AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

August 10, 2004

ADSA: BH #2004-015
WRITTEN CONSULTATION

Dear Boarding Home Provider:

The process used by Residential Care Services (RCS) staff to document consultation has been revised. The revisions to the process include the changes in documentation of deficiencies as addressed in SSB 6160, which became effective March 26, 2004. The bill added a new section to RCW 18.20.110 to include criteria for documentation of a deficiency as a consultation in boarding homes.

A consultation provided for a first-time deficiency that results in minimal or no harm to residents will be documented on a cover letter. The cover letter will contain a regulatory reference and a brief description (one or two sentences), summarizing the deficient practice. All consultations will be recorded in the BH tracking system as a deficiency. BH licensors will implement the revised process beginning August 16, 2004.

If you have further questions regarding the revisions to the process for documentation

of deficiencies, please refer to the Enforcement Principles and Procedures for Documentation of Deficiencies online at
http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/bh.htm.
We appreciate your continued commitment to providing quality care.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services

cc: RCS Regional Administrators