Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 1660
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: Convening a work group to develop a standardized clinical affiliation agreement for clinical placements for physicians and nurses.
Sponsors: Representatives Hansen, Cody, Clibborn, Green, Morrell, Riccelli and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/13
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
As part of their education and training, physicians, osteopathic physicians, and nurses are all required to complete clinical training. Institutions of higher education enter into agreements with the locations at which their students will complete their clinical training requirements. These agreements, known as clinical affiliation agreements, identify the duties and liabilities of both the school and the clinical site.
In its 2012 annual report, the Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force (HCPSTF) recommended the establishment of a work group to develop standardized language to be used in clinical affiliation agreements. According to the HCPSTF, one of the barriers to expanded clinical placement capacity is the lack of a standardized clinical affiliation agreement; the lack of standardization creates unnecessary complexity and duplication of effort.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Health (DOH) must convene a work group to study and recommend language for standardized clinical affiliation agreements for clinical placements associated with the education and training of physicians, osteopathic physicians, and nurses. When choosing members of the work group, the DOH must consult with the HCPSTF and attempt to ensure that the membership is geographically diverse. The membership must include representatives of the following:
two-year institutions of higher education;
four-year institutions of higher education;
the University of Washington medical school;
the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences;
the HCPSTF;
statewide organizations representing hospitals and other facilities that accept clinical placements;
a statewide organization representing physicians;
a statewide organization representing osteopathic physicians;
a statewide organization representing nurses;
a labor organization representing nurses; and
any other groups deemed appropriate by the DOH in consultation with the HCPSTF.
The work group must develop one recommended standardized clinical affiliation for each profession or one recommended standardized clinical affiliation agreement for all three professions and report its findings to the Governor and the Legislature no later than November 15, 2014.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.