reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.045 - Hospital surveys or audits—Frequent problems to be posted on agency websites—Hospital evaluation of survey or audit, form—Notice.

RCW 70.41.045
Hospital surveys or audits—Frequent problems to be posted on agency websites—Hospital evaluation of survey or audit, form—Notice.
(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.
(a) "Agency" means a department of state government created under RCW 43.17.010 and the office of the state auditor.
(b) "Audit" means an examination of records or financial accounts to evaluate accuracy and monitor compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements.
(c) "Hospital" means a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW.
(d) "Survey" means an inspection, examination, or site visit conducted by an agency to evaluate and monitor the compliance of a hospital or hospital services or facilities with statutory or regulatory requirements.
(2) By July 1, 2004, each state agency which conducts hospital surveys or audits shall post to its agency website a list of the most frequent problems identified in its hospital surveys or audits along with information on how to avoid or address the identified problems, and a person within the agency that a hospital may contact with questions or for further assistance.
(3) By July 1, 2004, the department of health, in cooperation with other state agencies which conduct hospital surveys or audits, shall develop an instrument, to be provided to every hospital upon completion of a state survey or audit, which allows the hospital to anonymously evaluate the survey or audit process in terms of quality, efficacy, and the extent to which it supported improved patient care and compliance with state law without placing an unnecessary administrative burden on the hospital. The evaluation may be returned to the department of health for distribution to the appropriate agency.
(4) Except when responding to complaints or immediate public health and safety concerns or when such prior notice would conflict with other state or federal law, any state agency that provides notice of a hospital survey or audit must provide such notice to the hospital no less than four weeks prior to the date of the survey or audit.
[ 2016 c 197 § 7; 2004 c 261 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.100 - Applications for licenses and renewals—Fees.

RCW 70.41.100
Applications for licenses and renewals—Fees.
An application for license shall be made to the department upon forms provided by it and shall contain such information as the department reasonably requires which may include affirmative evidence of ability to comply with the standards, rules, and regulations as are lawfully prescribed hereunder. An application for renewal of license shall be made to the department upon forms provided by it and submitted thirty days prior to the date of expiration of the license. Each application for a license or renewal thereof by a hospital as defined by this chapter shall be accompanied by a fee as established by the department under RCW 43.20B.110.
[ 1987 c 75 § 8; 1982 c 201 § 9; 1955 c 267 § 10.]
NOTES:
Savings—1987 c 75: See RCW 43.20B.900.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.110 - Licenses, provisional licenses—Issuance, duration, assignment, posting.

RCW 70.41.110
Licenses, provisional licenses—Issuance, duration, assignment, posting.
Upon receipt of an application for license and the license fee, the department shall issue a license or a provisional license if the applicant and the hospital facilities meet the requirements of this chapter and the standards, rules and regulations established by the department. All licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire on a date to be set by the department: PROVIDED, That no license issued pursuant to this chapter shall exceed thirty-six months in duration. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and persons named in the application, and no license shall be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the department. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
If there be a failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter or the standards, rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, the department may in its discretion issue to an applicant for a license, or for the renewal of a license, a provisional license which will permit the operation of the hospital for a period to be determined by the department.
[ 1985 c 213 § 20; 1982 c 201 § 12; 1971 ex.s. c 247 § 3; 1955 c 267 § 11.]
NOTES:
Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.120 - Inspection of hospitals—Final report—Alterations or additions, new facilities—Coordination with state and local agencies—Notice of inspection.

RCW 70.41.120
Inspection of hospitals—Final report—Alterations or additions, new facilities—Coordination with state and local agencies—Notice of inspection.
(1) The department shall make or cause to be made an unannounced inspection of all hospitals on average at least every eighteen months. Every inspection of a hospital may include an inspection of every part of the premises. The department may make an examination of all phases of the hospital operation necessary to determine compliance with the law and the standards, rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
(2) The department shall not issue its final report regarding an unannounced inspection by the department until: (a) The hospital is given at least two weeks following the inspection to provide any information or documentation requested by the department during the unannounced inspection that was not available at the time of the request; and (b) at least one person from the department conducting the inspection meets personally with the chief administrator or executive officer of the hospital following the inspection or the chief administrator or executive officer declines such a meeting.
(3) Any licensee or applicant desiring to make alterations or additions to its facilities or to construct new facilities shall, before commencing such alteration, addition or new construction, comply with the regulations prescribed by the department.
(4) No hospital licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be required to be inspected or licensed under other state laws or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or local ordinances, relative to hotels, restaurants, lodging houses, boarding houses, places of refreshment, nursing homes, maternity homes, or psychiatric hospitals.
(5) To avoid unnecessary duplication in inspections, the department shall coordinate with the department of social and health services, the office of the state fire marshal, and local agencies when inspecting facilities over which each agency has jurisdiction, the facilities including but not necessarily being limited to hospitals with both acute care and skilled nursing or psychiatric nursing functions. The department shall notify the office of the state fire marshal and the relevant local agency at least four weeks prior to any inspection conducted under this section and invite their attendance at the inspection, and shall provide a copy of its inspection report to each agency upon completion.
[ 2009 c 242 § 1; 2005 c 447 § 1; 2004 c 261 § 4; 1995 c 282 § 4; 1985 c 213 § 21; 1955 c 267 § 12.]
NOTES:
Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.122 - Exemption from RCW 70.41.120 for hospitals accredited by other entities.

RCW 70.41.122
Exemption from RCW 70.41.120 for hospitals accredited by other entities.
Surveys conducted on hospitals by the joint commission on the accreditation of health care organizations, the American osteopathic association, or Det Norske Veritas shall be deemed equivalent to a department survey for purposes of meeting the requirements for the survey specified in RCW 70.41.120 if the department determines that the applicable survey standards are substantially equivalent to its own.
(1) Hospitals so surveyed shall provide to the department within thirty days of learning the result of a survey documentary evidence that the hospital has been certified as a result of a survey and the date of the survey.
(2) Hospitals shall make available to department surveyors the written reports of such surveys during department surveys, upon request.
[ 2009 c 242 § 2; 2005 c 447 § 2; 1999 c 41 § 1; 1995 c 282 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.125 - Hospital construction review process—Coordination with state and local agencies.

RCW 70.41.125
Hospital construction review process—Coordination with state and local agencies.
(1) The department shall coordinate its hospital construction review process with other state and local agencies having similar review responsibilities, including the department of labor and industries, the office of the state fire marshal, and local building and fire officials. Inconsistencies or conflicts among the agencies shall be identified and eliminated. The department shall provide local agencies with relevant information derived from its construction review process.
(2) By September 1, 2004, the department shall report to the legislature regarding its implementation of subsection (1) of this section.
[ 2004 c 261 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.150 - Denial, suspension, revocation of license—Disclosure of information.

RCW 70.41.150
Denial, suspension, revocation of license—Disclosure of information.
Information received by the department through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under this chapter, may be disclosed publicly, as permitted under chapter 42.56 RCW, subject to the following provisions:
(1) Licensing inspections, or complaint investigations regardless of findings, shall, as requested, be disclosed no sooner than three business days after the hospital has received the resulting assessment report;
(2) Information regarding administrative action against the license shall, as requested, be disclosed after the hospital has received the documents initiating the administrative action;
(3) Information about complaints that did not warrant an investigation shall not be disclosed except to notify the hospital and the complainant that the complaint did not warrant an investigation. If requested, the individual complainant shall receive information on other like complaints that have been reported against the hospital; and
(4) Information disclosed pursuant to this section shall not disclose individual names.
[ 2005 c 274 § 333; 2000 c 6 § 1; 1985 c 213 § 24; 1955 c 267 § 15.]
NOTES:
Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.155 - Duty to investigate patient well-being.

RCW 70.41.155
Duty to investigate patient well-being.
Any complaint against a hospital and event notification required by the department that concerns patient well-being shall be investigated.
[ 2000 c 6 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.160 - Remedies available to department—Duty of attorney general.

RCW 70.41.160
Remedies available to department—Duty of attorney general.
Notwithstanding the existence or pursuit of any other remedy, the department may, in the manner provided by law, upon the advice of the attorney general who shall represent the department in the proceedings, maintain an action in the name of the state for an injunction or other process against any person or governmental unit to restrain or prevent the establishment, conduct, or operation of a hospital without a license under this law.
[ 1985 c 213 § 25; 1955 c 267 § 16.]
NOTES:
Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.170 - Operating or maintaining unlicensed hospital or unapproved tertiary health service—Penalty.

RCW 70.41.170
Operating or maintaining unlicensed hospital or unapproved tertiary health service—Penalty.
Any person operating or maintaining a hospital without a license under this chapter, or, after June 30, 1989, initiating a tertiary health service as defined in RCW 70.38.025(14) that is not approved under RCW 70.38.105 and 70.38.115, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day of operation of an unlicensed hospital or unapproved tertiary health service, shall constitute a separate offense.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 612; 1955 c 267 § 17.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9: See RCW 43.70.910 and 43.70.920.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.180 - Physicians' services.

RCW 70.41.180
Physicians' services.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall in any way authorize the department to establish standards, rules and regulations governing the professional services rendered by any physician.
[ 1985 c 213 § 26; 1955 c 267 § 18.]
NOTES:
Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.190 - Medical records of patients—Retention and preservation.

RCW 70.41.190
Medical records of patients—Retention and preservation.
Unless specified otherwise by the department, a hospital shall retain and preserve all medical records which relate directly to the care and treatment of a patient for a period of no less than ten years following the most recent discharge of the patient; except the records of minors, which shall be retained and preserved for a period of no less than three years following attainment of the age of eighteen years, or ten years following such discharge, whichever is longer.
If a hospital ceases operations, it shall make immediate arrangements, as approved by the department, for preservation of its records.
The department shall by regulation define the type of records and the information required to be included in the medical records to be retained and preserved under this section; which records may be retained in photographic form pursuant to chapter 5.46 RCW.
[ 1985 c 213 § 27; 1975 1st ex.s. c 175 § 1.]
NOTES:
Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
Medical records, disclosure: Chapter 70.02 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.205 - Public hospitals—Review of hospital privileges and quality improvement committee reports—Confidentiality.

RCW 70.41.205
Public hospitals—Review of hospital privileges and quality improvement committee reports—Confidentiality.
(1) All meetings, proceedings, and deliberations of the governing body, its staff or agents, concerning the granting, denial, revocation, restriction, or other consideration of the status of the clinical or staff privileges of a physician or other health care provider as defined in RCW 7.70.020, if such other providers at the discretion of the governing body are considered for such privileges, must be confidential and may be conducted in executive session; however, the final action of the governing body as to the denial, revocation, or restriction of clinical or staff privileges of a physician or other health care provider as defined in RCW 7.70.020 must be done in public session.
(2) All meetings, proceedings, and deliberations of a quality improvement committee established under RCW 4.24.250, 43.70.510, or 70.41.200 and all meetings, proceedings, and deliberations of the governing body, its staff or agents, to review the report or the activities of a quality improvement committee established under RCW 4.24.250, 43.70.510, or 70.41.200 may, at the discretion of the quality improvement committee or the governing body, be confidential and may be conducted in executive session. Any review conducted by the governing body or quality improvement committee, or their staff or agents, must be subject to the same protections, limitations, and exemptions that apply to quality improvement committee activities under RCW 4.24.240, 4.24.250, 43.70.510, and 70.41.200. However, any final action of the governing body on the report of the quality improvement committee must be done in public session.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Governing body" means the board or committee of a public hospital with authority to make final decisions concerning the granting, denial, revocation, restriction, or other consideration of the clinical or staff privileges of a physician or other health care provider, as defined in RCW 7.70.020; and
(b) "Public hospital" means any hospital owned or operated by the state or any of its subdivisions, including the University of Washington.
[ 2019 c 162 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.220 - Duty to keep records of restrictions on practitioners' privileges—Penalty.

RCW 70.41.220
Duty to keep records of restrictions on practitioners' privileges—Penalty.
Each hospital shall keep written records of decisions to restrict or terminate privileges of practitioners. Copies of such records shall be made available to the board within thirty days of a request and all information so gained shall remain confidential in accordance with RCW 70.41.200 and 70.41.230 and shall be protected from the discovery process. Failure of a hospital to comply with this section is punishable by [a] civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
[ 1986 c 300 § 8.]
NOTES:
Legislative findings—Severability—1986 c 300: See notes following RCW 18.57.245.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.235 - Doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery—Discrimination based on board certification is prohibited.

RCW 70.41.235
Doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery—Discrimination based on board certification is prohibited.
A hospital that provides health care services to the general public may not discriminate against a qualified doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, who has applied to practice with the hospital, solely because that practitioner was board certified or eligible under an approved osteopathic certifying board instead of board certified or eligible respectively under an approved medical certifying board.
[ 1995 c 64 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.240 - Information regarding conversion of hospitals to nonhospital health care facilities.

RCW 70.41.240
Information regarding conversion of hospitals to nonhospital health care facilities.
The department of health shall compile and make available to the public information regarding medicare health care facility certification options available to hospitals licensed under this title that desire to convert to nonhospital health care facilities. The information provided shall include standards and requirements for certification and procedures for acquiring certification.
[ 1991 c 3 § 338; 1988 c 207 § 3.]
NOTES:
Resources and staffing—1988 c 207: "The department of community development, department of trade and economic development, department of employment security, and department of social and health services are expected to use their present resources and staffing to carry out the requirements of this act." [ 1988 c 207 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.250 - Cost disclosure to health care providers.

RCW 70.41.250
Cost disclosure to health care providers.
(1) The legislature finds that the spiraling costs of health care continue to surmount efforts to contain them, increasing at approximately twice the inflationary rate. The causes of this phenomenon are complex. By making physicians and other health care providers with hospital admitting privileges more aware of the cost consequences of health care services for consumers, these providers may be inclined to exercise more restraint in providing only the most relevant and cost-beneficial hospital services, with a potential for reducing the utilization of those services. The requirement of the hospital to inform physicians and other health care providers of the charges of the health care services that they order may have a positive effect on containing health costs. Further, the option of the physician or other health care provider to inform the patient of these charges may strengthen the necessary dialogue in the provider-patient relationship that tends to be diminished by intervening third-party payers.
(2) The chief executive officer of a hospital licensed under this chapter and the superintendent of a state hospital shall establish and maintain a procedure for disclosing to physicians and other health care providers with admitting privileges the charges of all health care services ordered for their patients. Copies of hospital charges shall be made available to any physician and/or other health care provider ordering care in hospital inpatient/outpatient services. The physician and/or other health care provider may inform the patient of these charges and may specifically review them. Hospitals are also directed to study methods for making daily charges available to prescribing physicians through the use of interactive software and/or computerized information thereby allowing physicians and other health care providers to review not only the costs of present and past services but also future contemplated costs for additional diagnostic studies and therapeutic medications.
[ 1993 c 492 § 265.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
Short title—Savings—Reservation of legislative power—Effective dates—1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.300 - Long-term care—Definitions.

RCW 70.41.300
Long-term care—Definitions.
"Cost-effective care" and "long-term care services," where used in RCW 70.41.310 and 70.41.320, shall have the same meaning as that given in *RCW 74.39A.008.
[ 1995 1st sp.s. c 18 § 4.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 74.39A.008 was repealed by 1997 c 392 § 530.
Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—Effective date—1995 1st sp.s. c 18: See notes following RCW 74.39A.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.322 - Discharge planning—Requirements—Lay caregivers.

RCW 70.41.322
Discharge planning—Requirements—Lay caregivers.
(1) In addition to the requirements in RCW 70.41.320, hospital discharge policies must ensure that the discharge plan is appropriate for the patient's physical condition, emotional and social needs, and, if a lay caregiver is designated takes into consideration, to the extent possible, the lay caregiver's abilities as disclosed to the hospital.
(2) As part of a patient's individualized treatment plan, discharge criteria must include, but not be limited to, the following components:
(a) The details of the discharge plan;
(b) Hospital staff assessment of the patient's ability for self-care after discharge;
(c) An opportunity for the patient to designate a lay caregiver;
(d) Documentation of any designated lay caregiver's contact information;
(e) A description of aftercare tasks necessary to promote the patient's ability to stay at home;
(f) An opportunity for the patient and, if designated, the patient's lay caregiver to participate in the discharge planning;
(g) Instruction or training provided to the patient and, if designated, the patient's lay caregiver, prior to discharge, to perform aftercare tasks. Instruction or training may include education and counseling about the patient's medications, including dosing and proper use of medication delivery devices when applicable; and
(h) Notification to a lay caregiver, if designated, of the patient's discharge or transfer.
(3) In the event that a hospital is unable to contact a designated lay caregiver, the lack of contact may not interfere with, delay, or otherwise affect the medical care provided to the patient, or an appropriate discharge of the patient.
[ 2016 c 226 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.324 - Discharge planning—Certain policies and criteria not required.

RCW 70.41.324
Discharge planning—Certain policies and criteria not required.
RCW 70.41.322 does not require a hospital to adopt discharge policies or criteria that:
(1) Delay a patient's discharge or transfer to another facility or to home; or
(2) Require the disclosure of protected health information to a lay caregiver without obtaining a patient's consent as required by state and federal laws governing health information privacy and security, including chapter 70.02 RCW and the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and related regulations.
[ 2016 c 226 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.326 - Discharge planning—Construction—Liability.

RCW 70.41.326
Discharge planning—Construction—Liability.
Nothing in RCW 70.41.322 may be construed to:
(1) Interfere with the rights or duties of an agent operating under a valid health care directive under RCW 70.122.030;
(2) Interfere with designations made by a patient pursuant to a physician order for life-sustaining treatment under RCW 43.70.480;
(3) Interfere with the rights or duties of an authorized surrogate decision maker under RCW 7.70.065;
(4) Establish a new requirement to reimburse or otherwise pay for services performed by the lay caregiver for aftercare;
(5) Create a private right of action against a hospital or any of its directors, trustees, officers, employees, or agents, or any contractors with whom the hospital has a contractual relationship;
(6) Hold liable, in any way, a hospital, hospital employee, or any consultants or contractors with whom the hospital has a contractual relationship for the services rendered or not rendered by the lay caregiver to the patient at the patient's residence;
(7) Obligate a designated lay caregiver to perform any aftercare tasks for any patient;
(8) Require a patient to designate any individual as a lay caregiver as defined in RCW 70.41.020;
(9) Obviate the obligation of a health carrier as defined in RCW 48.43.005 or any other entity issuing health benefit plans to provide coverage required under a health benefit plan; and
(10) Impact, impede, or otherwise disrupt or reduce the reimbursement obligations of a health carrier or any other entity issuing health benefit plans.
[ 2016 c 226 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.330 - Hospital complaint toll-free telephone number.

RCW 70.41.330
Hospital complaint toll-free telephone number.
Every hospital shall post in conspicuous locations a notice of the department's hospital complaint toll-free telephone number. The form of the notice shall be approved by the department.
[ 2000 c 6 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.340 - Investigation of hospital complaints—Rules.

RCW 70.41.340
Investigation of hospital complaints—Rules.
The department is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement RCW 70.41.150, 70.41.155, and 70.41.330.
[ 2000 c 6 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.350 - Emergency care provided to victims of sexual assault—Development of informational materials on emergency contraception—Rules.

RCW 70.41.350
Emergency care provided to victims of sexual assault—Development of informational materials on emergency contraception—Rules.
(1) Every hospital providing emergency care to a victim of sexual assault shall:
(a) Provide the victim with medically and factually accurate and unbiased written and oral information about emergency contraception;
(b) Orally inform each victim of sexual assault of her option to be provided emergency contraception at the hospital; and
(c) If not medically contraindicated, provide emergency contraception immediately at the hospital to each victim of sexual assault who requests it.
(2) The secretary, in collaboration with community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop, prepare, and produce informational materials relating to emergency contraception for the prevention of pregnancy in rape victims for distribution to and use in all emergency rooms in the state, in quantities sufficient to comply with the requirements of this section. The secretary, in collaboration with community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders, may also approve informational materials from other sources for the purposes of this section. The informational materials must be clearly written and readily comprehensible in a culturally competent manner, as the secretary, in collaboration with community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders, deems necessary to inform victims of sexual assault. The materials must explain the nature of emergency contraception, including that it is effective in preventing pregnancy, treatment options, and where they can be obtained.
(3) The secretary shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
[ 2002 c 116 § 3.]
NOTES:
Findings—2002 c 116: "(1) The legislature finds that:
(a) Each year, over three hundred thousand women are sexually assaulted in the United States;
(b) Nationally, over thirty-two thousand women become pregnant each year as a result of sexual assault. Approximately fifty percent of these pregnancies end in abortion;
(c) Approximately thirty-eight percent of women in Washington are sexually assaulted over the course of their lifetime. This is twenty percent more than the national average;
(d) Only fifteen percent of sexual assaults in Washington are reported; however, even the numbers of reported attacks are staggering. For example, last year, two thousand six hundred fifty-nine rapes were reported in Washington, this is more than seven rapes per day.
(2) The legislature deems it essential that all hospital emergency rooms provide emergency contraception as a treatment option to any woman who seeks treatment as a result of a sexual assault." [ 2002 c 116 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.360 - Emergency care provided to victims of sexual assault—Department to respond to violations—Task force.

RCW 70.41.360
Emergency care provided to victims of sexual assault—Department to respond to violations—Task force.
The department must respond to complaints of violations of RCW 70.41.350. The department shall convene a task force, composed of representatives from community sexual assault programs and other relevant stakeholders including advocacy agencies, medical agencies, and hospital associations, to provide input into the development and evaluation of the education materials and rule development. The task force shall expire on January 1, 2004.
[ 2002 c 116 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—2002 c 116: See note following RCW 70.41.350.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.365 - Statewide sexual assault kit tracking system—Participation by hospitals.

RCW 70.41.365
Statewide sexual assault kit tracking system—Participation by hospitals.
Hospitals licensed under this chapter shall participate in the statewide sexual assault kit tracking system established in RCW 43.43.545 for the purpose of tracking the status of all sexual assault kits collected by or in the custody of hospitals and other entities contracting with hospitals. Hospitals shall begin full participation in the system according to the implementation schedule established by the Washington state patrol.
[ 2016 c 173 § 6.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—2016 c 173: See note following RCW 43.43.545.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.367 - Sexual assault evidence kit collection—Availability, plan, and notice requirements.

RCW 70.41.367
Sexual assault evidence kit collection—Availability, plan, and notice requirements.
(1) By July 1, 2020, any hospital that does not provide sexual assault evidence kit collection, or does not have appropriate providers available to provide sexual assault evidence kit collection at all times, shall develop a plan, in consultation with the local community sexual assault agency, to assist individuals with obtaining sexual assault evidence kit collection at a facility that provides such collection.
(2) Beginning July 1, 2020:
(a) If a hospital does not perform sexual assault evidence kit collection or does not have appropriate providers available, the hospital shall, within two hours of a request, provide notice to every individual who presents in the emergency department of the hospital and requests a sexual assault evidence kit collection that the hospital does not perform such collection or does not have appropriate providers available; and
(b) Pursuant to the plan required in subsection (1) of this section, if the hospital does not perform sexual assault evidence kit collection or does not have appropriate providers available, hospital staff must coordinate care with the local community sexual assault agency and assist the patient in finding a facility with an appropriate provider available.
(3) A hospital must notify individuals upon arrival who present in the emergency department of the hospital and request a sexual assault evidence kit collection that they may file a complaint with the department if the hospital fails to comply with subsection (2)(a) of this section.
[ 2019 c 250 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.370 - Investigation of complaints of violations concerning nursing technicians.

RCW 70.41.370
Investigation of complaints of violations concerning nursing technicians.
The department shall investigate complaints of violations of RCW 18.79.350 and 18.79.360 by an employer. The department shall maintain records of all employers that have violated RCW 18.79.350 and 18.79.360.
[ 2003 c 258 § 8.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—2003 c 258: See notes following RCW 18.79.330.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.380 - Notice of unanticipated outcomes.

RCW 70.41.380
Notice of unanticipated outcomes.
Hospitals shall have in place policies to assure that, when appropriate, information about unanticipated outcomes is provided to patients or their families or any surrogate decision makers identified pursuant to RCW 7.70.065. Notifications of unanticipated outcomes under this section do not constitute an acknowledgment or admission of liability, nor can the fact of notification, the content disclosed, or any and all statements, affirmations, gestures, or conduct expressing apology be introduced as evidence in a civil action.
[ 2005 c 118 § 1.]
NOTES:
Policy to be in place beginning January 1, 2006—2005 c 118: "Beginning January 1, 2006, the department shall, during the survey of a hospital, ensure that the policy required in RCW 70.41.380 is in place." [ 2005 c 118 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.400 - Patient billing—Written statement describing who may be billing the patient required—Contact phone numbers—Exceptions.

RCW 70.41.400
Patient billing—Written statement describing who may be billing the patient required—Contact phone numbers—Exceptions.
(1) Prior to or upon discharge, a hospital must furnish each patient receiving inpatient services a written statement providing a list of physician groups and other professional partners that commonly provide care for patients at the hospital and from whom the patient may receive a bill, along with contact phone numbers for those groups. The statement must prominently display a phone number that a patient can call for assistance if the patient has any questions about any of the bills they receive after discharge that relate to their hospital stay.
(2) This section does not apply to any hospital owned or operated by a health maintenance organization under chapter 48.46 RCW when providing prepaid health care services to enrollees of the health maintenance organization or any of its wholly owned subsidiary carriers.
[ 2006 c 60 § 2.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2006 c 60: "The legislature finds that the implementation of health information technologies in hospitals, including electronic medical records, has the potential to significantly reduce cost, improve patient outcomes, and simplify the administration of health care. Further, the legislature finds that the number of and complexity of the bills that result from a hospital stay can be confusing to patients. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to encourage hospitals to design the implementation of health information technologies so as to allow the hospital to provide the patient, prior to or upon discharge, clearly understandable information about the services provided during the hospital stay, and the bills the patient is likely to receive related to each of those services. Recognizing that complete implementation of the technologies required to achieve this goal will take a number of years, the legislature intends to require that hospitals immediately begin working toward the goal by compiling and communicating information to assist patients in understanding their bills." [ 2006 c 60 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.428 - Hospital staffing committee—Oversight.

RCW 70.41.428
Hospital staffing committee—Oversight. (Effective July 1, 2024.)
By July 1, 2024, the department and the department of labor and industries must jointly establish a formal agreement that identifies the roles of each of the two agencies with respect to the oversight and enforcement of RCW 70.41.420 (4)(a) and (12) and 70.41.425 (1), (4), (5), (6)(b), and (7), as follows:
(1) To the extent feasible, provide for oversight and enforcement actions by a single agency, and must include measures to avoid multiple citations for the same violation; and
(2) Include provisions that allow for data sharing, including hospital staffing plans, reports submitted under RCW 70.41.420(7), and hospital staffing committee complaints submitted to the department.
[ 2023 c 114 § 5.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2023 c 114: See note following RCW 70.41.410.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.430 - Prevention and control of the transmission of pathogens of epidemiological concern—Policy adoption—Reporting—Definitions.

RCW 70.41.430
Prevention and control of the transmission of pathogens of epidemiological concern—Policy adoption—Reporting—Definitions.
(1) Each hospital licensed under this chapter shall, by January 1, 2023, adopt a policy regarding prevention and control of the transmission of pathogens of epidemiological concern. The policy shall, at a minimum, contain the following elements:
(a) A facility risk assessment to identify pathogens of epidemiological concern that considers elements such as the probability of occurrence as determined via surveillance, potential impact, and measures the hospital has implemented to mitigate the risk to patients, health care workers, and visitors; and
(b) Appropriate evidence-based procedures and intervention strategies to identify and help prevent patients from transmitting pathogens of epidemiological concern to other patients and health care workers.
(2) A hospital that has identified through appropriate testing a patient who has a pathogen of epidemiological concern that is required to be reported to the national healthcare safety network of the United States centers for disease control and prevention shall report the event as required by the United States centers for medicare and medicaid services.
(3) For the purposes of this section "pathogens of epidemiological concern" means infectious agents that have one or more of the following characteristics:
(a) A propensity for transmission within health care facilities based on published reports from the centers for disease control and prevention and the occurrence of temporal or geographic clusters of two or more patients;
(b) Antimicrobial resistance implications;
(c) Association with serious clinical disease or increased morbidity and mortality; or
(d) A newly discovered or reemerging pathogen.
[ 2022 c 207 § 2; 2009 c 244 § 1.]
NOTES:
Finding—2022 c 207: "The legislature finds that a singular focus on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus does not reflect the reality that there are many more pathogens of epidemiological concern. Modernization of state law is needed. Hospitals must prepare and respond effectively to pathogens of epidemiological concern within their facilities through a broad facility risk assessment that identifies pathogens of epidemiological concern that pose risks to patients, health care workers, and visitors. Department of health oversight and surveys will ensure risk assessments are appropriate and current. Lab identified pathogens must be reported to the national healthcare safety network of the United States centers for disease control and prevention pursuant to requirements from the centers for medicare and medicaid services." [ 2022 c 207 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.450 - Estimated charges of hospital services—Notice.

RCW 70.41.450
Estimated charges of hospital services—Notice.
Hospitals licensed under this chapter shall post a sign in patient registration areas containing at least the following language: "Information about the estimated charges of your hospital services is available upon request. Please do not hesitate to ask for information."
[ 2009 c 529 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.460 - Contract with department of corrections.

RCW 70.41.460
Contract with department of corrections.
As a condition of licensure, a hospital must contract with the department of corrections pursuant to RCW 72.10.030.
[ 2012 c 237 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.490 - Authorization for certain transfers of drugs between hospitals and their affiliated companies.

RCW 70.41.490
Authorization for certain transfers of drugs between hospitals and their affiliated companies.
(1) The legislature recognizes that in order for hospitals to ensure drugs are accessible to patients and the public to meet hospital and community health care needs, certain transfers of drugs must be authorized between hospitals and their affiliated or related companies under common ownership and control of the corporate entity and for emergency medical reasons.
(2) A licensed hospital pharmacy is permitted, without a wholesaler license, to:
(a) Engage in intracompany sales, being defined as any transaction or transfer between any division, subsidiary, parent company, affiliated company, or related company under common ownership and control of the corporate entity, unless the transfer occurs between a wholesale distributor and a health care entity or practitioner; and
(b) Sell, purchase, or trade a drug or offer to sell, purchase, or trade a drug for emergency medical reasons. For the purposes of this subsection, "emergency medical reasons" includes transfers of prescription drugs to alleviate a temporary shortage, except that the gross dollar value of the transfers may not exceed five percent of the total prescription drug sale revenue of either the transferor or transferee pharmacy during any twelve consecutive month period.
[ 2015 c 234 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.500 - Down syndrome—Parent information.

RCW 70.41.500
Down syndrome—Parent information.
A hospital that provides a parent with a positive prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome shall provide the parent with the information prepared by the department under RCW 43.70.738 at the time the hospital provides the parent with the Down syndrome diagnosis.
[ 2016 c 70 § 9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.41 - Hospital Licensing and Regulation. › 70.41.510 - Pattern of balance billing protection act violations by hospital—Fines and disciplinary action.

RCW 70.41.510
Pattern of balance billing protection act violations by hospital—Fines and disciplinary action.
If the insurance commissioner reports to the department that he or she has cause to believe that a hospital has engaged in a pattern of violations of RCW 48.49.020 or 48.49.030, and the report is substantiated after investigation, the department may levy a fine upon the hospital in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars per violation and take other formal or informal disciplinary action as permitted under the authority of the department.
[ 2019 c 427 § 18.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2019 c 427: See RCW 48.49.003 and 48.49.900.