The proposed bill aims to enhance transparency in the communication of credentials between health care professionals and patients. It emphasizes the importance of clear identification of health care providers' qualifications to prevent misunderstandings that could undermine patient trust and care quality. To achieve this, the bill mandates that health care license holders must wear visible identification badges displaying their names and credentials during patient interactions. Additionally, any advertisement for health care services must include the type of credential held by the provider. The bill also introduces new sections to various chapters of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to enforce these requirements across different health care settings, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult family homes, and ambulatory surgical facilities.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to incorporate these new transparency measures and establishes that violations of these requirements will be considered unprofessional conduct. It specifies that health profession boards and commissions cannot deviate from the established requirements, ensuring uniformity in the application of these regulations. The bill reflects a legislative intent to protect patients by promoting clarity regarding the qualifications of their health care providers, thereby fostering informed decision-making in patient care.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 48.43.005, 18.57.031, 18.71.021