SB 6485 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Directs the department of health, in cooperation with the Washington state hospital association, to oversee a pilot project to implement and evaluate strategies to reduce the burden on hospitals, and improve the quality and efficiency, of hospital surveys or audits.

Declares that strategies to be implemented and evaluated by the pilot project include, but are not limited to, providing notice of survey and audit visits, consolidation of survey and audit visits, coordination of separate survey and audit visits, deeming of one agency's visits for another, using a combined entrance meeting with hospital management, identifying a standard set of documents to be available for all surveys and audits, and minimizing duplication of required documents.

Requires the department of health to report to the legislature by December 1, 2004, regarding the results of the pilot project and the strategies identified for adoption on a statewide basis to improve the regulatory environment for hospitals while assuring the safety and well-being of patients and full compliance with relevant state and local laws.

Directs the department to coordinate its hospital construction review process with other state and local agencies having similar review responsibilities, including the department of labor and industries, the office of the state fire marshal, and local building and fire officials. Inconsistencies or conflicts among the agencies shall be identified and eliminated.

Provides that, by September 1, 2004, the department shall report to the legislature regarding its implementation of this act.