(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 web site 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. The
department of health shall annually compile the evaluations in a
report to the legislature.
(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.
[2004 c 261 § 2.]