Policies & Rules
I am looking for:
- Rules, Policies, Guidelines & Interpretative Statements
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
- Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
- Definitions of Laws Relating to Medical Practice
Rules, Policies, Guidelines & Interpretative Statements
Laws Relating to Medical Practice
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
A statute or Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is written by the Washington State Legislature. Once legislation is signed by the Governor, it becomes law.
The site for RCWs is a searchable database on the Internet. You can also access the State Government website at http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Other relevant RCWs are:
| RCW 18.71 | Physicians |
| RCW 18.71A |
Physician Assistants |
| RCW 18.71B | Interstate Medical Licensure Compact |
| RCW 18.130 | Regulation of Health Professions—Uniform Disciplinary Act |
| RCW 26.44.030 | Abuse of Children and Adult Dependent Persons |
| RCW 34.05 | Administrative Procedures Act |
| RCW 42.56 | Public Records Act |
| RCW 70.02 | Medical Records-Health Care Information Access and Disclosure |
| RCW 74.34 | Abuse of Vulnerable Adults |
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
A rule or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is written to provide interpretive support for the individuals or entities to whom the rule applies. Department of Health rules are written and adopted by a Board or Commission or the Secretary of the Department of Health. Rules or WACs carry the full force of the law.
WACs are available on the State Government website at http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/
The WACs that relate to:
| WAC 246-12 | Administrative Procedures and Requirements for Credentialed Health Care Providers |
| WAC 246-15 | Whistleblower Complaints in Health Care Settings |
| WAC 246-919 | Physicians |
| WAC 246-918 | Physician Assistants |
Definitions
Interpretive Statement
Interpretive statement means a written expression of the opinion of an agency as to the meaning of a statute or other provision of law, of a court decision, or of an agency order.
Policy Statement
Policy statement means a written description of the current approach of an agency to implementation of a statute or other provision of law, of a court decision, or of an agency order, including where appropriate the agency's current practice, procedure, or method of action based upon that approach.
Guidelines
A set of recommended practices designed by the Medical Commission to assist practitioners about appropriate health care for specific circumstances. A guideline does not have the force of law, but may be considered by the Medical Commission to be the standard of care in our state.
Procedure
Establishes the proper steps to take to conduct Commission Business
