SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6293

BYSenators Deccio, Kreidler, Newhouse, Vognild, Johnson, Wojahn, Smith, Niemi, Nelson, Halsan, Kiskaddon, Fleming, Sellar, Rinehart, Stratton, Garrett and von Reichbauer

Revising provisions for activities of registered nurses.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 19, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Niemi, Smith, West, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  January 27, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Currently, the registered nursing practice act (Chapter 18.88 RCW) does not provide specific authority for registered nurses to pronounce death.  In practice pronouncing death involves an assessment of a person's vital signs such as the presence of a pulse, reflex and optical assessment and measuring blood pressure.  If vital signs indicate death, a notation is made on the patient's chart and the body is removed for disposition.

The pronouncement of death is separate from the certification of death as provided for in Chapter 70.58 RCW.  The certificate of death involves the documentation of facts concerning the death, such as the cause, who last attended the decedent and other pertinent medical data.

SUMMARY:

The nurse practice act (Chapter 18.88 RCW) is amended to clarify that registered nurses shall not be prohibited from determining and pronouncing death.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Pat Greenstreet, Washington State Nurses Association; Robert Ball, Washington State Nurses Association; Steve Maag, Washington Health Care Association; Jan Williams, Home Care Association of Washington; Mike Ryherd, Washington State Medical Association; Dave Broderick, Washington State Hospital Association; Fred Mills, American Association of Retired Persons