Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 1397
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the delegation of authority to registered nurses.
Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Ericksen, Cody, Green, Hinkle, Morrell, Bailey, Williams, Nelson and Wood.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/09
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)
Background:
A registered nurse is a person who performs acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill based on the principles of the biological, physiological, behavioral, and sociological sciences in:
the observation, assessment, diagnosis, care or counsel, and health teaching of individuals with illnesses, injuries, or disabilities, or in the maintenance of health or prevention of illness in others;
the performance of acts requiring education and training that are recognized by the medical and nursing professions as proper and that are authorized by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission;
the administration, supervision, delegation, and evaluation of nursing practice;
the teaching of nursing; or
the execution of medical regimen as prescribed by certain health care professionals.
A registered nurse may administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations, if within his or her scope of practice, at the direction of a licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, osteopathic physician and surgeon, naturopathic physician, podiatric physician and surgeon, physician assistant, osteopathic physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner.
Summary of Bill:
A registered nurse may administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations, at the direction of an "optometric physician."
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.