RCW 70.41.430
Prevention and control of the transmission of pathogens of epidemiological concern—Policy adoption—Reporting—Definitions.
(1) Each hospital licensed under this chapter shall, by January 1, 2023, adopt a policy regarding prevention and control of the transmission of pathogens of epidemiological concern. The policy shall, at a minimum, contain the following elements:
(a) A facility risk assessment to identify pathogens of epidemiological concern that considers elements such as the probability of occurrence as determined via surveillance, potential impact, and measures the hospital has implemented to mitigate the risk to patients, health care workers, and visitors; and
(b) Appropriate evidence-based procedures and intervention strategies to identify and help prevent patients from transmitting pathogens of epidemiological concern to other patients and health care workers.
(2) A hospital that has identified through appropriate testing a patient who has a pathogen of epidemiological concern that is required to be reported to the national healthcare safety network of the United States centers for disease control and prevention shall report the event as required by the United States centers for medicare and medicaid services.
(3) For the purposes of this section "pathogens of epidemiological concern" means infectious agents that have one or more of the following characteristics:
(a) A propensity for transmission within health care facilities based on published reports from the centers for disease control and prevention and the occurrence of temporal or geographic clusters of two or more patients;
(b) Antimicrobial resistance implications;
(c) Association with serious clinical disease or increased morbidity and mortality; or
(d) A newly discovered or reemerging pathogen.
[ 2022 c 207 § 2; 2009 c 244 § 1.]
NOTES:
Finding—2022 c 207: "The legislature finds that a singular focus on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus does not reflect the reality that there are many more pathogens of epidemiological concern. Modernization of state law is needed. Hospitals must prepare and respond effectively to pathogens of epidemiological concern within their facilities through a broad facility risk assessment that identifies pathogens of epidemiological concern that pose risks to patients, health care workers, and visitors. Department of health oversight and surveys will ensure risk assessments are appropriate and current. Lab identified pathogens must be reported to the national healthcare safety network of the United States centers for disease control and prevention pursuant to requirements from the centers for medicare and medicaid services." [ 2022 c 207 § 1.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 70 - Public Health and Safety
Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation.
70.41.005 - Transfer of duties to the department of health.
70.41.010 - Declaration of purpose.
70.41.030 - Standards and rules.
70.41.040 - Enforcement of chapter—Personnel—Merit system.
70.41.100 - Applications for licenses and renewals—Fees.
70.41.110 - Licenses, provisional licenses—Issuance, duration, assignment, posting.
70.41.115 - Specialty hospitals—Licenses—Exemptions.
70.41.122 - Exemption from RCW 70.41.120 for hospitals accredited by other entities.
70.41.125 - Hospital construction review process—Coordination with state and local agencies.
70.41.130 - Administrative actions against license—Rules—Procedure.
70.41.150 - Denial, suspension, revocation of license—Disclosure of information.
70.41.155 - Duty to investigate patient well-being.
70.41.160 - Remedies available to department—Duty of attorney general.
70.41.180 - Physicians' services.
70.41.190 - Medical records of patients—Retention and preservation.
70.41.220 - Duty to keep records of restrictions on practitioners' privileges—Penalty.
70.41.240 - Information regarding conversion of hospitals to nonhospital health care facilities.
70.41.250 - Cost disclosure to health care providers.
70.41.300 - Long-term care—Definitions.
70.41.322 - Discharge planning—Requirements—Lay caregivers.
70.41.324 - Discharge planning—Certain policies and criteria not required.
70.41.326 - Discharge planning—Construction—Liability.
70.41.330 - Hospital complaint toll-free telephone number.
70.41.340 - Investigation of hospital complaints—Rules.
70.41.365 - Statewide sexual assault kit tracking system—Participation by hospitals.
70.41.367 - Sexual assault evidence kit collection—Availability, plan, and notice requirements.
70.41.370 - Investigation of complaints of violations concerning nursing technicians.
70.41.380 - Notice of unanticipated outcomes.
70.41.390 - Safe patient handling.
70.41.410 - Nurse staffing committee—Definitions.
70.41.420 - Nurse staffing committee.
70.41.425 - Nurse staffing—Department investigations.
70.41.440 - Duty to report violent injuries—Preservation of evidence—Immunity—Privilege.
70.41.450 - Estimated charges of hospital services—Notice.
70.41.460 - Contract with department of corrections.
70.41.480 - Findings—Intent—Authority to prescribe prepackaged emergency medications—Definitions.
70.41.485 - Opioid overdose reversal medications—Distribution—Labeling—Liability.
70.41.500 - Down syndrome—Parent information.