07-20-078

WSR 07-20-078

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Occupational Therapy Practice Board)

[ Filed October 1, 2007, 12:59 p.m. , effective November 1, 2007 ]

     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: WAC 246-847-175 Delegation of authority to initiate investigations, delegates the board's authority to initiate investigations to the department of health through a case management team that includes department staff and at least one clinical member of the board. This change should shorten the time to determine whether or not to investigate a case and reduce the processing time for handling a complaint thus improving patient safety.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.59.130 and 18.130.050.

     Other Authority: RCW 18.130.050.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 07-07-099 on March 19, 2007.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: October 1, 2007.

Mark T. Lehner, OT, Chair

Occupational Therapy Practice Board

OTS-9471.2

NEW SECTION
WAC 246-847-175   Delegation of authority to initiate investigations.   The board delegates to a department of health case management team the authority to initiate an investigation when the board or the department receives information, by means of a complaint or otherwise, that a licensee may have engaged in unprofessional conduct or may be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety by reason of a mental or physical condition. The case management team will consist of, at a minimum, a board member licensed under chapter 18.59 RCW, the executive director or his or her designee, an investigator and a staff attorney.

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