Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 43.70 · 154 active provisions
The legislature finds and declares that it is of importance to the people of Washington state to live in a healthy environment and to expect a minimum standard of quality in health care. The legislature further finds that the social and economic vitality of the state depends on a healthy and productive population. The…
As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:(1) "Assessment" means the regular collection, analysis, and sharing of information about health conditions, risks, and resources in a community. Assessment activities identify trends in illness, injury, and death and the factors that may cause these event…
(1) There is hereby created a department of state government to be known as the department of health. The department shall be vested with all powers and duties transferred to it by chapter 9, Laws of 1989 1st ex. sess. and such other powers and duties as may be authorized by law. The main administrative office of the d…
The executive head and appointing authority of the department shall be the secretary of health. The secretary shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the governor in accordance with RCW 43.17.020. The secretary shall be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.
In addition to any other powers granted the secretary, the secretary may:(1) Adopt, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, rules necessary to carry out the provisions of chapter 9, Laws of 1989 1st ex. sess.: PROVIDED, That for rules adopted after July 23, 1995, the secretary may not rely solely on a section of law stat…
The department of health must establish and perform, within existing funds, a formal review process of its existing rules every five years. The goal of the review is to decrease the numbers of, simplify the process, and decrease the time required for obtaining licenses, permits, and inspections, as applicable, in order…
There is created an award to honor and recognize cost-effective and quality health care services. This award shall be known as the "Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care."
The governor, in conjunction with the secretary of health, shall identify and honor health care providers and facilities in Washington state who exhibit exceptional quality and value in the delivery of health services. The award shall be given annually consistent with the availability of qualified nominees. The secreta…
(1) The legislature intends that the department and board promote and assess the quality, cost, and accessibility of health care throughout the state as their roles are specified in chapter 9, Laws of 1989 1st ex. sess. in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. In furtherance of this goal, the secretary shall…
(1)(a) To promote the public interest consistent with the purposes of chapter 492, Laws of 1993 as amended by chapter 267, Laws of 1995, the department shall require hospitals to submit hospital financial and patient discharge information, including any applicable information reported pursuant to RCW 43.70.053, which s…
(1)(a) Beginning July 1, 2022, for a health system operating a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, the health system must annually submit to the department a consolidated annual income statement and balance sheet, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, health clinics, urgent care clinics, physician…
(1) To promote the public interest consistent with chapter 267, Laws of 1995, the department of health, in cooperation with the director of Washington technology solutions established in RCW 43.105.025, shall develop health care data standards to be used by, and developed in collaboration with, consumers, purchasers, h…
(1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(a) "Health care-associated infection" means a localized or systemic condition that results from adverse reaction to the presence of an infectious agent or its toxins and that was not present or incubating…
(1) The legislature finds that public health data is critical to the department's ability to respond to emerging public health threats and chronic conditions affecting the public health and, therefore, intends that the department be fully informed about emerging public health threats and chronic conditions that may imp…
It is the intent of the legislature to promote appropriate use of health care resources to maximize access to adequate health care services. The legislature understands that the rapidly increasing costs of health care are limiting access to care. To promote health care cost-effectiveness, the department shall:(1) Imple…
The legislature finds that it is difficult for consumers of health care services to determine the quality of health care prior to purchase or utilization of medical care. The legislature also finds that accountability is a key component in promoting quality assurance and quality improvement throughout the health care d…
(1) The department of health shall study the feasibility of a uniform quality assurance and improvement program for use by all public and private health plans and health care providers and facilities. In this study, the department shall consult with:(a) Public and private purchasers of health care services;(b) Health c…
The department of health, the health care authority, the department of social and health services, the office of the insurance commissioner, and the department of labor and industries shall form an interagency group for coordination and consultation on quality assurance activities and collaboration on final recommendat…
The department shall evaluate and analyze readily available data and information to determine the outcome and effectiveness of health services, utilization of services, and payment methods. This section should not be construed as allowing the department access to proprietary information.(1) The department shall make it…
(1)(a) The identity of a whistleblower must remain confidential if that whistleblower:(i) Complains, in good faith, to the department of health about the improper quality of care by a health care provider, or in a health care facility;(ii) Initiates in good faith any investigation or administrative proceeding about a c…
The powers and duties of the department of social and health services and the secretary of social and health services under the following statutes are hereby transferred to the department of health and the secretary of health: Chapters 16.70, 18.46, 18.71, 18.73, 18.76, 69.30, 70.28, 70.30, 70.50, *70.58, 70.62, 70.83,…
(1) The powers, duties, and functions of the department of social and health services pertaining to licensing and certification of behavioral health provider agencies and facilities, except for state-run mental health institutions, are hereby transferred to the department of health to the extent necessary to carry out…
(1) The secretary shall have full authority to administer oaths and take testimony thereunder, to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses before the secretary together with all books, memoranda, papers, and other documents, articles or instruments, and to compel the disclosure by such witnesses of all fac…
This section governs the assessment of a civil fine against a person by the department. This section does not govern actions taken under chapter 18.130 RCW.(1) The department shall give written notice to the person against whom it assesses a civil fine. The notice shall state the reasons for the adverse action. The not…
Enforcement action taken after July 23, 1995, by the director or the department shall be in accordance with RCW 43.05.100 and 43.05.110.