(1) Notwithstanding any other law, a health care provider who diagnoses a case of sexually transmitted chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or other sexually transmitted infection, as determined by the department or recommended in the most recent federal centers for disease control and prevention guidelines for the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, in an individual patient may prescribe, dispense, furnish, or otherwise provide prescription antibiotic drugs to the individual patient's sexual partner or partners without examination of that patient's partner or partners or having an established provider and patient relationship with the partner or partners. This practice shall be known as expedited partner therapy.

(2) A health care provider may provide expedited partner therapy as outlined in subsection (1) of this section if all the following requirements are met:

(a) The patient has a confirmed laboratory test result, or direct observation of clinical signs or assessment of clinical data by a health care provider confirming the person has, or is likely to have, a sexually transmitted infection;

(b) The patient indicates that the individual has a partner or partners with whom the patient has engaged in sexual activity within the 60-day period immediately before the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection; and

(c) The patient indicates that the partner or partners of the individual are unable or unlikely to seek clinical services in a timely manner.

(3) A prescribing health care provider may prescribe, dispense, furnish, or otherwise provide medication to the diagnosed patient as outlined in subsection (1) of this section for the patient to deliver to the exposed sexual partner or partners of the patient in order to prevent reinfection in the diagnosed patient.

(4) If a health care provider does not have the name of a patient's sexual partner for a drug prescribed under subsection (1) of this section, the prescription shall include the words "expedited partner therapy" or "EPT."

(5) A health care provider shall not be liable in a medical malpractice action or professional disciplinary action if the health care provider's use of expedited partner therapy is in compliance with this section, except in cases of intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or wanton or reckless activity.

(6) The department may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

(7) For the purpose of this section, "health care provider" means a physician under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician or an osteopathic physician and surgeon under chapter 18.57 RCW, or a registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or licensed practical nurse under chapter 18.79 RCW.

Intent—Effective date—2024 c 248: See notes following RCW 18.360.050.