WSR 98-07-051
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Adult Services Administration)
[Filed March 13, 1998, 10:46 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-15-194 Home and community services--Nurse oversight, and other related sections, to amend rule in order to more effectively use the specific skill set of the nurses in managing the increase in the community caseload. This change would target those individuals who would most benefit from a nurses intervention
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.09.520, 74.08.090
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Aging and Adult Services Administration is considering a change to the nurse oversight program which would allow nursing services to be available to those clients who are unstable medically and can most benefit from the interventions of an RN. The RN would do an assessment and recommend or make changes to their plan of care which may make it more likely that they could remain in a community based setting. This proposed change would enable the AAA's and DSHS regional offices to use the nurse's skill set more effectively in managing the increased caseload in home and community based setting. Nursing service would be provided when needed and as appropriate, not on a mandated basis. This would provide targeted nursing services within current funding limits
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Aging and Adult Services will be coordinating this proposal on behalf of the department and will coordinate with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Children's Administration who will be affected by this change
Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties may submit verbal or written comments and recommendations to the Aging and Adult Services Administration at any time prior to filing the notice of proposed rule making. Public meetings will be widely publicized in advance in order to promote maximum attendance and participation in the rule development process by interested parties. Interested parties will be invited to attend informal meetings and/or provide oral or written suggestions to the department. At the time the notice of proposed rule making is filed, interested parties will be notified of the scheduled hearing to adopt rules and how to submit comments
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Rick Bacon, Chief, State Unit on Aging, Aging and Adult Services Administration, P.O. Box 45600, Mailstop 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, (360) 493-2548
March 13, 1998
Edith M. Rice, Chief
Office of Legal Affairs