PROPOSED RULES
(Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-11-091.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: New sections for osteopathic physicians: WAC 246-853-600 Sexual misconduct and 246-853-610 Abuse; and osteopathic physician assistants: WAC 246-854-200 Sexual misconduct and 246-854-210 Abuse. The rules will specify the types of sexual misconduct and boundary violations, which include abuse, that will be considered unprofessional conduct for osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants.
Hearing Location(s): St. Francis Hospital, 34515 9th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003, on January 26, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: January 26, 2007.
Submit Written Comments to: Arlene Robertson, Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, web site http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-2406, by January 19, 2007.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Arlene Robertson by January 19, 2007, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board of osteopathic medicine and surgery (board) is proposing new rules to establish consistent and enforceable definitions of abuse and sexual misconduct with patients or former patients for osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants (practitioners). Because it is a greater challenge to clearly define some behaviors as moral turpitude, the proposed rules will allow the board to take action on a broader range of inappropriate behaviors. The proposed rules will also help practitioners avoid inappropriate behavior and educate the public on expectations from their health care provider.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed rules will define sexual misconduct and abuse, regarding practitioner/patient relationships. The board's intent is to protect the public from practitioners who use their position to foster inappropriate conduct with patients. The proposed rules will create enforceable standards for the board to take action against osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants who violate the sexual misconduct and patient abuse standards. The proposal responds to the governor's executive order to promote patient safety and awareness.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.57.005, 18.130.050.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.130.180.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of health, board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Arlene Robertson, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-4945.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A small business economic impact statement was not prepared under RCW 19.85.030(1) because the proposed rule language does not impose costs to businesses within an industry.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Arlene Robertson, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-4945, fax (360) 236-2406, e-mail arlene.robertson@doh.wa.gov.
December 4, 2006
Blake T. Maresh
Executive Director
OTS-8770.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-853-600
Sexual misconduct.
(1) Definitions:
(a) "Patient" means a person who is receiving health care or treatment, or has received health care or treatment without a termination of the osteopathic physician-patient relationship. The determination of when a person is a patient is made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to a number of factors, including the nature, extent and context of the professional relationship between the osteopathic physician and the person. The fact that a person is not actively receiving treatment or professional services is not the sole determining factor.
(b) "Osteopathic physician" means a person licensed to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapter 18.57 RCW.
(c) "Key third party" means a person in a close personal relationship with the patient and includes, but is not limited to, spouses, partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians and proxies.
(2) An osteopathic physician shall not engage in sexual misconduct with a current patient or a key third party. An osteopathic physician engages in sexual misconduct when he or she engages in the following behaviors with a patient or key third party:
(a) Sexual intercourse or genital to genital contact;
(b) Oral to genital contact;
(c) Genital to anal contact or oral to anal contact;
(d) Kissing in a romantic or sexual manner;
(e) Touching breasts, genitals or any sexualized body part for any purpose other than appropriate examination or treatment;
(f) Examination or touching of genitals without using gloves;
(g) Not allowing a patient the privacy to dress or undress;
(h) Encouraging the patient to masturbate in the presence of the osteopathic physician or masturbation by the osteopathic physician while the patient is present;
(i) Offering to provide practice-related services, such as medication, in exchange for sexual favors;
(j) Soliciting a date;
(k) Engaging in a conversation regarding the sexual history, preferences or fantasies of the osteopathic physician.
(3) An osteopathic physician shall not engage in any of the conduct described in subsection (2) of this section with a former patient or key third party if the osteopathic physician:
(a) Uses or exploits the trust, knowledge, influence, or emotions derived from the professional relationship; or
(b) Uses or exploits privileged information or access to privileged information to meet the osteopathic physician's personal or sexual needs.
(4) To determine whether a patient is a current patient or a former patient, the board will analyze each case individually, and will consider a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Documentation of formal termination;
(b) Transfer of the patient's care to another health care provider;
(c) The length of time that has passed;
(d) The length of time of the professional relationship;
(e) The extent to which the patient has confided personal or private information to the osteopathic physician;
(f) The nature of the patient's health problem;
(g) The degree of emotional dependence and vulnerability.
(5) This section does not prohibit conduct that is required for medically recognized diagnostic or treatment purposes if the conduct meets the standard of care appropriate to the diagnostic or treatment situation.
(6) It is not a defense that the patient, former patient, or key third party initiated or consented to the conduct, or that the conduct occurred outside the professional setting.
(7) A violation of any provision of this rule shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
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(a) Makes statements regarding the patient's body, appearance, sexual history, or sexual orientation that have no legitimate medical or therapeutic purpose;
(b) Removes a patient's clothing or gown without consent;
(c) Fails to treat an unconscious or deceased patient's body or property respectfully;
(d) Engages in any conduct, whether verbal or physical, which unreasonably demeans, humiliates, embarrasses, threatens, or harms a patient.
(2) A violation of any provision of this rule shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
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OTS-8771.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-854-200
Sexual misconduct.
(1) Definitions:
(a) "Patient" means a person who is receiving health care or treatment, or has received health care or treatment without a termination of the osteopathic physician assistant-patient relationship. The determination of when a person is a patient is made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to a number of factors, including the nature, extent and context of the professional relationship between the osteopathic physician assistant and the person. The fact that a person is not actively receiving treatment or professional services is not the sole determining factor.
(b) "Osteopathic physician assistant" means a person licensed to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery under chapter 18.57A RCW.
(c) "Key third party" means a person in a close personal relationship with the patient and includes, but is not limited to, spouses, partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians and proxies.
(2) An osteopathic physician assistant shall not engage in sexual misconduct with a current patient or a key third party. An osteopathic physician assistant engages in sexual misconduct when he or she engages in the following behaviors with a patient or key third party:
(a) Sexual intercourse or genital to genital contact;
(b) Oral to genital contact;
(c) Genital to anal contact or oral to anal contact;
(d) Kissing in a romantic or sexual manner;
(e) Touching breasts, genitals or any sexualized body part for any purpose other than appropriate examination or treatment;
(f) Examination or touching of genitals without using gloves;
(g) Not allowing a patient the privacy to dress or undress;
(h) Encouraging the patient to masturbate in the presence of the osteopathic physician assistant or masturbation by the osteopathic physician assistant while the patient is present;
(i) Offering to provide practice-related services, such as medication, in exchange for sexual favors;
(j) Soliciting a date;
(k) Engaging in a conversation regarding the sexual history, preferences or fantasies of the osteopathic physician assistant.
(3) An osteopathic physician assistant shall not engage in any of the conduct described in subsection (2) of this section with a former patient or key third party if the osteopathic physician assistant:
(a) Uses or exploits the trust, knowledge, influence, or emotions derived from the professional relationship; or
(b) Uses or exploits privileged information or access to privileged information to meet the osteopathic physician assistant's personal or sexual needs.
(4) To determine whether a patient is a current patient or a former patient, the board will analyze each case individually, and will consider a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Documentation of formal termination;
(b) Transfer of the patient's care to another health care provider;
(c) The length of time that has passed;
(d) The length of time of the professional relationship;
(e) The extent to which the patient has confided personal or private information to the osteopathic physician assistant;
(f) The nature of the patient's health problem;
(g) The degree of emotional dependence and vulnerability.
(5) This section does not prohibit conduct that is required for medically recognized diagnostic or treatment purposes if the conduct meets the standard of care appropriate to the diagnostic or treatment situation.
(6) It is not a defense that the patient, former patient, or key third party initiated or consented to the conduct, or that the conduct occurred outside the professional setting.
(7) A violation of any provision of this rule shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
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(a) Makes statements regarding the patient's body, appearance, sexual history, or sexual orientation that have no legitimate medical or therapeutic purpose;
(b) Removes a patient's clothing or gown without consent;
(c) Fails to treat an unconscious or deceased patient's body or property respectfully; or
(d) Engages in any conduct, whether verbal or physical, which unreasonably demeans, humiliates, embarrasses, threatens, or harms a patient.
(2) A violation of any provision of this rule shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
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