Washington Administrative Code

If a case returns to a prior stage, any unused basic time period days in the prior stage may be used.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.095. WSR 07-24-073, § 246-14-110, filed 12/4/07, effective 1/4/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.095(1). WSR 00-10-114, § 246-14-110, filed 5/3/…

(1) Affected credential holders, applicants, and complainants will be notified of applicable time periods as soon as possible consistent with effective case management.(2) Other information about applicable time periods will be released according to public records law.[Statutory …

These regulations define the term "bloodborne pathogens" solely for use by the department of social and health services when placing a child in out-of-home care pursuant to RCW 74.13.289.[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.13.289. WSR 05-04-112, § 246-140-001, filed 2/2/05, effective 3/…

The term "bloodborne pathogen" means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans including: Arboviral infections; babesiosis; brucellosis; Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; hepatitis B virus (HBV); hepatitis C virus (HCV); human immunodefici…

Disclosure of information related to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases must be in accordance with RCW 70.24.105.[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.13.289. WSR 05-04-112, § 246-140-020, filed 2/2/05, effective 3/5/05.]

These rules establish standard universal precautions for preventing the spread of diseases by using sterilization procedures and infection control in the practices of electrology, body art, body piercing, and tattooing.[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.54.340. WSR 10-12-057, § 246-145…

For the purpose of these rules, the following words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(1) "Antiseptic" means an agent that destroys disease causing microorganisms on human skin or mucosa.(2) "Aseptic technique" means a procedur…

(1) Electrologists, and individuals licensed to perform body piercing, body art and tattooing, shall not perform procedures:(a) While under the influence of alcohol or drugs;(b) If they have weeping dermatitis or draining sores;(c) On a client who appears to be under the influenc…

The following universal precautions must be used by electrologists in the care of all clients.(1) Wash hands with soap and water immediately before and after each client contact;(2) Wash hands and other skin surfaces immediately and thoroughly if contaminated with blood or other …

To ensure that clients are not exposed to disease through needles or other instruments, electrologists must:(1) Use single-use, presterilized disposable needles on one client and then dispose of the needle immediately in a puncture-resistant container;(2) Not use reusable needles…

Any electrologist out of compliance with the rules in this chapter will be guilty of a misdemeanor.[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.54.340. WSR 10-12-057, § 246-145-040, filed 5/27/10, effective 7/1/10; WSR 02-11-109, § 246-145-040, filed 5/20/02, effective 6/20/02.]

The following universal precautions must be used by persons licensed to practice body art, body piercing, and tattooing:(1) Use sterile instruments and aseptic techniques at all times during a procedure.(2) Use only presterilized single-use disposable needles for body piercing an…

(1) To prevent clients from being exposed to diseases through needles or other instruments, licensees must:(a) Use single-use, presterilized disposable needles on one client and then dispose of the needle immediately in a sharps container. Reusable needles must not be used.(b) Us…

The rules in this chapter are adopted pursuant to RCW 43.70.075. The purpose of these rules is to protect the identity of persons who communicate in good faith to the department alleging the improper quality of care by a health care facility or provider as defined in this chapter…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(1) "Consumer" means:(a) An individual receiving health care or services from a health care facility or health care professional;(b) A person pursuant to RCW 7.70.065 auth…

(1) The identity of the whistleblower remains confidential when, in good faith, the whistleblower:(a) Complains about the improper quality by a health care provider or in a health care facility;(b) Initiates any investigation or administrative proceeding about a complaint of impr…

(1) In filing, investigating, and resolving a whistleblower complaint, the department will protect a whistleblower's identity consistent with WAC 246-15-020.(2) The regulatory authority will:(a) Assess complaints based on potential imminent danger to the public and prioritize bas…

The rules in this chapter define certain acts of unprofessional conduct for health care providers under the jurisdiction of the secretary of the department of health as provided in RCW 18.130.040 (2)(a) including persons licensed or certified by the secretary under chapter 18.73 …

(1) "Health care information" means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium that identifies or can readily be associated with the identity of, and relates to the health care of, a patient or client.(2) "Health care provider" means an individual applying fo…

(1) A health care provider shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in sexual misconduct with a current patient, client, or key party, inside or outside the health care setting. Sexual misconduct shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Sexual misconduct includes but is n…

These mandatory reporting rules require certain reports about license holders and are intended to address patient safety. These rules are not intended to limit reports from any person who has a concern about a license holder's conduct or ability to practice safely.[Statutory Auth…

(1) "Approved impaired practitioner or voluntary substance abuse program" means a program authorized by RCW 18.130.175 and approved by a disciplining authority listed in RCW 18.130.040.(2) "Conviction" means a court has decided a person is guilty of any gross misdemeanor or felon…

(1) Reports are submitted to the department of health. The department will give the report to the appropriate disciplining authority for review, possible investigation, and further action.(a) When a patient has been harmed, a report to the department is required. A report to one …

Each license holder must self report:(1) Any conviction, determination, or finding that he or she has committed unprofessional conduct; or(2) Information that he or she is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to a mental or physical condition; or(3) Any disqual…

A license holder must report another license holder in some circumstances.(1) The reporting license holder must submit a report when he or she has actual knowledge of:(a) Any conviction, determination, or finding that another license holder has committed an act that constitutes u…

Every institution, corporation or organization providing professional liability insurance to a license holder must report:(1) Any malpractice settlement, award, or payment in excess of twenty thousand dollars that results from a claim or action for damages allegedly caused by a l…

(1) This section applies to:(a) Hospitals and specialty hospital defined in chapter 70.41 RCW;(b) Ambulatory surgery facilities defined in chapter 70.230 RCW;(c) Childbirth centers defined in chapter 18.46 RCW;(d) Nursing homes defined in chapter 18.51 RCW;(e) Chemical dependency…

The executive officer of health care service contractors and disability insurers licensed under chapters 48.20, 48.21, 48.21A, and 48.44 RCW must report when the entity has made a determination or finding that a license holder has engaged in billing fraud.[Statutory Authority: RC…

(1) This section applies to every peer review committee, quality improvement committee, or other similarly designated professional review organization operating in the state of Washington.(2) Unless prohibited by state or federal law, the professional review organization must rep…

The department requests that the clerks of trial courts in Washington report professional malpractice judgments and all convictions against a license holder.[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070 and 18.130.060. WSR 08-08-066, § 246-16-260, filed 3/31/08, effective 5/1/08.]

The department requests that any state or federal program employing a license holder in Washington reports:(1) When it determines a license holder has harmed or placed at unreasonable risk of harm a patient or client; and(2) When it has actual knowledge that the license holder po…

(1) Every license holder, corporation, organization, health care facility, and state and local governmental agency that employs a license holder shall report to the department of health when the employed license holder's services have been terminated or restricted based on a fina…

(1) Applying these rules.(a) The disciplining authorities listed in RCW 18.130.040(2) will apply these rules to determine sanctions imposed for unprofessional conduct by a license holder in any active, inactive, or expired status. The rules do not apply to applicants.(b) The disc…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.390. WSR 09-15-190, § 246-16-810, filed 7/22/09, effective 8/22/09.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.390. WSR 09-15-190, § 246-16-820, filed 7/22/09, effective 8/22/09.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.390. WSR 09-15-190, § 246-16-830, filed 7/22/09, effective 8/22/09.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.390. WSR 09-15-190, § 246-16-840, filed 7/22/09, effective 8/22/09.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.390. WSR 09-15-190, § 246-16-850, filed 7/22/09, effective 8/22/09.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.390. WSR 09-15-190, § 246-16-860, filed 7/22/09, effective 8/22/09.]

The following nonexclusive list identifies factors that may mitigate or aggravate the sanctions that should be imposed in an order or stipulation to informal disposition.(1) Factors related to the unprofessional conduct:(a) Gravity of the unprofessional conduct;(b) Age, capacity …

(1) The board of health finds that:(a) Pulmonary tuberculosis is a life-threatening airborne disease that can be casually transmitted without significant interaction with an infectious person. Tuberculosis has reemerged as an epidemic disease nationally, and though Washington sta…

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter."Case management" means a comprehensive, ongoing identification of needs, including the need for any medical, social, educational, or other support services; the developme…

Each county, city-county and district health officer is responsible for the control of tuberculosis within a jurisdiction. Each health officer shall act as or shall designate a physician to act as tuberculosis control officer. This individual shall coordinate all aspects of the p…

(1) Each local health department shall assure the provision of a comprehensive program for the prevention, treatment, and control of tuberculosis. Services shall include:(a) Prevention and screening, with emphasis on screening of high risk populations;(b) Diagnosis and monitoring…

The department shall make available a course to be used by the state tuberculosis control program or local health departments to train tuberculosis community health workers.This course shall include, but not be limited to:(1) Tuberculosis infection and disease, including preventi…

(1) Inpatient services to infectious or suspected cases shall be provided in hospitals or hospital units of correctional facilities. These facilities shall meet infection control program requirements pursuant to WAC 246-318-035, and shall provide:(a) A single-patient room consist…

(1) A local health officer shall make reasonable efforts to obtain voluntary compliance with requests for examination, testing, and treatment prior to initiating the procedures for involuntary detention.(2) If the local health officer has reason to believe that:(a) A person is a …

(1) A hearing on the petition for detention filed under WAC 246-170-051 shall be conducted in superior court within seventy-two hours after initial detention, excluding weekends and holidays. The local health officer shall have the burden of proving the allegations set forth in t…

If a person has been detained under WAC 246-170-051 or 246-170-055, the health officer may begin testing or treatment, with informed consent, or pursuant to a court order as appropriate, pending the hearing required under WAC 246-170-055.[Statutory Authority: ESB 6158 and chapter…

(1) The provisions of WAC 246-170-051 through 246-170-061 do not apply to persons who have been lawfully detained, confined, or committed to the custody of a penal institution, a mental health facility, or another public or private institution. The person in charge of such facili…