HB 1224-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares that, in an action against a health care provider under chapter 7.70 RCW, an expert may not provide testimony at trial unless the expert meets the following criteria: (1) Has expertise in the medical condition at issue in the action; and

(2) At the time of the occurrence of the incident at issue in the action, or at the time or retirement in the case of an expert who retired no sooner than five years prior to the time the action is commenced, was either: (a) Engaged in active practice in the same or similar area of practice or specialty as the defendant; or (b) teaching at an accredited medical school or an accredited or affiliated academic or clinical training program in the same or similar area of practice or specialty as the defendant, including instruction regarding the particular condition at issue.

Provides that an expert opinion provided in the course of an action against a health care provider under this chapter must be corroborated by admissible evidence, such as, but not limited to, treatment or practice protocols or guidelines developed by medical specialty organizations, objective academic research, clinical trials or studies, or widely accepted clinical practices.