Brief Description: Allowing advanced registered nurse practitioners to examine and obtain copies of autopsy reports.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Seaquist, Morrell, Curtis, Green, Moeller and Ormsby).

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners.

By statute, advanced registered nurse practice is the performance, by a registered nurse, of an expanded role in providing health care as recognized by the medical and nursing professions and defined by the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH rules provide that an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) is a registered nurse prepared to assume primary responsibility for management of a broad range of patient care. An ARNP functions within the specialty scopes of practice and standards of care developed by national professional organizations and reviewed and approved by the State Nursing Care Quality Commission. According to the rules, an ARNP's practice incorporates the use of independent judgment as well as collaborative interaction with other health care professionals when indicated in the assessment and management of conditions appropriate to the ARNP's area of specialization.

Records of Autopsies.

The bodies of individuals who die suddenly, under unnatural or unlawful circumstances or from violence, among other specified causes, are under the jurisdiction of the county coroner. Autopsies may be performed as required by the coroner, as authorized by family members, guardians, or agencies authorized to dispose of the decedent's remains, or upon court order.

Records of autopsies are confidential. They may be released only to specified parties, including the decedent's family, the attending physician, and certain agencies with relevant official business.

Summary:

Confidential records of autopsies may be released to a decedent's ARNP, as well as a decedent's attending physician.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   47   0   (Senate amended)
House   98   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007