HB 2295 - DIGEST

Finds that the advances in medical technology, diagnosis, and treatment have resulted in great strides in maintaining and improving the health of Washingtonians. Yet those advances substantially increase the complexity of our health care delivery system and increase the risk that medical errors will occur.

Finds that our health care and medical liability systems are not structured to promote disclosure and analysis of medical errors, whether they result in patient harm or not. Each medical error provides an opportunity to learn how to avoid future errors.

Declares an intent to promote full disclosure of medical errors and adverse health events, and to use the experience and knowledge gained from analysis of those events to advance patient safety in a nonpunitive manner.

Intends to promote full disclosure of medical errors to patients by substantially reducing the risk of liability exposure associated with such disclosure.

Declares that this act constitutes an alternative to Initiative 330. The secretary of state shall place this act on the ballot in conjunction with Initiative 330 at the next regular general election.

Declares that this act constitutes an alternative to Initiative 336. The secretary of state shall place this act on the ballot in conjunction with Initiative 336 at the next regular general election.