05-19-049  

  • WSR 05-19-049

    PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH


    (Board of Physical Therapy)

    [ Filed September 15, 2005, 11:20 a.m. ]

         Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-915-XXX Sharp debridement and 246-915-XXX Electroneuromyographic examinations.

         Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.74 RCW, chapter 501, Laws of 2005.

         Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: HB 1137 (chapter 501, Laws of 2005) passed during the 2005 legislative session. The new legislation authorizes a physical therapist to perform sharp debridement, to include the use of a scalpel only upon showing evidence of adequate education and training as established by administrative rule. The new legislation also requires licensed physical therapists who perform electroneuromyographic examinations for the purpose of testing neuromuscular function to demonstrate further education and training in electroneuromyographic examinations as established by rule. Rules are required to identify what further education and training is required for licensed physical therapists to perform electroneuromyographic examinations and sharp debridement.

         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.

         Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Department of Health, Board of Physical Therapy, Kris Waidely, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867, (360) 236-4847, fax (360) 664-9077, kris.waidely@doh.wa.gov.

    August 24, 2005

    Kris Waidely

    Program Manager