HB 1711.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares that information received by the department through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under chapter 70.41 RCW, may be disclosed publicly, as permitted under chapter 42.17 RCW, subject to the following provisions:  (1) Licensing inspections, or complaint investigations, shall, as requested, be disclosed no sooner than three business days after the hospital has received the resulting assessment report;

     (2) information regarding administrative action against the license shall, as requested, be disclosed after the hospital has received the documents initiating the administrative action;

     (3) information about complaints that did not warrant an investigation shall not be disclosed except to notify the hospital and the complainant that the complaint did not warrant an investigation.  If requested, the individual complainant shall receive information on other like complaints that have been reported against the hospital; and

     (4) information disclosed pursuant to this section shall not disclose individual names.

     Requires that any complaint against a hospital and event notification required by the department that concerns patient well-being shall be investigated.

     Provides that the department, the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations, and any other accrediting organization may review and audit the records of a quality improvement committee or peer review committee in connection with their inspection and review of hospitals.  Information so obtained shall not be subject to the discovery process, and confidentiality shall be respected as required.  Each hospital shall produce and make accessible to the department the appropriate records and otherwise facilitate the review and audit.

     Requires every hospital to post in conspicuous locations a notice of the department's hospital complaint toll-free telephone number.  The form of the notice shall be approved by the department.