SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5604

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long-Term Care, March 1, 1999

Title:  An act relating to health care facility worker identification.

Brief Description:  Identifying health care facility workers.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio, Wojahn, Winsley, Costa, Franklin and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/11/99, 3/1/99 [DPS]

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5604 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Costa, Deccio, Johnson and Winsley.

Staff:  Christopher Blake (786-7446)

Background:  No statutory standards have been established to provide consistent identification to be worn by health care facility workers or volunteers.

Some patients and their families may have no way to differentiate between those who provide medical services and those who may be contracting with a facility, leasing space, or providing other services.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  All persons who are health care providers, staff, employees, contractors, and volunteers providing health care services directly at a health care facility are required to wear visible identification.  Veterinary medical facilities and its employees are excepted.  The identification must display the individual's name or an identifying number as well as their professional title or job title.  It is the health care facility administrator's responsibility to ensure compliance.

Costs for identification badges are unallowable as to nursing facilities.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Veterinary medical facilities are excepted from the bill.  Immunity provisions are removed.  The costs of identification badges are listed as unallowable with regards to nursing facilities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Requiring health care facility employees to wear identification badges will inform patients as to who is providing their services, thereby enhancing consumer awareness.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Tamara Warnke, Washington State Nurses Association (pro); Greg Hanon, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (concerns).