BILL REQ. #:  H-0276.1 

Read first time 01/18/11.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to administration of drugs by health care assistants; and amending RCW 18.135.130.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 18.135.130 and 2009 c 43 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) This section applies only to health care assistants certified in categories C or E by the department of health.
     (2)(a) The administration of drugs by a health care assistant is restricted to oral, topical, rectal, otic, ophthalmic, or inhaled routes administered pursuant to a written order of a supervising health care practitioner. The drugs authorized for administration under this section are limited to the following:
     (i) Over-the-counter drugs that may be administered to a patient while in the care of a health care practitioner are: Benadryl, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, neosporin, polysporin, normal saline, colace, kenalog, and hydrocortisone cream;
     (ii) Nonover-the-counter unit dose legend drugs that may be administered to a patient while in the care of a health care practitioner are: Kenalog, hydrocortisone cream, reglan, compazine, zofran, bactroban, albuterol, xopenex, silvadene, gastrointestinal cocktail, fluoride, lmx cream, emla, lat, optic dyes, oral contrast, and oxygen.
     (b) ((Only health care assistants who are certified as category C or E assistants by the department of health may administer the oral drugs specified in (a) of this subsection.
     (c))) Health care assistants authorized to administer certain over-the-counter and legend drugs under (((a) of)) this ((subsection)) section must demonstrate initial and ongoing competency to administer specific drugs as determined by the health care practitioner.
     (((2))) (3) A health care practitioner must administer a medication if:
     (a) A patient is unable to physically ingest or safely apply a medication independently or with assistance; or
     (b) A patient is unable to indicate an awareness that he or she is taking a medication.
     (((3))) (4) This section expires July 1, 2013.