Washington Sedation Regulations & Resources

State Regulation Resources for Washington

Source	Type of Guidance	Impact	Guidance*
Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission	Nursing Commission Position Statement (07/05)	RNs, LPNs	Scope of Practice for the Registered Nurse in the Administration of Procedural Sedation and the Management of Patients Receiving of Procedural Sedation (7-13-05) The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission affirms that it is within the role and scope of practice for the registered nurse (RN) to administer procedural sedation (defined here as conscious sedation), and to manage patients who are receiving and recovering from procedural sedation. Further, the Commission believes that this role is beyond the scope of practice for the licensed practical nurse or the tasks allowed for unlicensed assistive personnel. Read the Nursing Commission Position Statement
Washington State Legislature	Washington Administrative Code – Title 246, Chapter 330 (04/09)	MDs, RNs, CRNAs	Ambulatory surgical facilities: Anesthesia services (5-8-2009) An ambulatory surgical facility must: Adopt and implement policies and procedures that: Identify the types of anesthesia and sedation that may be used; Identify areas where each type of anesthesia and sedation may be used; and Define the staff qualifications and oversight for administering each type of anesthesia and sedation used in the facility. Use facility policies and procedures which define standards of care; and Assure emergency equipment, supplies and services are immediately available in all areas where anesthesia is used. Read Chapter 246-330-215 WAC
Other State Resources
Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission Washington Nursing Practice Guide Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 18.79: Nursing Care Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 246-840: Practical and Registered Nursing Washington State Nurses Association Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission Washington Board of Osteopathic Medicine Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists

*This page last updated March 31, 2010. The summaries, links and other materials provided on this page are for informational purposes only, may not be comprehensive or applicable to your situation, and nothing on this website constitutes medical, nursing or legal advice. Other rules or regulations may apply. Please consult a lawyer to determine compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Please consult the Washington State Board of Nursing or other appropriate medical professionals or administrators before administering anesthetic or sedative products, to determine proper conduct in your particular situation, to assess currentness of regulations, and to comply with individual facility guidelines and policies.