Critics rap Wash. bill to create QI programs for physicians

Legislation that has been proposed in the state of Washington would create a “quality improvement program” for physicians that would allow the Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission to intervene “in cases of questionable behavior or care, or in cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect there is a quality of care or behavior issue but not unprofessional conduct.” SBH 2139 calls for a quality improvement program that would include nondisciplinary and nonreportable tools for use by the commission at its discretion to resolve issues relating to medical practice.  

However, according to William Heisel, writing on the Reporting on Health website's Off the Record section, the legislation would enable the commission to use a non-disciplinary pathway that would be hidden from public view. Other opponents include the Consumers Union and the Washington Advocates for Patient Safety, which co-wrote a letter last month voicing their opposition to SBH 2139 unless it is amended to make the “nondisciplinary resolution” of complaints and physician problems a part of the public record at the state and national level.

Source: USC Annenberg Reporting on Health, Washington Advocates for Patient Safety