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Commission Connection

COVID Kiosk
Three Things You Need to Know:?

1) Department of Health unveils kiosks that offer free COVID-19 and flu tests ? More Information [ [link removed] ]

2) If you missed the WMC 2024 Legislative Session Update ? the recording can be viewed here [ [link removed] ]

3) The Washington Medical Commission (Commission) is currently accepting applications [ [link removed] ] to fill upcoming vacancies.





QUICK FACT

The WMC has a?FAQ library [ [link removed] ] which hosts a variety of topics including How to File a Complaint and Pain Management

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MEeting
Policy: Interested Parties Meeting

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the WMC will hold a Policy: Interested Parties meeting beginning at 10 am. The meeting will be held virtually via Teams. Register to attend this meeting here:?WMC Policy: Interested Parties [ [link removed] ]

The purpose of this meeting is to allow anyone to comment on and suggest changes to the WMC?s policies, guidance documents, procedures, and interpretive statements. The WMC encourages open discussion on the items on the agenda. Please submit your comments [email protected]?by March 20, 2024, at 5 pm. The agenda, as well as the draft documents to be discussed, can be found on our Policy Meetings page [ [link removed] ].


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opioid
Electronic Prescriptions and Cyberattacks

Pharmacies nationwide, including some CVS stores, are facing ongoing delays filling prescriptions following a February 21, 2024 cyber-attack on a healthcare software provider. The provider systems are down for the seventh straight day after the cyber attack as of 10 a.m. February 27, 2024. The breach affected military clinics and hospitals worldwide. Doctors are likely to see an increased number of calls, upset patients, and delays. At this time, practitioners do have alternatives.

While?RCW 69.50.312 [ [link removed] ]?requires that prescriptions for controlled substances be electronically communicated to a pharmacy, there is an exception to this requirement ?when the electronic system used for the communication of prescription information is unavailable due to a temporary technological or electronic failure.? This would be a qualifying time under this section of law.

Practitioners should remember that paper prescriptions must be on tamper resistant prescription pads. In addition, the law states that a pharmacist who receives a written, oral, or faxed prescription is not required to verify that the prescription properly meets any exemptions under this section. Pharmacists may continue to dispense and deliver medications from otherwise valid written, oral, or faxed prescriptions.


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*Health Equity Continuing Education*

The department has implemented Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5229. ESSB 5229 requires that health care professionals, subject to continuing education requirements, complete health equity continuing education training. This training must be taken at least once every four years. The department, in consultation with health care boards and commissions, was required to adopt model rules. These model rules establish the minimum standards for health equity continuing education training courses. Learn More [ [link removed] ]

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Upcoming Events

*WMC Personal Appearances*
March 7, 2024
10:00am to 12:00pm

Olympia, WA
More Information [ [link removed] ]

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*WMC Policy: Interested Parties*

March 21, 2024
10:00am to 11:00am

Virtual Registration [ [link removed] ]

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*WMC Policy Committee *
April 11, 2024
10:00am to 11:00am
Virtual Registration [ [link removed] ]

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*WMC Business Meeting*
April 26, 2024
9:00am to 11:00am
Virtual Registration [ [link removed] ]

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CONTACT US

Washington Medical Commission.?

PO Box 47866?

Olympia, WA 98504-7866?

Phone: 360-236-2750?

WMC.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]

[email protected]

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QUICK LINKS

File a complaint? [ [link removed] ]

FAQs [ [link removed] ]

Licenses Recently Granted [ [link removed] ]

News and Announcements? [ [link removed] ]

Pain Management Resources [ [link removed] ]

Request A Speaker [ [link removed] ]

Search for a MD or PA license [ [link removed] ]


ABOUT THE COMMISSION?

Your WA Medical Commission (WMC) currently regulates about 34,000 licenses, more than 3,000 of which are Physician Assistants.?

The WMC is composed of 21 governor-appointed members, including:


* 13 physicians, one from each congressional district and three at-large positions
* Six public members
* Two physician assistants.

The WMC also employs staff based in Tumwater and Spokane, WA. The professional staff includes attorneys and physicians.?

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS?

We provide speakers and subject matter experts on a variety of topics, including:


* Opioid prescribing
* Reduction of medical errors
* Patient rights
* Patient safety
* Effective communication
* General who we are and what we do

We are also happy to work with you to design an event or webinar. Email us <[email protected]> for more information.















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