HB 1538-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires the chief administrator or executive officer of a hospital to report to the department when the practice of a health care practitioner as defined in this act is restricted, suspended, limited, or terminated based upon a conviction, determination, or finding by the hospital that the health care practitioner has committed an action defined as unprofessional conduct under RCW 18.130.180. The chief administrator or executive officer shall also report any voluntary restriction or termination of the practice of a health care practitioner as defined in this act while the practitioner is under investigation or the subject of a proceeding by the hospital regarding unprofessional conduct, or in return for the hospital not conducting such an investigation or proceeding or not taking action. The department will forward the report to the appropriate disciplining authority.

Provides that a hospital, its chief administrator, or its executive officer who files a report under this act is immune from suit, whether direct or derivative, in any civil action related to the filing or contents of the report.

Requires the department to forward reports made under this act to the appropriate disciplining authority designated under Title 18 RCW within fifteen days of the date the report is received by the department.

Provides that the department shall not increase hospital license fees to carry out this act before July 1, 2007.