and ((poisonous)) toxic
substances continues to be a severe health problem in the state of Washington.
It further finds that a significant reduction in the consequences of such
accidental exposures ((have)) has occurred as a result of the
services provided by poison information centers.
The purpose of this chapter is to reduce
morbidity and mortality associated with overdose and poisoning incidents by
providing emergency telephone assistance and treatment referral to victims of
such incidents, by providing immediate treatment information to health care
professionals, and public education and prevention programs. Further, the
purpose is to improve utilization of drugs by providing information to health
professionals relating to appropriate therapeutic drug use.
The legislature recognizes that enhanced
cooperation between the emergency medical system and poison control centers
will aid in responding to emergencies resulting from exposure to drugs,
poisons, and ((poisonous)) toxic substances, and that, by
providing telephone assistance to individuals with possible exposure to these
substances, the need for emergency room and professional office visits will be
reduced. As a result the cost of health care to those who may have exposures
to drugs, poisons, and toxic substances will be avoided and appropriate
treatment will be assured.
Sec. 2.
RCW 18.76.030 and 1987 c 214 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
The department shall, in a manner consistent
with this chapter, provide support for the state-wide program of poison and
drug information services ((conducted by poison information centers located
in the cities of Seattle and Spokane and satellite units located in the cities
of Tacoma and Yakima)). These services shall, no later than June 30,
1993, be centralized in and coordinated by a single nonprofit center to be
located in a place determined by the secretary. The services of this ((program))
center shall be:
(1) Twenty-four hour emergency telephone
management and treatment referral of victims of poisoning and overdose
incidents, to include determining whether treatment can be accomplished at
the scene of the incident or transport to an emergency treatment or other
facility is required, and carrying out telephone follow-up to assure that
adequate care is provided;
(2) Providing information to health
professionals involved in management of poisoning and overdose victims;
(3) Coordination and development of community
education programs designed to inform the public and members of the health
professions of poison prevention and treatment methods((; and
(4) Information to health professionals
regarding appropriate therapeutic use of medications, their compatibility and
stability, and adverse drug reactions and interactions)) and to improve awareness of poisoning and overdose
problems, occupational risks, and environmental exposures; and
(4) Coordination of outreach units whose
primary functions shall be to inform the public about poison problems and
prevention methods, how to utilize the poison center, and other toxicology
issues.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A
new section is added to chapter 18.76 RCW to read as follows:
The department shall establish a system for
consulting with other state and local agency programs concerned with poisons
and poisonings, incidents involving exposures to potentially poisonous
substances, and other toxicological matters to develop the most coordinated and
consistent response to such situations as is reasonably possible.
Sec. 4.
RCW 18.76.060 and 1987 c 214 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A person may not act as a poison center
medical director or perform the duties of poison information specialists
of a poison information center without being certified by the secretary under
this chapter.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this
section, if a poison center medical director terminates certification or is
decertified, that poison center medical director's authority may be delegated
by the department to any other person licensed to practice medicine and surgery
under chapter 18.71 RCW or osteopathy and surgery under chapter 18.57 RCW for a
period of thirty days, or until a new poison center medical director is
certified, whichever comes first.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A
new section is added to chapter 18.76 RCW to read as follows:
The center may receive gifts, grants, and
endowments from public or private sources that may be made from time to time,
in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the center
and spend gifts, grants, or endowments or any income from the public or private
sources according to their terms.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.
RCW 18.76.040 and 1987 c 214 s 18 & 1980 c 178 s 3 are each repealed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. If
specific funding for the purposes of this act is not provided by June 30, 1993,
this act shall be null and void.
