WA State Department of Health, Office of Contracts and Procurement

The meeting included discussions on the remaining meetings of the year being virtual, the requirement for new photo IDs, and a review of performance measures, particularly the disposition and closure times of cases. The temporary appointments of doctors Curtis and Brown to panel A were noted, pending permanent appointments by the governor. The resignations of commissioners Candace Rivera and Warren were acknowledged, with tributes from fellow members. The consent agenda was accepted with an addition regarding rule making for allopathic physicians.

The meeting included discussions and reports from various committees. The chair reported on the CMT, and the nominating committee presented their nominations for chair and vice-chair positions. There was a discussion regarding a request from Russo CME. The policy committee discussed practitioners exhibiting disruptive behavior, panel composition, and a review procedure for updating the quarterly newsletter. A lengthy discussion was held regarding physician assistants and anesthesia, with plans for further rulemaking sessions and discussions.

The workshop discussed proposed rule changes regarding physician assistants, including updates to align with current industry and national standards, clearer rule language, and incorporation of substitute house bill 2378. The discussion included changes to definitions, practice agreements, and the removal of certain sections related to osteopathic physician assistants. The use of gloves and AIDS education were also mentioned as topics to be addressed.

The rules workshop is to solicit comments for the proposed rule regarding telemedicine. The discussion includes proposed edits to the definition of store and forward technology, telemedicine, and the practitioner-patient relationship. Concerns were raised regarding the inclusion of telephone-only communication in the definition of telemedicine, especially for establishing care relationships versus follow-up care. The need for electronic health records (EHR) for store and forward technology was clarified, emphasizing that the rule does not mandate subscribing to any specific service.

The rules workshop discussed chapter 246-918 WAC, concerning physician assistants, as well as Substitute House Bill 2378. The discussion included the draft language for whack 246-918-055 practice agreements, specifically addressing the administration of general anesthesia or intrathecal anesthesia. Stakeholders and PA commissioners considered comments and language adaptations related to the administration of anesthesia, distinguishing between general anesthesia and surgical procedures. Clarifications were sought regarding the need for a distinct clause separating general comments from specific details about general and intrathecal anesthesia.