PROPOSED RULES
(Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-01-179.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-840-581 Early remediation program purpose, 246-840-582 Early remediation program definitions, and 246-840-583 Early remediation program criteria.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, Rooms 152/153, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98502, on May 14, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 14, 2010.
Submit Written Comments to: Terry J. West, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, web site http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-4738, by May 7, 2010.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact department of health by May 7, 2010, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Adopt early remediation program rules. Rules allow and define the nursing care quality assurance commission's ability to resolve complaints of a less serious nature through the early remediation program. The nurse and employer can agree to an action plan involving training and monitoring. The investigation is abbreviated. The early remediation program is currently in policy.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The nursing care quality assurance commission currently has a backlog of investigations. The early remediation program allows efficient use of limited resources. The investigation of complaints of a less serious nature is abbreviated. This allows quicker resolution and retraining of nurses. The public, the nurse and the employer are better served by a quicker resolution and retraining. The early remediation program is voluntary and allows for saving time, resources and reduces the potential for future errors.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.79.110 and 18.130.050.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.79.110 and 18.130.050.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Nursing care quality assurance commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Terry J. West, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4712.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The rules do not impose more than minor costs on affected businesses. A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting Terry J. West, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4712, fax (360) 236-4738, e-mail terry.west@doh.wa.gov.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Terry J. West, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 236-4712, fax (360) 236-4738, e-mail terry.west@doh.wa.gov. The rules do not impose more than minor costs on affected businesses.
April 6, 2010
Paula R. Meyer, MSN, RN
Executive Director
OTS-2914.3
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-840-581
Early remediation program purpose.
The
rules in WAC 246-840-582 and 246-840-583 are intended to
effectively and efficiently protect patients by resolving
allegations of practice deficiencies of a less serious nature
through a plan of remedial education, training, and
supervision. Such allegations may not include substance abuse
or drug diversions. These rules outline the criteria and
process of an early remediation program. The nursing care
quality assurance commission may resolve complaints of
practice deficiencies through early remediation during an
investigation.
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"Action plan" means a documented agreement between the nurse named in the complaint(s) and the commission that outlines remedial steps the nurse will undertake to resolve the identified practice deficiencies. Action plans may include required remedial education or training, as well as follow-up monitoring of clinical practice by the current employer or other practice monitor.
"Commission" means the Washington state nursing care quality assurance commission.
"Complaint" means a documented report of a possible violation of the Uniform Disciplinary Act. The commission assesses the report and may authorize an investigation.
"Early remediation program" means a process in which a complaint alleging practice deficiencies is resolved through an action plan without initiating disciplinary procedures.
"Practice deficiencies" includes, but is not limited to, substandard nursing practice, failure to properly assess patients, document treatment, or administer medications, and failure to adhere to scope of practice or delegation laws and regulations. Practice deficiencies do not include drug diversion, patient abuse, fraud, theft, deceit or other willful misconduct, or conduct that results in more than minor patient harm.
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(2) The commission uses the following criteria to determine eligibility for early remediation:
(a) The identified practice deficiencies are of the type and degree where remedial education, on-the-job training and practice monitoring could effectively correct the deficiencies within six months or less; and patient protection does not require significant long-term practice limits;
(b) The nurse is willing and able to participate in the early remediation program;
(c) The nurse's current employer agrees to participate in the action plan;
(d) The nurse has no current charges or disciplinary history of professional conduct and has not previously participated in an action plan; and
(e) The degree of patient harm suffered as a result of the nurse's substandard practice is minor, if any.
(3) The commission uses the following process to implement the early remediation program:
(a) After a preliminary investigation identifies and confirms the practice deficiencies, the commission applies the criteria.
(b) If all of the criteria are met and the commission determines the nurse is eligible for participation in the early remediation program the commission will propose an action plan to the nurse and employer.
(c) If the nurse complies with the terms of the agreed action plan, the commission may consider the nurse's timely and successful completion of the action plan as grounds to close the matter without further action.
(d) The commission evaluates whether the practice deficiencies have been corrected and are unlikely to recur.
(e) The commission may decide to complete a full investigation and consider possible disciplinary action if additional facts become known or circumstances change such that the nurse is no longer eligible based on the above criteria.
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