PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-834-250 Legend drugs and devices.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.50.115.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Midwives are independent practitioners who normally practice in a birth center or a home setting. Because they are independent practitioners, they need to be prepared for emergencies. The department is considering an amendment to this rule to ensure all medications necessary to protect the patient can be obtained and administered by a licensed midwife.
In addition, the midwifery advisory committee recommended that these rules be looked at as part of their "Standards of Practice" to assure that it is clear what drugs a midwife may obtain and administer and which devices they may use to assist in the birthing process. These changes may help protect the public by assuring licensed midwives have clear direction regarding the medications and procedures that may safely be administered by midwives in or outside the hospital setting.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making. A public rules writing workshop will be held with interested members of the public. An invitation will be mailed to all licensed midwives, approved midwifery programs, all persons who have conveyed interest in this subject, all persons on the committee meeting mailing list and all associations and state offices which have a possible interest in this subject.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kendra Pitzler, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone (360) 236-4723, fax (360) 236-4738, e-mail kendra.pitzler@doh.wa.gov.
August 14, 2002
M. C. Selecky
Secretary