_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE
HOUSE BILL 1992
_______________________________________________
AS
AMENDED BY THE SENATE
Passed
Legislature - 1999 Regular Session
State
of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session
By
Read
first time 03/02/1999.
Studying the need for emergency medical services personnel
to be trained in the use of epinephrine.
AN
ACT Relating to the emergency administration of epinephrine; adding a new
section to chapter 18.73 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective
date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. The
legislature finds that allergies are a serious medical disorder that affect
more than one in five persons in the United States and are the sixth leading
cause of chronic disease. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic
reaction. Rapid and appropriate administration of the drug epinephrine to a
patient suffering an anaphylaxis allergic reaction may make the difference
between the life and death of that patient. The legislature further finds that
some situations may arise when the administration of epinephrine by an
emergency medical technician is required to save a person's life and that it is
paramount that these valuable emergency response personnel receive the
appropriate training on the use of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis.
It
is the purpose of this act to investigate the rate of anaphylaxis state-wide
and the training and care standards needed to allow emergency medical
technicians to administer life saving epinephrine.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. Using
existing data and resources, the department of health, in cooperation with the
house of representatives health care committee and the senate committee on
health and long-term care, shall review the use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis
by emergency medical personnel and report to the appropriate committees of the
legislature by December 12, 1999. The report shall determine the following:
(1)
An estimate of the total number of expected incidents of anaphylaxis
state-wide, grouped by age;
(2)
The approximate education and training costs associated with preparing
emergency medical systems personnel to carry and administer a prefilled
measured dose of 1:1000 epinephrine for anaphylaxis;
(3)
Any mitigating circumstances for the use of 1:1000 epinephrine by certified emergency
medical systems personnel, including but not limited to, age factors, on-line
versus off-line protocols, and specific signs and symptoms present before drug
administration.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 3. The
department of health shall establish a pilot program to determine the
effectiveness of training emergency medical technicians to carry and administer
epinephrine to persons under age thirty who display symptoms of anaphylaxis.
When a pilot program is established, the department shall establish a voluntary
technical advisory committee to advise the department in the development and
review of the program. The technical advisory committee shall include
appropriate state-wide organizations that represent emergency care personnel,
individuals that are trained in pediatric emergency medicine, and
board-certified allergists. The technical advisory committee shall assist the
department of health in assessing the pilot project and reporting to the
appropriate committees of the legislature by December 12, 1999.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 4. A
new section is added to chapter 18.73 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
All of the state's ambulance and aid services shall make epinephrine available
to their emergency medical technicians in their emergency care supplies. The
emergency medical technician may administer epinephrine to a patient of any age
upon the presentation of evidence of a prescription for epinephrine or to a
patient under eighteen years of age:
(a)
Upon the request of the patient or his or her parent or guardian; or
(b)
Upon the request of a person who presents written authorization from the
patient or his or her parent or guardian making such a request.
(2)
Any emergency medical technician, emergency medical service, or medical program
director acting in good faith and in compliance with the provisions of this
section shall not be liable for any civil damages arising out of the furnishing
or administration of epinephrine.
(3)
Nothing in this section authorizes the administration of epinephrine by a first
responder.
(4)
This section shall expire December 31, 2001.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 5. This
act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or
safety, or support of the state government and its existing public
institutions, and takes effect immediately, except for section 4 of this act
which takes effect January 1, 2000.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 6. This
act may be known and cited as the Kristine Kastner Act.
