PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 02-08-017.
Title of Rule: Chapter 246-388 WAC, Rural health care facility licensing.
Purpose: Chapter 246-388 WAC implements RCW 70.175.100 and establishes minimum standards for the construction, maintenance, operation and scope of rural health care facilities.
Other Identifying Information: The repeal of this chapter is being proposed as a result of a review conducted under Executive Order 97-02, regulatory improvement.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.175.100.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 70.175.100.
Summary: The proposed rules repeal chapter 246-388 WAC, which establishes minimum standards for the construction, maintenance, operation and scope of rural health care facilities.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Chapter 246-388 WAC was adopted in January of 1991 to implement RCW 70.175.100. To date, there are no licensed rural health care facilities. Eligible facilities maintain a hospital license.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Byron Plan, 2725 Harrison Avenue N.W., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 705-6780; and Enforcement: Gary Bennett, 2725 Harrison Avenue N.W., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 705-6652.
Name of Proponent: Department of Health, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposed rules repeal chapter 246-388 WAC, Rural health care facility rules to establish minimum standards for the construction, maintenance, operation and scope for these facilities. Since these rules were established in 1991, there have been no applicants for licensure. All potential applicants are regulated through hospital licensure.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The proposed rules repeal the existing rules, chapter 246-388 WAC.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposal is exempt under RCW 34.05.310(4) and, therefore does not require a small business economic impact statement.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.
Hearing Location: Department of Health, Facilities and Services Licensing, Training Room, 2725 Harrison Avenue N.W., Suite 500, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, on July 30, 2002, at 9:30 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Allen Spaulding by July 26, 2002, TDD (800) 833-6388, or (360) 705-6655.
Submit Written Comments to: Allen Spaulding, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, e-mail al.spaulding@doh.wa.gov, website www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview by July 30, 2002.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 7, 2002.
June 13, 2002
M. C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-5625.1
REPEALER
The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 246-388-001 | Purpose. |
| WAC 246-388-010 | Definitions. |
| WAC 246-388-020 | License -- Application -- Denial -- Appeal. |
| WAC 246-388-030 | Exemptions. |
| WAC 246-388-040 | Department approval of construction. |
| WAC 246-388-050 | Governing body and administration. |
| WAC 246-388-060 | Quality assurance. |
| WAC 246-388-070 | Personnel. |
| WAC 246-388-072 | Criminal history, disclosure, and background inquiries. |
| WAC 246-388-080 | Infection control. |
| WAC 246-388-090 | Abuse reports. |
| WAC 246-388-100 | Water supply. |
| WAC 246-388-110 | Plumbing. |
| WAC 246-388-120 | Staff facilities. |
| WAC 246-388-130 | Storage. |
| WAC 246-388-140 | Heating. |
| WAC 246-388-150 | Lighting and wiring. |
| WAC 246-388-160 | Emergency light and power. |
| WAC 246-388-170 | Ventilation. |
| WAC 246-388-180 | Corridors and doors. |
| WAC 246-388-190 | Carpets. |
| WAC 246-388-200 | Stairways, ramps, and elevators. |
| WAC 246-388-210 | Sewage, garbage, and waste. |
| WAC 246-388-220 | Medical gases. |
| WAC 246-388-230 | Core services. |
| WAC 246-388-240 | Core services -- Twenty-four-hour emergency care. |
| WAC 246-388-250 | Core service -- Outpatient care. |
| WAC 246-388-260 | Core service -- Laboratory. |
| WAC 246-388-270 | Core service -- Radiology. |
| WAC 246-388-280 | Core service -- Inpatient care. |
| WAC 246-388-290 | Core service -- Low-risk maternal patient and newborn care. |
| WAC 246-388-300 | Support services and functions. |
| WAC 246-388-310 | Support services and functions -- Materials processing and management. |
| WAC 246-388-320 | Support services and functions -- Dietary. |
| WAC 246-388-330 | Support services and functions -- Housekeeping. |
| WAC 246-388-340 | Support services and functions -- Laundry. |
| WAC 246-388-350 | Support services and functions -- Maintenance. |
| WAC 246-388-360 | Support services and functions -- Medical records. |
| WAC 246-388-370 | Support services and functions -- Pharmacy service. |
| WAC 246-388-380 | Support services and functions -- Intravenous care. |
| WAC 246-388-390 | Support services and functions -- Discharge planning. |
| WAC 246-388-400 | Optional services. |
| WAC 246-388-410 | Optional -- Long-term care. |
| WAC 246-388-420 | Optional -- Occupational and physical therapy and respiratory care. |
| WAC 246-388-430 | Optional -- Other diagnostic/therapeutic services. |
| WAC 246-388-440 | Optional -- Surgical services. |
| WAC 246-388-450 | Optional -- Anesthesia services. |
| WAC 246-388-990 | Licensure fees. |