AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

February 28, 2003

ADSA: AFH #2003-001
INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WORKING UNDER SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR SURRENDERED LICENSES/REGISTRATIONS

Dear Adult Family Home Provider:

Recently we were alerted to a situation in which a home had not been notified by the Department of Health (DOH) or the individual health care provider that disciplinary action had been taken against the individual’s license. Because adult family homes are responsible for the health and safety of the residents, they must ensure that licensed individuals have valid and current licenses/registrations.

The DOH is responsible for determining whether an individual health care provider adheres to the statues and rules specific to their profession and under the Regulation of Health Professions- Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.79. RCW. After investigating an allegation and determining that the individual health care provider has violated the statutes and rules of their specific profession, disciplinary action may be taken. The following actions taken by the DOH may include but are not limited to:

• Revocation of the license
• Suspension of the license
• Restriction or limitation of the practice

When a license is "revoked, suspended or surrendered" the individual health care provider may not legally work under the previously obtained license or registration.

Individual health care providers who have had disciplinary action taken against their license or registration are notified by phone and by mail. It is their responsibility to notify their employer of the action taken against their license.

• Adult family home providers are responsible for providing staff that are competent and that the home is in compliance with all applicable state laws. (WAC 388-76-655)

The DOH has determined that publication of the Washington State Register is the official public notice regarding disciplinary actions. In the past this occurred by printed lists. We have been notified that the printed lists are no longer routinely being mailed to the public.

This information can now be accessed by:

• Viewing the 2003 DOH news releases online at http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2003_News/2003news.htm; or
• Calling the DOH Health Professions Quality Assurance Division (HPQAD) Automated License Verification System at (360) 664-4111 and keying in the individual’s license number, if known
• Calling the DOH HPQAD directly at (360) 236-4700.
  
  The information on the website is not cumulative. It only lists the recent disciplinary actions taken. According to the DOH, within the next three months the website will contain a search engine. This will enable providers and the public to search a cumulative list of individual health care providers who have received disciplinary action.

If you experience difficulties with the automated system or website listed above, you will need to contact the Department of Health at (360) 236-4700 for assistance.

If you have any questions regarding the information contained in this letter, contact Cynthia Todd, Program Manager at (360) 725-2488.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services