HOUSE BILL REPORT
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to the delegation of authority to registered nurses.
Brief Description: Concerning the delegation of authority to registered nurses.
Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Ericksen, Cody, Green, Hinkle, Morrell, Bailey, Williams, Nelson and Wood.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/30/09, 2/6/09 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Green, Kelley, Moeller, Morrell and Pedersen.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)
Background:
Registered Nurses.
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.
Optometry.
Optometry is the examination of the human eye, the examination of any defects in the human vision system, and the analysis of the process of vision. The practice of optometry includes:
the use of objective or subjective means or methods, including the use of drugs, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes;
the use of diagnostic instruments or devices for the examination or analysis of vision;
the prescription, fitting, and adjustment of lenses, prisms, and contact lenses;
the prescription and pro-vision of visual therapy, therapeutic aids, and other optical devices; and
the adaptation of prosthetic eyes.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
A registered nurse may administer medications, treatments, tests, and inoculations, at the direction of an optometrist.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The term "optometric physician," which is not defined in statute, is changed to "optometrist."
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a clean-up bill. Registered nurses are ordered to perform these services all the time and are faced with the uncomfortable choice of refusing to perform the services or facing liability for doing so.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; and Brad Tower, Optometric Physicians of Washington.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.