FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6213

                           C 70 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring guidelines for the response of emergency medical personnel to directives.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Deccio and Winsley).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care

Background:  Emergency medical service technicians and paramedics are regulated professionals through the Department of Health.  These professionals perform under the direction of a licensed physician.  These professionals, in a very short time frame, must undertake care to a patient that is either full code or supportive care.  Patients can direct whether they want code or supportive care if they require emergency services.  Across the state, there are varying practices relative to the professionals recognizing an individual=s direction regarding the kind of emergency care they would choose to receive.  Apparently, the varying practices can be attributed to the fact that there is not in law a requirement that the individual=s directive be in a specific form.  The Department of Health, pursuant to statute, developed guidelines concerning the delivery of emergency services and developed a form.  The department=s form was never put into rule or statute.

Summary:  The Department of Health must develop a simple standardized form that emergency medical personnel recognize as prescriptive of the kind of care an individual must receive in an emergency situation that is recognized statewide.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 470

House980

Effective:June 8, 2000