BILL REQ. #:  H-1211.3 

Read first time 02/11/2003.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.

     AN ACT Relating to alteration of health care information in medical records; and adding a new section to chapter 70.02 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 70.02 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The accuracy of a patient's medical records is of great importance. Under no circumstance shall any health care provider, health care facility, or health carrier alter, distort, change, or otherwise revise the original reporting of the patient's diagnosis, treatment, condition, or prognosis, or the record containing such documentation except to expand or broaden the accuracy of the record content.
     (2) Amendments, corrections, clarifications, or completions to a medical record must be dated and identified as such.
     (3) The author of the original record or the author of any change in a record shall be identified. The patient shall be notified of any change to the record.
     (4) Violations of this section are considered unprofessional conduct and are subject to discipline under chapter 18.130 RCW.