SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1426

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long‑Term Care, March 28, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the establishment of a quality improvement program for boarding homes.

Brief Description:  Establishing a quality improvement program for boarding homes.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Edmonds (co‑prime sponsor), Skinner (co‑prime sponsor), Cody, Pflug, Dunn, Schual‑Berke, Boldt, Kagi, Kenney, Campbell, Conway and Marine).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/19/01, 3/28/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Costa, Deccio, Fraser, Parlette and Winsley.

Staff:  Rhoda Donkin (786‑7198)

Background:  The Quality Consultation Program was developed for boarding homes in the state in response to legislation specifying that providers should be supported in their efforts to improve the quality of the work they do.  The emphasis of the program was to initially address problems identified by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) through training, consultation, and technical assistance.  The consultation program was voluntary for providers.

The program was funded with eight positions, and quality improvement consultants were not involved in the enforcement process. Their activities were limited to implementing quality improvement measures in facilities.

To date, 80 percent of the state's boarding homes have taken advantage of the consultation program.

Summary of Bill:  Within available funding, the department must establish a quality improvement consultation program for boarding homes.  This program is offered on a voluntary basis.  At a minimum, the program conducts on-site visits and telephone consultations.

Consultation program staff may not be licensors, or complaint investigators in the region where they are consulting, except when there is an emergency that indicates a high risk to a resident.  Records developed as a result of a consultation may not be shared with non-managerial staff or complaint investigation staff, unless this would interfere with already required reporting duties related to abuse, neglect, or abandonment of exploitation.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This is an excellent program that has helped boarding homes resolve problems before they get serious.  It should be continued indefinitely.  This program should be available to residents as well as managers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Jerry Reilly, WHCA; Pat Lashway, DSHS; Lauri St. Ours, Carol Foltz, Trisha Savage, Deb Murphy, Nor Alfa; Karen Tyrres, WAHSA; Kary Hyre, LTCOP (con without amendment).