Washington State Board of Health

Washington State Board of Health

COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee Request

October 13, 2020

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Overview

? Summary of Request ? Board's Authority ? Additional Considerations ? Next Steps

Washington State Board of Health

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Summary of Request

? Board received a request described as a petition for rulemaking on August 12, 2020, asking the State Board of Health and Department of Health to convene an emergency committee regarding COVID-19.

? The request stated that a forum is needed for health practitioners to share their existing effective treatment protocols to improve outcomes now, rather than waiting for a safe and effective vaccine.

? Upon review of the materials, Board staff ? in consultation with the Board's legal counsel ? determined the request did not require rulemaking.

? The Board is being asked today to consider the formation a committee regarding COVID-19 treatment protocols.

Washington State Board of Health

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Board's Authority

RCW 43.20.050

? The Board may advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health regarding health policy issues that pertain to the Department of Health and the state.

? The Board uses technical advisory committees (TACs) for activities such as: ? Candidate condition recommendations for the state's newborn screen panel. ? Providing input on proposed rule language.

Washington State Board of Health

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Board's Authority

? The Board does not have authority over health care provider scope of practice, including treatment of disease.

? Health care providers determine the use of treatment protocols within the statutory scope of practice of their profession based on their professional expertise.

? Health care providers are licensed and regulated by the Department and health professional boards and commissions.

? Formation of a TAC regarding COVID-19 treatment would be limited to providing a recommendation to the Secretary of Health regarding health policy.

Washington State Board of Health

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Additional Considerations

Resources and capacity to support a new TAC

? The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the public health system. Many state agencies, including the Department of Health, have had to shift resources away from normal work activities to provide much needed assistance with COVID response efforts.

? Resource limitations have already impacted the ability to quickly convene a TAC for Orthinine Transcarbamylase Deficiency, a candidate condition for the newborn screen panel, which the Board approved at its August meeting. Staff estimate that this TAC is unable to convene until spring 2021.

Washington State Board of Health

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Next Steps

? The Board may wish to take this opportunity to consider and discuss whether to convene a technical advisory committee regarding COVID-19 treatment protocols.

? If the Board elects to convene this committee, staff will work with the Department to determine purpose, scope, membership, timeline, and resources for this work.

Washington State Board of Health

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Kaitlyn Donahoe

Policy Advisor Washington State Board of Health Kaitlyn.Donahoe@sboh. (360) 584-6737

Washington State Board of Health

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