Section 246-240-654. Report and notification of a dose to an embryo/fetus or a nursing child.

(1) A licensee shall report to the department at P.O. Box 47827, Olympia WA 98504-7827, (phone [phone]), any dose to an embryo/fetus that is greater than 50 mSv (5 rem) dose equivalent that is a result of an administration of radioactive material or radiation from radioactive material to a pregnant individual unless the dose to the embryo/fetus was specifically approved, in advance, by the authorized user.

(2) A licensee shall report any dose to a nursing child that is a result of an administration of radioactive material to a breast-feeding individual that:

(a) Is greater than 50 mSv (5 rem) total effective dose equivalent; or

(b) Has resulted in unintended permanent functional damage to an organ or a physiological system of the child, as determined by a physician.

(3) The licensee shall notify by telephone the department no later than the next calendar day after discovery of a dose to the embryo/fetus or nursing child that requires a report in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

(4) By an appropriate method listed in WAC 246-221-250, the licensee shall submit a written report to the department within fifteen days after discovery of a dose to the embryo/fetus or nursing child that requires a report in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

(a) The written report must include:

(i) The licensee's name;

(ii) The name of the prescribing physician;

(iii) A brief description of the event;

(iv) Why the event occurred;

(v) The effect, if any, on the embryo/fetus or the nursing child;

(vi) What actions, if any, have been taken or are planned to prevent recurrence; and

(vii) Certification that the licensee notified the pregnant individual or mother (or the mother's or child's responsible relative or guardian), and if not, why not.

(b) The report must not contain the individual's or child's name or any other information that could lead to identification of the individual or child.

(5) The licensee shall provide notification of the event to the referring physician and also notify the pregnant individual or mother, both hereafter referred to as the mother, no later than twenty-four hours after discovery of an event that would require reporting under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, unless the referring physician personally informs the licensee either that they will inform the mother or that, based on medical judgment, telling the mother would be harmful. The licensee is not required to notify the mother without first consulting with the referring physician. If the referring physician or mother cannot be reached within twenty-four hours, the licensee shall make the appropriate notifications as soon as possible thereafter. The licensee may not delay any appropriate medical care for the embryo/fetus or for the nursing child, including any necessary remedial care as a result of the event, because of any delay in notification. To meet the requirements of this subsection, the notification may be made to the mother's or child's responsible relative or guardian instead of the mother. If a verbal notification is made, the licensee shall inform the mother, or the mother's or child's responsible relative or guardian, that a written description of the event can be obtained from the licensee upon request. The licensee shall provide a written description if requested.

(6) A licensee shall:

(a) Annotate a copy of the report provided to the department with the:

(i) Name of the pregnant individual or the nursing child who is the subject of the event; and

(ii) Social Security number or other identification number, if one has been assigned, of the pregnant individual or the nursing child who is the subject of the event; and

(b) Provide a copy of the annotated report to the referring physician, if other than the licensee, no later than fifteen days after the discovery of the event.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050. WSR 06-05-019, § 246-240-654, filed 2/6/06, effective 3/9/06.]

RCW 70.98.050. WSR 06-05-019, § 246-240-654, filed 2/6/06, effective 3/9/06.

Rules

360-236-3300,246-221-250,