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Chapter 246-101 WAC

Last Update: 12/17/21

NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONS

WAC Sections

PART I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
HTMLPDF246-101-005Purpose and scope.
HTMLPDF246-101-010Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms.
HTMLPDF246-101-011Reporting of patient ethnicity, race, and preferred language information.
HTMLPDF246-101-015Requests for additional information or provisional notification and submission of specimen.
PART II: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSHEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
HTMLPDF246-101-101Notifiable conditionsHealth care providers and health care facilities.
HTMLPDF246-101-105DutiesHealth care providers and health care facilities.
HTMLPDF246-101-110Means of notificationHealth care providers and health care facilities.
HTMLPDF246-101-115Content of case reportsHealth care providers and health care facilities.
HTMLPDF246-101-120Handling confidential informationHealth care providers and health care facilities.
PART III: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSLABORATORIES AND LABORATORY DIRECTORS
HTMLPDF246-101-200Rapid screening testing.
HTMLPDF246-101-201Notifiable conditionsLaboratories.
HTMLPDF246-101-205DutiesLaboratory directors.
HTMLPDF246-101-210Means of specimen submissionLaboratory directors and laboratories.
HTMLPDF246-101-215Content of documentation accompanying specimen submissionLaboratory directors.
HTMLPDF246-101-220Means of notificationLaboratory directors.
HTMLPDF246-101-225Content of laboratory reportsLaboratory directors.
HTMLPDF246-101-230Handling confidential informationLaboratory directors.
PART IV: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSDUTIES OF OTHERS
HTMLPDF246-101-405DutiesVeterinarians.
HTMLPDF246-101-410DutiesFood establishments.
HTMLPDF246-101-415DutiesChild care facilities.
HTMLPDF246-101-420DutiesSchools.
HTMLPDF246-101-425DutiesThe general public.
PART V: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSLOCAL HEALTH JURISDICTIONS
HTMLPDF246-101-505DutiesLocal health officer or the local health jurisdiction.
HTMLPDF246-101-510Means of notificationLocal health officer or local health jurisdiction.
HTMLPDF246-101-513Content of notifications, investigation reports, and outbreak reportsLocal health officer.
HTMLPDF246-101-515Handling confidential informationLocal health officers and local health jurisdictions.
HTMLPDF246-101-520Special conditionsAIDS and HIVLocal health officers and local health jurisdictions.
HTMLPDF246-101-525Special conditionInfluenzaLocal health jurisdictions.
PART VI: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
HTMLPDF246-101-605DutiesDepartment.
HTMLPDF246-101-610Handling of confidential information and information exempt from public disclosureState health officer and department.
HTMLPDF246-101-615Data dissemination and notificationDepartment.
HTMLPDF246-101-630Special conditionAntibiotic resistant diseaseDepartment.
HTMLPDF246-101-635Special conditionsAIDS and HIVDepartment.
HTMLPDF246-101-640Special condition—Birth defects.
PART VII: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSDEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
HTMLPDF246-101-705DutiesDepartment of labor and industries.
HTMLPDF246-101-710Handling of confidential informationDepartment of labor and industries.
HTMLPDF246-101-715Data dissemination and notificationDepartment of labor and industries.
HTMLPDF246-101-730Special condition—Hospitalized burns.
PART VIII: NOTIFIABLE CONDITIONSDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
HTMLPDF246-101-805DutiesDepartment of agriculture.
HTMLPDF246-101-810Content of animal case reportsDepartment of agriculture.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
246-101-001Provisions of general applicability. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-001, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130.
246-101-301Notifiable conditions and health care facilities. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-301, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125. WSR 05-03-055, § 246-101-301, filed 1/11/05, effective 2/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545, 70.24.125, 70.28.010 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-301, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130.
246-101-305Duties of the health care facility. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-305, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-305, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130.
246-101-310Means of notification. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-310, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125, 70.28.010 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-310, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130.
246-101-315Content of notifications. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-315, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545, 70.24.125, 70.28.010 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-315, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130.
246-101-320Handling of case reports and medical information. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-320, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-320, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-401Notifiable conditions and the responsibilities and duties of others. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-401, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-501Notifiable conditions and local health departments. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-501, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-601Notifiable conditions and the department of health. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-601, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-620Requirements for notification to the department of labor and industries. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545, 70.24.125, 70.28.010 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-620, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-625Content of notifications to the department of labor and industries. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-625, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-625, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-701Notifiable conditions and the department of labor and industries. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-701, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-701, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-720Requirements for notification to local health departments. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-720, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.
246-101-725Requirements for notification to the department of health. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-725, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-725, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.] Repealed by WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050.


PDF246-101-005

Purpose and scope.

(1) The purpose of this chapter is to provide critical information to public health authorities to aid them in protecting and improving the public's health through prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious conditions. Public health authorities use the information gathered under this chapter to take appropriate action including, but not limited to:
(a) Treating ill persons;
(b) Providing preventive therapies for individuals who came into contact with infectious agents;
(c) Investigating and halting outbreaks;
(d) Removing harmful health exposures from the environment;
(e) Assessing broader health-related patterns, including historical trends, geographic clustering, and risk factors; and
(f) Redirecting program activities and developing policies based on broader health-related patterns.
(2) This chapter establishes notification requirements and standards for conditions that pose a threat to public health consistent with the purpose as established in this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-005, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-005, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-010

Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms.

The definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) "Animal case" means an animal, alive or dead, with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of a notifiable condition in Table Agriculture-1 of WAC 246-101-805 made by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 18.92 RCW, veterinary medical facility licensed under chapter 18.92 RCW, or veterinary laboratory as defined under chapter 16.70 RCW based on clinical criteria, or laboratory criteria, or both.
(2) "Animal case report" means the data and other supporting information submitted by the Washington state department of agriculture to the department under WAC 246-101-810 for an individual animal with a notifiable condition.
(3) "Associated death" means a death resulting directly or indirectly from a case of the specified condition, with no period of complete recovery between the onset of the condition and death.
(4) "Blood lead level" means a measurement of lead content in whole blood.
(5) "Board" means the Washington state board of health.
(6) "Business day" means any day that the department is open for business.
(7) "Carrier" means a person harboring a specific infectious agent without developing symptoms and serving as a potential source of infection to others.
(8) "Case" means a person, alive or dead, with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of a condition made by a health care provider, health care facility, or laboratory based on clinical criteria, or laboratory criteria, or both, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definitions.
(9) "Case report" means the data and other supporting information submitted by a health care provider or health care facility to public health authorities under WAC 246-101-115 for an individual patient with a notifiable condition.
(10) "Communicable disease" means an infectious disease that can be transmitted from a person, animal, or object to a person by direct or indirect means including, but not limited to, transmission through an intermediate host or vector, food, water, or air.
(11) "Condition" means an infectious or noninfectious condition as these terms are defined in this chapter.
(12) "Department" or "DOH" means the Washington state department of health.
(13) "Health care-associated infection" means a localized or systemic condition that results from adverse reaction to the presence of an infectious agent or its toxins and that was not present or incubating at the time of admission to the health care facility.
(14) "Health care facility" means:
(a) Assisted living facilities licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW;
(b) Birthing centers licensed under chapter 18.46 RCW;
(c) Nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW;
(d) Hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW;
(e) Adult family homes licensed under chapter 70.128 RCW;
(f) Ambulatory surgical facilities licensed under chapter 70.230 RCW;
(g) Private establishments licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW;
(h) Enhanced service facilities licensed under chapter 70.97 RCW;
(i) Clinics, or other settings where one or more health care providers practice; and
(j) In reference to a sexually transmitted infection, other settings as defined in chapter 70.24 RCW.
(15) "Health care provider" means any person having direct or supervisory responsibility for the delivery of health care whose scope of practice allows for diagnosis and treatment of notifiable conditions and who is:
(a) Licensed or certified in this state under Title 18 RCW; or
(b) Military personnel providing health care within the state regardless of licensure.
(16) "Immediately" means without delay, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
(a) For health care providers and health care facilities, immediately means at the time a case is identified;
(b) For laboratories, immediately means upon receiving a presumptive or final test result; or
(c) For state agencies and local health jurisdictions, immediately means upon receiving notification of a case.
(17) "Infection control measures" means the management of an infected person, or of a person suspected to be infected, and others in a manner to prevent transmission of the infectious agent. Infection control measures include, but are not limited to, isolation and quarantine.
(18) "Infectious condition" means a disease caused by a pathogenic organism such as bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, or infectious agent, and includes communicable disease and zoonotic disease.
(19) "Influenza, novel" or "influenza virus, novel" means a human infection with an influenza A virus subtype that is different from currently circulating human influenza subtypes. Novel subtypes include, but are not limited to, H2, H5, H7, and H9 subtypes.
(20) "Institutional review board" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70.02.010.
(21) "Investigation report" means the data and other supporting information submitted by a local health jurisdiction to the department under WAC 246-101-513(2) for an individual patient with a notifiable condition.
(22) "Isolation" means the separation of infected or contaminated persons or animals from others to prevent or limit the transmission of the infectious agent or contaminant from those infected or contaminated to those who are susceptible to disease or who may spread the infectious agent or contaminant to others.
(23) "Laboratory" means any facility licensed as a test site or medical test site under chapter 70.42 RCW and chapter 246-338 WAC, including any laboratory that is granted a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-Waiver.
(24) "Laboratory director" means the person, or person's designee, by whatever title known, having the administrative responsibility for a laboratory.
(25) "Laboratory report" means the data and other supporting information submitted by a laboratory director to public health authorities under WAC 246-101-225 for an individual patient with a notifiable condition.
(26) "Local health jurisdiction" or "LHJ" means a county health department under chapter 70.05 RCW, city-county health department under chapter 70.08 RCW, or health district under chapter 70.46 RCW.
(27) "Local health officer" means the legally qualified physician who has been appointed as the health officer for the local health jurisdiction under chapter 70.05 RCW, or their designee.
(28) "MERS" means Middle East respiratory syndrome.
(29) "Noninfectious condition" means a disease or health concern that may lead to disease caused by nonpathogenic factors.
(30) "Notifiable condition" means a condition identified in Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101, Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, or Table Agriculture-1 of WAC 246-101-805, a case of which requires notification to public health authorities under this chapter; or a condition designated by the local health officer as notifiable within their jurisdiction under WAC 246-101-505 (4)(d). Notifiable condition does not include provisional conditions as defined under WAC 246-101-015.
(31) "Outbreak" means the occurrence of a condition in an area over a given period of time in excess of the expected number of occurrences including, but not limited to, foodborne disease, waterborne disease, and health care-associated infection.
(32) "Outbreak report" means the data and other supporting information about an outbreak that local health jurisdictions submit to the department under WAC 246-101-513(3) following investigation of an outbreak.
(33) "PCR" means polymerase chain reaction.
(34) "Pesticide poisoning" means the disturbance of function, damage to structure, or illness in humans resulting from the inhalation, absorption, ingestion of, or contact with any pesticide.
(35) "Presumptive" means a preliminary test result that has not yet been confirmed as a definitive result.
(36) "Principal health care provider" means the attending health care provider recognized as primarily responsible for diagnosis or treatment of a patient, or in the absence of such, the health care provider initiating diagnostic testing or treatment for the patient.
(37) "Provisional condition" means a condition the department has requested be reported under WAC 246-101-015.
(38) "Public health authorities" includes local health jurisdictions, the department, the department of labor and industries, the department of agriculture, sovereign tribal nations, and tribal epidemiology centers.
(39) "Quarantine" means the limitation of freedom of movement of persons or domestic animals that have been exposed to, or are suspected to have been exposed to, an infectious agent:
(a) For a period of time not longer than the longest usual incubation period of the infectious agent; and
(b) In a way to prevent effective contact with those not exposed.
(40) "Rapid screening test" or "RST" means a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved or authorized test that provides same day results and is suitable for obtaining presumptive test results. RST includes point-of-care testing.
(41) "Reference laboratory" means a laboratory licensed inside or outside of Washington state that receives a specimen from another licensed laboratory and performs one or more tests on that specimen.
(42) "School" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.210.070.
(43) "SARS" means severe acute respiratory syndrome.
(44) "Secretary" means the secretary of the Washington state department of health.
(45) "Secure electronic data transmission" means electronic communication and accounts developed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or compromise of sensitive information including, but not limited to, secure file transfer, secure email, secure facsimile, a health information exchange authorized under RCW 41.05.039, and secure electronic disease surveillance system.
(46) "Secure electronic disease surveillance system" means the secure electronic data transmission system maintained by the department and used by local health jurisdictions to submit notifications, investigation reports, and outbreak reports under this chapter.
(47) "Sexually transmitted disease" or "sexually transmitted infection" means a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic disease or condition which is usually transmitted through sexual contact, including:
(a) Acute pelvic inflammatory disease;
(b) Chancroid;
(c) Chlamydia trachomatis infection;
(d) Genital and neonatal Herpes simplex;
(e) Genital human papilloma virus infection;
(f) Gonorrhea;
(g) Granuloma inguinale;
(h) Hepatitis B infection;
(i) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection;
(j) Lymphogranuloma venereum;
(k) Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU); and
(l) Syphilis.
(48) "Specimen" means material associated or suspected to be associated with a notifiable condition including, but not limited to, isolates, blood, serum, stool, urine, tissue, respiratory secretions, swab, other body fluid, or an environmental sample.
(49) "State health officer" means the person appointed by the secretary under RCW 43.70.020 to serve as statewide health officer, or, in the absence of such appointment, the secretary.
(50) "Veterinarian" means an individual licensed and practicing under provisions of chapter 18.92 RCW.
(51) "Zoonotic disease" means an infectious condition of animals that can cause disease when transmitted to humans.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-010, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.05. [43.20.050] WSR 14-11-009, § 246-101-010, filed 5/8/14, effective 6/8/14; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-010, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-010, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-011

Reporting of patient ethnicity, race, and preferred language information.

(1) Health care providers and health care facilities shall include the patient's ethnicity as defined in subsection (4) of this section, the patient's race as defined in subsection (5) of this section, and the patient's preferred language as defined in subsection (6) of this section when:
(a) Ordering a laboratory test for a notifiable condition under WAC 246-101-105 (6)(a); and
(b) Submitting a case report under WAC 246-101-115.
(2) Laboratory directors shall include the patient's ethnicity as defined in subsection (4) of this section, the patient's race as defined in subsection (5) of this section, and the patient's preferred language as defined in subsection (6) of this section when:
(a) Referring a specimen of a notifiable condition to a reference laboratory for testing under WAC 246-101-205; and
(b) Submitting a specimen to the Washington state public health laboratories under WAC 246-101-215; and
(c) Submitting a laboratory report under WAC 246-101-225.
(3) A local health officer shall include the patient's ethnicity as defined in subsection (4) of this section, the patient's race as defined in subsection (5) of this section, and the patient's preferred language as defined in subsection (6) of this section when submitting an investigation report under WAC 246-101-513.
(4) Patient's ethnicity shall be identified by the patient and reported using one of the following categories:
(a) Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx;
(b) Non-Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx;
(c) Patient declined to respond; or
(d) Unknown.
(5) Patient's race shall be identified by the patient and reported using one or more of the following categories; if the patient self-identifies as more than one race, each race shall be reported:
(a) Afghan;
(b) Afro-Caribbean;
(c) Alaska Native;
(d) American Indian;
(e) Arab;
(f) Asian;
(g) Asian Indian;
(h) Bamar/Burman/Burmese;
(i) Bangladeshi;
(j) Bhutanese;
(k) Black or African American;
(l) Central American;
(m) Cham;
(n) Chicano/a or Chicanx;
(o) Chinese;
(p) Congolese;
(q) Cuban;
(r) Dominican;
(s) Egyptian;
(t) Eritrean;
(u) Ethiopian;
(v) Fijian;
(w) Filipino;
(x) First Nations;
(y) Guamanian or Chamorro;
(z) Hmong/Mong;
(aa) Indigenous-Latino/a or Indigenous-Latinx;
(bb) Indonesian;
(cc) Iranian;
(dd) Iraqi;
(ee) Japanese;
(ff) Jordanian;
(gg) Karen;
(hh) Kenyan;
(ii) Khmer/Cambodian;
(jj) Korean;
(kk) Kuwaiti;
(ll) Lao;
(mm) Lebanese;
(nn) Malaysian;
(oo) Marshallese;
(pp) Mestizo;
(qq) Mexican/Mexican American;
(rr) Middle Eastern;
(ss) Mien;
(tt) Moroccan;
(uu) Native Hawaiian;
(vv) Nepalese;
(ww) North African;
(xx) Oromo;
(yy) Pacific Islander;
(zz) Pakistani;
(aaa) Puerto Rican;
(bbb) Romanian/Rumanian;
(ccc) Russian;
(ddd) Samoan;
(eee) Saudi Arabian;
(fff) Somali;
(ggg) South African;
(hhh) South American;
(iii) Syrian;
(jjj) Taiwanese;
(kkk) Thai;
(lll) Tongan;
(mmm) Ugandan;
(nnn) Ukrainian;
(ooo) Vietnamese;
(ppp) White;
(qqq) Yemeni;
(rrr) Other race;
(sss) Patient declined to respond; and
(ttt) Unknown.
(6) Patient's preferred language shall be identified by the patient and reported using one of the following categories:
(a) Amharic;
(b) Arabic;
(c) Balochi/Baluchi;
(d) Burmese;
(e) Cantonese;
(f) Chinese (unspecified);
(g) Chamorro;
(h) Chuukese;
(i) Dari;
(j) English;
(k) Farsi/Persian;
(l) Fijian;
(m) Filipino/Pilipino;
(n) French;
(o) German;
(p) Hindi;
(q) Hmong;
(r) Japanese;
(s) Karen;
(t) Khmer/Cambodian;
(u) Kinyarwanda;
(v) Korean;
(w) Kosraean;
(x) Lao;
(y) Mandarin;
(z) Marshallese;
(aa) Mixteco;
(bb) Nepali;
(cc) Oromo;
(dd) Panjabi/Punjabi;
(ee) Pashto;
(ff) Portuguese;
(gg) Romanian/Rumanian;
(hh) Russian;
(ii) Samoan;
(jj) Sign languages;
(kk) Somali;
(ll) Spanish/Castilian;
(mm) Swahili/Kiswahili;
(nn) Tagalog;
(oo) Tamil;
(pp) Telugu;
(qq) Thai;
(rr) Tigrinya;
(ss) Ukrainian;
(tt) Urdu;
(uu) Vietnamese;
(vv) Other language;
(ww) Patient declined to respond; or
(xx) Unknown.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-011, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23.]



PDF246-101-015

Requests for additional information or provisional notification and submission of specimen.

(1) For notifiable conditions in this chapter, the state health officer may request additional data components to be submitted with each case report, laboratory report, specimen submittal, investigation report, outbreak report, or animal case report; submission of additional laboratory test results; and submission of additional specimens.
(2) For a condition the state health officer determines should be provisionally reported, the state health officer may request submission of case reports, laboratory reports, investigation reports, outbreak reports, and animal case reports; and submission of specimens.
(3) The state health officer may request information under subsection (1) or (2) of this section when they:
(a) Determine additional information in case reports, laboratory reports, specimen submittals, investigation reports, outbreak reports, or animal case reports, or additional submission of specimens for a notifiable condition is needed in order to properly prevent and control the condition; or
(b) Determine that provisional submission of case reports, laboratory reports, investigation reports, outbreak reports, animal case reports, or specimens for a condition other than a notifiable condition is likely to contribute to understanding the condition, provide information necessary to prevent and control the condition, and improve public health.
(4) The state health officer shall notify the board and local health officers of their request and, as applicable, health care providers, laboratory directors, health care facilities, and the department of agriculture of the request. The notification must include the:
(a) Determination required under subsection (3) of this section including documentation supporting the determination; and
(b) As applicable, the requested:
(i) Test results;
(ii) Timeline for notification;
(iii) Public health authority to be notified;
(iv) Content of notification;
(v) Means of notification;
(vi) Specimen submission;
(vii) Timeline for specimen submission; and
(viii) Specimen submittal documentation for the condition.
(5) Within forty months of the state health officer's designation of a provisional condition or additional information for a notifiable condition, the state health officer shall:
(a) Discontinue the request made under subsection (1) or (2) of this section; or
(b) Request that the board consider revising this chapter to make the request made under subsection (1) or (2) of this section a rule requirement, and provide an estimate of the probable benefits and probable costs.
(6) If the state health officer chooses to discontinue their request, the state health officer shall notify the board and local health officers and, as applicable, health care providers, laboratory directors, health care facilities, and the department of agriculture that the applicable provisional condition or requested additions to the notifiable condition have been discontinued.
(7) If the state health officer makes a request to the board under subsection (5)(b) of this section and the board determines that it will not revise this chapter, the state health officer's request for additional information, specimen submittal, or provisional notification under subsection (4) of this section is automatically discontinued and the board or state health officer shall provide notice to local health officers and, as applicable, health care providers, laboratory directors, health care facilities, and the department of agriculture that the applicable provisional condition or requested additions to the notifiable condition has been discontinued.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-015, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-015, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125. WSR 05-03-055, § 246-101-015, filed 1/11/05, effective 2/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-015, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-101

Notifiable conditionsHealth care providers and health care facilities.

(1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Local health jurisdiction" means where the patient resides, or, in the event the patient's residence cannot be determined, the local health jurisdiction in which the patient received treatment.
(b) "Unexplained critical illness or death" means a severe illness or death with infectious hallmarks, but no known etiology, in a previously healthy person one to forty-nine years of age excluding those with chronic medical conditions such as malignancy, diabetes, AIDS, or cirrhosis.
(2) The conditions identified in Table HC-1 are notifiable to public health authorities under this table and this chapter.
Table HC-1 (Conditions Notifiable by Health Care Providers and Health Care Facilities)
Notifiable Condition (Agent)
Laboratory Confirmation Required Before Submitting Case Report
Time Frame for Notification from Identification of a Case
Who Must Be Notified
Who Must Report: Health Care Providers (Providers) or Health Care Facilities (Facilities)
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
 
Within 3 business days
DOH (for facilities) and LHJ (for providers)
Both
Amebic meningitis
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Anaplasmosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis and confirmed Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis only - Do not report all Bacillus cereus)
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Arboviral disease (acute disease only) including, but not limited to:
     Chikungunya
     Dengue
     Eastern and western equine
        encephalitis
     Japanese encephalitis
     La Crosse encephalitis
     Powassan virus infection
     St. Louis encephalitis
     West Nile virus infection
     Zika virus infection
See also "Yellow fever"
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Asthma, occupational
 
Within 30 days
Washington state department of labor and industries (L&I)
Both
Babesiosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Baylisascariasis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Birth defects - Abdominal wall defects (inclusive of gastroschisis and omphalocele)
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Birth defects - Autism spectrum disorders
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Both
Birth defects - Cerebral palsy
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Both
Birth defects - Down syndrome
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Birth defects - Alcohol related birth defects
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Both
Birth defects - Hypospadias
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Birth defects - Limb reductions
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Birth defects - Neural tube defects (inclusive of anencephaly and spina bifida)
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Birth defects - Oral clefts (inclusive of cleft lip with/without cleft palate)
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Blood lead level
RST results
(See WAC 246-101-200)
 
Providers and facilities performing blood lead level RST shall report as a laboratory and comply with the requirements of WAC 246-101-201 through 246-101-230.
Botulism, foodborne, infant, and wound
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Brucellosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Campylobacteriosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Cancer (See chapter 246-102 WAC)
 
 
 
 
Candida auris infection or colonization
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections limited to:
     Klebsiella species
     E. coli
     Enterobacter species
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Chagas disease
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Chancroid
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Cholera (Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139)
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Coccidioidomycosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Coronavirus infection (severe communicable)
     SARS-associated coronavirus
     MERS-associated coronavirus
     Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Coronavirus infection (severe communicable)
     Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
RST results
(See WAC 246-101-200)
 
Providers and facilities performing Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) RST shall report as a laboratory and comply with the requirements of WAC 246-101-201 through 246-101-230.
Cryptococcus gattii or undifferentiated Cryptococcus species (i.e., Cryptococcus not identified as C. neoformans)
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Cryptosporidiosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Cyclosporiasis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Cysticercosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Diphtheria
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Domoic acid poisoning
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
E. coli (See "Shiga toxin-producing E. coli")
 
 
 
 
Echinococcosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Ehrlichiosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Giardiasis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Gonorrhea
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Granuloma inguinale
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Gunshot wounds (nonfatal)
 
Within 30 days
DOH
Facilities
Haemophilus influenzae (invasive disease, children under 5 years of age)
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Hantaviral infection
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis A (acute infection)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis B (acute infection)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis B, report pregnancy in hepatitis B virus infected patients (including carriers)
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis B (chronic infection) - Initial diagnosis, and previously unreported prevalent cases
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis B (perinatal) - Initial diagnosis, and previously unreported cases
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis C (acute infection)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis C (acute infection)
RST results
(See WAC 246-101-200)
 
Providers and facilities performing hepatitis C (acute infection) RST shall report as a laboratory and comply with the requirements of WAC 246-101-201 through 246-101-230.
Hepatitis C (chronic infection)
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis C (perinatal) - Initial diagnosis, and previously unreported cases
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis C (chronic infection)
RST results
(See WAC 246-101-200)
 
Providers and facilities performing hepatitis C (chronic infection) RST shall report as a laboratory and comply with the requirements of WAC 246-101-201 through 246-101-230.
Hepatitis D (acute and chronic infection)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Hepatitis E (acute infection)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Herpes simplex, neonatal and genital (initial infection only)
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Providers
Histoplasmosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
RST results
(See WAC 246-101-200)
 
Providers and facilities performing HIV infection RST shall report as a laboratory and comply with the requirements of WAC 246-101-201 through 246-101-230.
Human prion disease
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, occupational
 
Within 30 days
L&I
Both
Influenza, novel or unsubtypable strain
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Influenza-associated death (laboratory confirmed)
Yes
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Legionellosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Leptospirosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Listeriosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Lyme disease
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Lymphogranuloma venereum
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Malaria
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Measles (rubeola) - Acute disease only
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Meningococcal disease, invasive
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Monkeypox
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Mumps, acute disease only
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Outbreaks and suspected outbreaks
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Paralytic shellfish poisoning
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Pertussis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Pesticide poisoning (hospitalized, fatal, or cluster)
 
Immediately
DOH
Both
Pesticide poisoning (all other)
 
Within 3 business days
DOH
Both
Plague
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Poliomyelitis
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Pregnancy in patient with hepatitis B virus
 
See "Hepatitis B, report pregnancy in hepatitis B virus infected patients (including carriers)"
Psittacosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Q fever
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Rabies (suspect or laboratory confirmed human cases and laboratory confirmed animal cases)
Yes for animal cases
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Rabies, suspected human exposure (suspected human rabies exposures due to a bite from or other exposure to an animal that is suspected of being infected with rabies)
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Relapsing fever (borreliosis)
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Rickettsia infection
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Rubella, acute disease only (including congenital rubella syndrome)
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Salmonellosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Serious adverse reactions to immunizations
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections/enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections
Yes
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Shigellosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Silicosis
 
Within 30 days
L&I
Both
Smallpox
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Syphilis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Taeniasis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Tetanus
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Tick paralysis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Trichinosis
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Tuberculosis disease (confirmed or highly suspicious, i.e., initiation of empiric treatment)
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Tularemia
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Typhus
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Vaccinia transmission
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (not to include vancomycin-intermediate)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Varicella-associated death
 
Within 3 business days
LHJ
Both
Vibriosis (Vibrio species not including Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139)
See Cholera (Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139)
Yes
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Viral hemorrhagic fever
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Yellow fever
 
Immediately
LHJ
Both
Yersiniosis
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
Unexplained critical illness or death
 
Within 24 hours
LHJ
Both
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-101, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-101, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125. WSR 05-03-055, § 246-101-101, filed 1/11/05, effective 2/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-101, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-105

DutiesHealth care providers and health care facilities.

(1) Unless a health care facility has assumed the notification duties of the principal health care provider under subsection (4) of this section, the principal health care provider shall submit case reports:
(a) To the required public health authority under Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101 and the requirements of WAC 246-101-110 and 246-101-115, and this section;
(b) To the local health jurisdiction as required by the local health officer within that health officer's jurisdiction under WAC 246-101-505 (4)(d).
(2) A health care facility shall submit case reports:
(a) To the required public health authority under Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101 and the requirements of WAC 246-101-110 and 246-101-115, and this section that occur or are treated in their facilities.
(b) To the local health jurisdiction as required by the local health officer within that health officer's jurisdiction under WAC 246-101-505 (4)(d).
(3) This section does not require a health care provider or a health care facility to confirm the absence of cases of conditions listed in Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101.
(4) A health care facility may assume the notification requirements established in this chapter for a health care provider practicing within the health care facility.
(5) A health care facility shall not assume the notification requirements established in this chapter for a laboratory that is a component of the health care facility.
(6) Health care providers and health care facilities shall:
(a) Provide the laboratory with the following information for each test ordered for a notifiable condition:
(i) Patient's first and last name;
(ii) Patient's physical address including zip code;
(iii) Patient's date of birth;
(iv) Patient's sex;
(v) Patient's ethnicity, as required in WAC 246-101-011(4);
(vi) Patient's race, as required in WAC 246-101-011(5);
(vii) Patient's preferred language, as required in WAC 246-101-011(6);
(viii) For hepatitis B tests, pregnancy status (pregnant/not pregnant/unknown) of patients twelve to fifty years of age;
(ix) Patient's best contact telephone number;
(x) For blood lead level tests, medicaid status of patients less than seventy-two months of age;
(xi) Requesting health care provider's name;
(xii) Requesting health care provider's phone number;
(xiii) Address where patient received care;
(xiv) Specimen type;
(xv) Specimen collection date; and
(xvi) Condition being tested for.
(b) For specimens associated with a notifiable condition sent to a laboratory outside of Washington state, provide the laboratory with the information under (a) of this subsection, Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, 246-101-220, and 246-101-225.
If the presumptive or final test results from an out-of-state laboratory are consistent with Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, the health care provider or health care facility shall either:
(i) Confirm the laboratory submitted the laboratory report consistent with WAC 246-101-220 and 246-101-225; or
(ii) Submit the presumptive and final test results from the out-of-state laboratory with the case report according to the requirements of this chapter.
(c) Cooperate with public health authorities during investigation of:
(i) A case of a notifiable condition; and
(ii) An outbreak or suspected outbreak.
(d) Maintain an infection control program as described in WAC 246-320-176 for hospitals and WAC 246-330-176 for ambulatory surgical facilities;
(e) Provide adequate and understandable instruction in disease control measures to each patient who has been diagnosed with a case of a communicable disease, and to contacts who may have been exposed to the disease; and
(f) Notify the local health jurisdiction of:
(i) Known barriers that might impede or prevent compliance with disease control measures; and
(ii) Name, address, and other pertinent information for any case or carrier refusing to comply with disease control measures.
(7) Health care providers and health care facilities may provide health information, demographic information, or infectious or noninfectious condition information in addition to the information required under this chapter when the provider or facility determines that the additional information will aid the public health authority in protecting and improving the public's health through prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious conditions.
(8) When a health care provider or health care facility submits information under subsection (7) of this section, they shall submit the information under the requirements of WAC 246-101-110.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-105, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-105, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-105, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-110

Means of notificationHealth care providers and health care facilities.

Health care providers and health care facilities shall:
(1) Submit a case report for each case under Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101, 246-101-115, and this section by secure electronic data transmission;
(2) Submit a case report to the department instead of the local health jurisdiction when:
(a) The local health jurisdiction is closed or representatives of the local health jurisdiction are unavailable:
(i) For immediately notifiable conditions; or
(ii) At the time an outbreak or suspected outbreak of a communicable disease occurs.
(b) The patient who is the subject of the case report resides outside Washington state and is a visitor to Washington state;
(3) Call the public health authority designated for the condition in Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101 immediately and confirm receipt of a case report for conditions designated as:
(a) Immediately notifiable; or
(b) Notifiable within twenty-four hours if the case report is submitted outside of the local health jurisdiction's normal business hours.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-110, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-110, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125, 70.28.010 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-110, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-115

Content of case reportsHealth care providers and health care facilities.

(1) Health care providers and health care facilities shall provide the following information in each case report:
(a) Patient's first and last name;
(b) Patient's physical address including zip code;
(c) Patient's date of birth;
(d) Patient's sex;
(e) Patient's ethnicity, as required in WAC 246-101-011(4);
(f) Patient's race, as required in WAC 246-101-011(5);
(g) Patient's preferred language, as required in WAC 246-101-011(6);
(h) For hepatitis B acute or chronic infection case reports, pregnancy status (pregnant/not pregnant/unknown) of patients twelve to fifty years of age;
(i) Patient's best contact telephone number;
(j) Name of the principal health care provider;
(k) Telephone number of the principal health care provider;
(l) Address where patient received care;
(m) Name of the person providing the report;
(n) Telephone number of the person providing the report;
(o) Diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of the condition; and
(p) Pertinent laboratory results, if available.
(2) Both the local health officer and the state health officer may request additional information of epidemiological or public health value when conducting a case investigation or to otherwise prevent and control a specific notifiable condition.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, 70.104.055, 43.70.545, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-115, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-115, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545, 70.24.125, 70.28.010 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-115, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-120

Handling confidential informationHealth care providers and health care facilities.

(1) Health care providers, health care facilities, and health care facility personnel shall maintain the confidentiality of patient health care information consistent with chapter 70.02 RCW and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
(2) Health care providers and health care facilities shall:
(a) Establish and implement policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality of health care information.
(b) When conducting a clinical HIV research project, report the identity of an individual participating in the project unless:
(i) The project has been approved by an institutional review board; and
(ii) The project has a system in place to remind referring health care providers of notification requirements under this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-120, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-120, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-120, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-200

Rapid screening testing.

An individual or entity including, but not limited to, health care providers and health care facilities, that conduct an RST for any of the following conditions, meets the definition of a laboratory under this chapter, and shall comply with WAC 246-101-201 through 246-101-230:
(1) Blood lead level testing;
(2) Hepatitis C (acute infection);
(3) Hepatitis C (chronic infection);
(4) HIV infection; or
(5) Novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-200, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23.]



PDF246-101-201

Notifiable conditionsLaboratories.

(1) For the purposes of Table Lab-1:
(a) "At least annually" means deidentified negative screening results may be submitted in a single report no less than once per year, but may be submitted more frequently as a single report or as individual screening results.
(b) "Deidentified negative screening result" means an initial test result that indicates the absence of disease, and that has personally identifiable information removed from it using the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Safe Harbor method defined in 45 C.F.R. 164.514. A deidentified negative screening result does not include a negative test result associated with a previous positive test result, such as a negative nucleic acid or viral load test that is performed after a positive antibody or antigen test.
(c) "LHJ" means where the patient resides, or, in the event that patient residence cannot be determined, the local health jurisdiction in which the ordering health care provider practices, or the local health jurisdiction in which the laboratory operates.
(d) "Within two business days" means specimens must be in transit to the Washington state public health laboratories within two business days of:
(i) Completing a test and the specimen being ready for packaging; or
(ii) Receiving a request from a local health jurisdiction or the department, provided the specimen is still available at the time of the request.
(2) This chapter does not require a laboratory to:
(a) Test for agents (conditions) or speciate if the laboratory does not perform the test as part of its normal work. A laboratory director shall only report a condition if it is identified as part of their normal testing protocols; or
(b) Retain specimens indefinitely in anticipation of a request from a local health jurisdiction or the department.
(3) The agents (conditions) in Table Lab-1 are notifiable by a laboratory director as indicated in Table Lab-1 and this chapter.
Table Lab-1 (Conditions Notifiable by Laboratory Directors)
Agent (Condition)
Notification of Results
Specimen Submission to the Washington State Public Health Laboratories
What to Submit in a Laboratory Report
When and Whom to Notify Upon Receiving Presumptive or Final Test Result
What to Submit
When to Submit
Amebic meningitis
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result, if available
Within 2 business days
Anaplasma species (Anaplasmosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result, if available
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Babesia species (Babesiosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result, if available
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
 
Bacillus cereus, biovar anthracis only
Confirmed positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Do not ship specimen
Do not ship specimen
Baylisascaris (Baylisascariasis)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result, if available
Within 2 business days
Blood lead level
Results equal to or greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter for:
  RST
  Venous
Within 2 business days to DOH
N/A
N/A
Results less than 5 micrograms per deciliter for:
  RST
  Venous
Within 30 days to DOH
Bordetella pertussis (Pertussis)
Positive results by:
  Culture or
  Nucleic acid detection ((nucleic acid testing (NAT)) or (nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT))
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
Within 2 business days
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Borrelia burgdorferi or Borrelia mayonii (Lyme disease)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Borrelia hermsii, parkeri, turicatae, miyamotoi, or recurrentis (Relapsing fever, tick- or louse-borne)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Brucella species (Brucellosis)
Positive result by any method excluding Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate, excluding confirmed positive B. melitensis, B. abortus, or B. suis
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
 
Burkholderia mallei (Glanders)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
 
Burkholderia pseudomallei (Melioidosis)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
 
California serogroup viruses, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Campylobacter species (Campylobacteriosis)
Positive result by:
  Culture,
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT), or
  Antigen detection
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Isolate
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
 
Candida auris
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
 
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae:
  Klebsiella species
  E. coli
  Enterobacter species
Positive for known carbapenemase resistance gene (including, but not limited to, KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA-48) demonstrated by nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT), or whole genome sequencing
Positive on a phenotypic test for carbapenemase production including, but not limited to, Metallo-B-lactamase test, modified Hodge test (MHT) (for E. coli and Klebsiella species only), CarbaNP, Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM) or modified CIM (mCIM)
Resistant to any carbapenem including, but not limited to, doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem or meropenem
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
CD4 + counts1, or CD4 + percents2, or both
(patients aged thirteen or older)
All results
Within 30 days to DOH except in King County where this is notifiable to the LHJ
N/A
N/A
Chikungunya virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Chlamydia psittaci (Psittacosis)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Chlamydia trachomatis
Positive and indeterminate result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
N/A
N/A
Chlamydia trachomatis
Deidentified negative screening result
At least annually to DOH
N/A
N/A
Clostridium botulinum (Botulism)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
 
Coccidioides
(Coccidioidomycosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Isolate
Within 2 business days
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Coronavirus
  SARS-associated coronavirus
  MERS-associated coronavirus
  Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Corynebacterium diphtheriae (Diphtheria)
Positive result by:
  Culture or
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
Within 2 business days
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Coxiella burnetii
(Q fever)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours LHJ
Specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Cryptococcus gattii or undifferentiated Cryptococcus species (i.e., Cryptococcus not identified as C. neoformans)
Positive results by any method excluding cryptococcal antigen
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result (excluding serum)
Within 2 business days
Serum
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Cryptosporidium (Cryptosporidiosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Cyclospora cayetanensis (Cyclosporiasis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Dengue virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
E. coli - Refer to "Shiga toxin-producing E. coli"
 
 
 
 
Eastern and western equine encephalitis virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result excluding specimens from viral culture
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Ebola virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive specimen
Within 2 business days
Echinococcus granulosus or E. multilocularis (Echinococcosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Ehrlichia species
(Ehrlichiosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Francisella tularensis (Tularemia)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
 
Giardia duodenalis, G. lamblia, G. intestinalis (Giardiasis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Guanarito virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
Within 2 business days
 
 
 
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
 
Haemophilus influenzae
(children < 5 years of age)
Positive result for specimen from a normally sterile site by:
  Culture or
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Hantavirus including, but not limited to:
  Andes virus
  Bayou virus
  Black Creek Canal virus
  Dobrava-Belgrade virus
  Hantaan virus
  Seoul virus
  Sin nombre virus
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Hepatitis A virus
Positive results for:
  IgM or
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
Hepatocellular enzyme levels to accompany report, if available, for positive IgM results
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Hepatitis B virus
Positive results for:
  IgM anti-HBc,
  HBsAg,
  HBeAg, or
  HBV Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT) either qualitative or quantitative, for example PCR or genotyping
If associated with a positive result listed above, and available:
  Hepatocellular enzyme levels,
  Pregnancy status, and
  Negative IgM anti-HBc result
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Hepatitis C virus
Positive result by any method
Positive and nonpositive results for:
  HCV nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT) for qualitative, quantitative, and genotype tests
If associated with a positive result and available:
  Hepatocellular enzyme levels, Pregnancy status,
  Negative result for IgM anti-HAV, and
  Negative result for IgM anti-HBc
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Hepatitis C virus
Deidentified negative screening result
At least annually to DOH
N/A
N/A
Hepatitis D virus
Positive result by any method
If associated with a positive result and available:
  Hepatocellular enzyme levels
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Hepatitis E virus
Positive result by any method
If associated with a positive result and available:
  Hepatocellular enzyme levels
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Histoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Isolate
Within 2 business days
Serum
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Positive and indeterminate results and subsequent negative results associated with those positive or indeterminate results for the tests below:
  Antibody detection tests (including RST),
  Antigen detection tests (including RST), or
  Viral culture
All HIV nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT) tests:
  Qualitative and quantitative
  Detectable and undetectable
HIV antiviral resistance testing genetic sequences
Within 2 business days to DOH except in King County where this is notifiable to the LHJ
N/A
N/A
 
 
 
 
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Deidentified negative screening result
At least annually to DOH
N/A
N/A
Human prion disease
Positive result by any method excluding Tau protein
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Influenza virus, novel or unsubtypable strain
Positive novel and unsubtypable result
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Japanese encephalitis virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Junin virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
La Crosse encephalitis virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Lassa virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Legionella species (Legionellosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available but respiratory specimen available and associated with a positive test (as in the case of a PCR positive), respiratory specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Leptospira species (Leptospirosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Listeria monocytogenes
(Listeriosis)
Positive result for specimen from a normally sterile site by:
  Culture or
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Lujo virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Machupo virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Marburg virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Measles virus - See "Rubeola (measles virus)"
 
 
 
 
Mumps virus
Positive result for:
  Culture,
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT), or
  IgM
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Specimen associated with positive IgM
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
(Tuberculosis)
Positive result for:
  Culture
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
  Drug susceptibilities (molecular and culture based)
Within 2 business days to DOH
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex positive isolate (earliest available isolate for the patient)
Within 2 business days
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gonorrhea)
Positive and indeterminate result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
N/A
N/A
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gonorrhea)
Deidentified negative screening result
At least annually to DOH
N/A
N/A
Neisseria meningitidis (Meningococcal disease)
Positive result for specimen from a normally sterile site by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate from a normally sterile site
Within 2 business days
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Plasmodium species (Malaria)
Positive results for:
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT),
  Malaria-specific antigens by rapid diagnostic test,
  PCR, or
  Microscopy (thick or thin smear)
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Poliovirus (Poliomyelitis)
IgM positivity; PCR positivity
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Powassan virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Rabies virus
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Rickettsia species including, but not limited to:
  Rickettsia rickettsii
  Rickettsia africae
  Rickettsia conorii
  Rickettsia typhi
  Rickettsia parkeri
  Rickettsia philipii
Positive results by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Rubella
Positive result by:
  Culture,
  IgM, or
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Other specimen
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Rubeola (measles virus)
Positive result by:
  Culture,
  IgM, or
  Nucleic acid detection (NAT or NAAT)
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate and specimen associated with positive culture
Isolate and specimen association with positive NAT or NAAT result
Within 2 business days
Specimen associated with positive IgM
Other specimen
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Sabia virus (Viral hemorrhagic fever)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Salmonella species (Salmonellosis, typhoid fever)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli/enterohemorrhagic E. coli (STEC)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Shigella species (Shigellosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
St. Louis encephalitis virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Taenia solium (Taeniasis or Cysticercosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Treponema pallidum (Syphilis)
Positive and indeterminate result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Treponema pallidum (Syphilis)
Deidentified negative screening result
At least annually to DOH
N/A
N/A
Trichinella species (Trichinellosis)
Positive serologic test for  Trichinella
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease)
Positive result by any method
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Vaccinia
Any request for testing associated with a suspect case
Immediately to LHJ
Any specimen collected from a suspect case
Immediately
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Resistance to vancomycin
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Variola virus (smallpox)
Any request for testing associated with a suspect case
Immediately to LHJ
Specimen collected from a suspect case
Immediately
Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139 (Cholera)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Vibrio species (Vibriosis) not including Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139 (Cholera)
See "Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139 (Cholera)"
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
West Nile virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Yellow fever virus (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Immediately to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days
Yersinia enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. intermedia, Y. fredericksenii, or Y. kristensenii (Yersiniosis)
Positive result by any method
Within 24 hours to LHJ
Isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
Yersinia pestis (Plague)
Positive result by any method
Immediately to LHJ
Presumptive positive isolate
If no isolate available, specimen associated with presumptive positive result
Within 2 business days
Zika virus, acute (Arbovirus)
Positive result by any method excluding IgG
Within 2 business days to LHJ
Specimen associated with positive result
Within 2 business days of request by LHJ or DOH
1
"CD4 + counts" means CD4 + (T4) lymphocyte counts.
2
"CD4 + percents" means CD4 + (T4) percents of total lymphocytes.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-201, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-201, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.24.125. WSR 06-16-117, § 246-101-201, filed 8/1/06, effective 9/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125. WSR 05-03-055, § 246-101-201, filed 1/11/05, effective 2/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-201, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-205

DutiesLaboratory directors.

(1) A laboratory director shall:
(a) Submit laboratory reports:
(i) To the local health jurisdiction or the department as required in Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, and under the requirements of WAC 246-101-220, 246-101-225, and this section; and
(ii) To the local health jurisdiction as required by the local health officer within that health officer's jurisdiction under WAC 246-101-505 (4)(d).
(b) Notify the department of conditions designated as notifiable to the local health jurisdiction when:
(i) A local health jurisdiction is closed or representatives of the local health jurisdiction are unavailable at the time a presumptive or final test result of an immediately notifiable condition occurs; or
(ii) The notifiable test result pertains to a patient who resides outside of and is visiting Washington state as indicated by information provided by the requesting health care provider or health care facility.
(c) Submit specimens required in Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201 under the requirements of WAC 246-101-210 and 246-101-215, and this section;
(d) Cooperate with public health authorities during investigation of:
(i) The circumstances of a case of a notifiable condition; or
(ii) An outbreak or suspected outbreak of disease.
(2) A laboratory director may designate responsibility for working and cooperating with public health authorities to certain employees as long as designated employees are:
(a) Readily available; and
(b) Able to provide requested information in a timely manner.
(3) A laboratory director may refer a specimen of a notifiable condition to a reference laboratory for testing.
(4) When a laboratory director refers a specimen of a notifiable condition to a reference laboratory for testing, the laboratory director shall:
(a) Provide the reference laboratory with Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, 246-101-220, 246-101-225, and this section; and the following information for each specimen:
(i) Patient's first and last name;
(ii) Patient's physical address including zip code;
(iii) Patient's date of birth;
(iv) Patient's sex;
(v) Patient's ethnicity, as required in WAC 246-101-011(4);
(vi) Patient's race, as required in WAC 246-101-011(5);
(vii) Patient's preferred language, as required in WAC 246-101-011(6);
(viii) For hepatitis B virus tests, pregnancy status (pregnant, not pregnant, or unknown) of patients twelve to fifty years of age;
(ix) Patient's best contact telephone number;
(x) For blood lead level tests, medicaid status of patients less than seventy-two months of age;
(xi) Requesting health care provider's name;
(xii) Requesting health care provider's phone number;
(xiii) Address where patient received care;
(xiv) Name of submitting laboratory;
(xv) Telephone number of submitting laboratory;
(xvi) Specimen type;
(xvii) Specimen collection date;
(xviii) Date laboratory received specimen; and
(xix) Test method requested.
(b) Ensure the laboratory report is submitted appropriately either by:
(i) Arranging for the reference laboratory to submit the laboratory report under Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, 246-101-220, and 246-101-225; or
(ii) Submitting the laboratory report under Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201, 246-101-220, and 246-101-225.
(5) A laboratory director may provide health information, demographic information, or infectious or noninfectious condition information in addition to the information required under this chapter when the provider or facility determines that the additional information will aid the appropriate public health authority in protecting and improving the public's health through prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious conditions.
(6) When a laboratory director submits information under subsection (4) of this section, they shall submit the information under the requirements of WAC 246-101-220.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-205, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-205, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-205, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-210

Means of specimen submissionLaboratory directors and laboratories.

(1) A laboratory director shall submit specimens as required in Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201 in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(2) For test results notifiable to local health jurisdictions, the local health officer may temporarily waive specimen submission requirements and notify laboratories, including the Washington state public health laboratories, of the basis for the waiver, which requirements are being waived and how long the waiver will be in effect.
(3) A laboratory shall forward required specimens to:
Washington State Public Health Laboratories
Washington State Department of Health
1610 N.E. 150th Street
Shoreline, WA 98155
(4) The state health officer may designate additional laboratories as public health reference laboratories.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-210, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-210, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-210, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-215

Content of documentation accompanying specimen submissionLaboratory directors.

A laboratory director shall provide the following information with each specimen submitted under this chapter to the Washington state public health laboratories:
(1) Patient's first and last name;
(2) Patient's physical address including zip code;
(3) Patient's date of birth;
(4) Patient's sex;
(5) Patient's ethnicity, as required in WAC 246-101-011(4);
(6) Patient's race, as required in WAC 246-101-011(5);
(7) Patient's preferred language, as required in WAC 246-101-011(6);
(8) For hepatitis B virus, pregnancy status (pregnant, not pregnant, or unknown) of patients twelve to fifty years of age;
(9) Patient's best contact telephone number;
(10) Requesting health care provider's name;
(11) Requesting health care provider's phone number;
(12) Address where patient received care;
(13) Name of submitting laboratory;
(14) Telephone number of submitting laboratory;
(15) Specimen type;
(16) Specimen collection date;
(17) Date laboratory received specimen;
(18) Test method used; and
(19) Test result.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-215, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-215, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-215, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-220

Means of notificationLaboratory directors.

A laboratory director shall:
(1) Submit laboratory reports as required under this chapter by secure electronic data transmission.
(2) Call the local health jurisdiction in which the case occurred immediately and confirm receipt of a presumptive or final test result for a condition designated as:
(a) Immediately notifiable; or
(b) Notifiable within twenty-four hours when submitting the test result outside the local health jurisdiction's normal business hours.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-220, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-220, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-220, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-225

Content of laboratory reportsLaboratory directors.

(1) A laboratory director shall provide the following information in each laboratory report required under this chapter:
(a) Patient's first and last name;
(b) Patient's physical address including zip code;
(c) Patient's date of birth;
(d) Patient's sex;
(e) Patient's ethnicity, as required in WAC 246-101-011(4);
(f) Patient's race, as required in WAC 246-101-011(5);
(g) Patient's preferred language, as required in WAC 246-101-011(6);
(h) For hepatitis B virus, pregnancy status (pregnant, not pregnant, or unknown) of patients twelve to fifty years of age;
(i) Patient's best contact telephone number;
(j) For blood lead level, medicaid status of patients less than seventy-two months of age;
(k) Requesting health care provider's name;
(l) Requesting health care provider's phone number;
(m) Address where patient received care;
(n) Name of submitting laboratory;
(o) Telephone number of submitting laboratory;
(p) Specimen type;
(q) Specimen collection date;
(r) Date laboratory received specimen;
(s) Test method used; and
(t) Test result.
(2) The local health officer or the state health officer may request additional information of epidemiological or public health value when conducting a case investigation or otherwise for prevention and control of a specific notifiable condition.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-225, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-225, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-225, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-230

Handling confidential informationLaboratory directors.

(1) A laboratory shall maintain the confidentiality of health care information consistent with chapter 70.02 RCW and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
(2) A laboratory director shall establish and implement policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality of health care information.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-230, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-230, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-230, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-405

DutiesVeterinarians.

(1) A veterinarian shall cooperate with public health authorities in their:
(a) Investigation of human and animal cases, outbreaks, suspected outbreaks, and clusters of zoonotic disease; and
(b) Implementation of infection control measures.
(2) Cooperation with public health authorities includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Providing information requested by the department or local health jurisdiction; and
(b) Following infection control measures for:
(i) Humans under chapter 246-100 WAC;
(ii) Dogs, cats, ferrets, and hybrids under WAC 246-100-197; and
(iii) Other animals under chapter 16.36 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-405, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-405, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-405, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-410

DutiesFood establishments.

(1) For the purposes of this section "food establishment" has the same meaning as defined and referenced under WAC 246-215-01115.
(2) The person in charge of a food establishment shall:
(a) Notify the local health jurisdiction of potential foodborne disease as required in WAC 246-215-02215.
(b) Cooperate with public health authorities in their investigation and control of cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks. This includes, but is not limited to, the release of the name and other pertinent information about food handlers diagnosed with a notifiable condition or other communicable disease to the public health authority.
(c) Not release identifying information about food handlers with a notifiable condition or other communicable disease to other employees or the general public.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-410, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-410, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-410, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-415

DutiesChild care facilities.

(1) For the purposes of this section "child care facility" means an agency that regularly provides early childhood education and early learning services for a group of children for less than twenty-four hours a day and is subject to licensing under chapter 74.15 or 43.216 RCW, or both.
(2) A child care facility shall:
(a) Notify the local health jurisdiction of cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks of notifiable conditions in Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101 that may be associated with the child care facility.
(b) Consult with a health care provider or the local health jurisdiction for information about the control and prevention of infectious conditions, as necessary.
(c) Cooperate with public health authorities in their investigation and control of cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks that may be associated with the child care facility.
(d) Establish and implement policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality related to health care information in their possession.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-415, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-415, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-415, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-420

DutiesSchools.

A school shall:
(1) Notify the local health jurisdiction of cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks of notifiable conditions in Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101 that may be associated with the school.
(2) Cooperate with the local health jurisdiction in monitoring influenza.
(3) Consult with a health care provider or the local health jurisdiction for information about the control and prevention of infectious conditions, as necessary.
(4) Cooperate with public health authorities in their investigation and control of cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks that may be associated with the school.
(5) Release identifying information only to other individuals responsible for protecting the health and well-being of the public through control of disease.
(6) Establish and implement policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality related to health care information in their possession.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-420, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-420, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-420, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-425

DutiesThe general public.

(1) Members of the general public shall cooperate with:
(a) Public health authorities in their investigation and control of cases, outbreaks, and suspected outbreaks; and
(b) Implementation of infection control measures.
(2) Members of the general public may notify the local health jurisdiction of any case, outbreak, or suspected outbreak.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-425, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-425, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-425, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-505

DutiesLocal health officer or the local health jurisdiction.

(1) A local health officer or local health jurisdiction shall:
(a) Review and determine appropriate action for:
(i) Each case of a notifiable condition submitted to the local health jurisdiction;
(ii) Any condition considered a threat to public health; and
(iii) Each outbreak or suspected outbreak of disease submitted to the local health jurisdiction, and request assistance from the department in carrying out any of these investigations when necessary.
(b) Establish a system at the local health jurisdiction for maintaining confidentiality of records under WAC 246-101-515;
(c) Notify health care providers, laboratories, and health care facilities within the local health jurisdiction of requirements in this chapter;
(d) Notify the department of cases of conditions notifiable to the local health jurisdiction under this chapter;
(e) Notify the principal health care provider named in the case report or laboratory report, if possible, prior to initiating a case investigation;
(f) Allow laboratories to contact the health care provider ordering the diagnostic test before initiating patient contact if requested and the delay is unlikely to jeopardize public health; and
(g) Conduct investigations and institute infection control measures in accordance with chapter 246-100 WAC.
(2) The local health jurisdiction may:
(a) Adopt alternate arrangements for meeting the requirements under this chapter through cooperative agreement between the local health jurisdiction and any health care provider, laboratory, or health care facility. The alternative must provide the same level of public health protection as the reporting requirement for which an alternative is sought;
(b) Receive health information, demographic information, and infectious or noninfectious condition information in addition to that required under this chapter from health care providers, health care facilities, laboratories, the department of agriculture, and the department of labor and industries when the entity submitting the information determines that the additional information will aid the public health authority in protecting and improving the public's health through prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious conditions.
(3) When the local health jurisdiction receives information under subsection (2)(b) of this section, the local health jurisdiction shall handle the information under the requirements of WAC 246-101-515.
(4) Each local health officer may:
(a) Carry out additional steps necessary to verify a diagnosis reported by a health care provider;
(b) Require any person suspected of having a notifiable condition to submit to examinations necessary to determine the presence or absence of the condition;
(c) Investigate any case of a notifiable condition or other infectious or noninfectious condition, if deemed necessary; and
(d) Require the notification of additional conditions of public health importance occurring within the jurisdiction of the local health officer.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-505, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-505, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.24.130 and 70.24.380. WSR 05-11-110, § 246-101-505, filed 5/18/05, effective 6/18/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 (2)(d), 70.05.050 and 70.05.060. WSR 03-06-003, § 246-101-505, filed 2/19/03, effective 2/19/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-505, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-510

Means of notificationLocal health officer or local health jurisdiction.

(1) A local health jurisdiction shall:
(a) Maintain a twenty-four-hour telephone number to receive confirmation calls of case reports or laboratory reports submitted under this chapter for:
(i) Immediately notifiable conditions; and
(ii) Conditions designated as notifiable within twenty-four hours.
(b) Notify the department immediately using either telephone or secure electronic data transmission:
(i) Upon receiving a case report or laboratory report for a condition that is immediately notifiable to the local health jurisdiction under this chapter, excluding Meningococcal disease, invasive (Neisseria meningitides); Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)/enterohemorrhagic E. coli; and Vaccinia; and
(ii) Of an outbreak or suspected outbreak within their jurisdiction;
(c) Notify the department using a secure electronic disease surveillance system within three business days of receiving a case report or laboratory report for a condition that is not immediately notifiable to the local health jurisdiction under this chapter;
(d) If after submitting a notification to the department, the local health officer determines no further investigation is necessary, indicate in the secure electronic disease surveillance system that no further investigation is warranted within three business days of the determination.
(e) Immediately reassign cases to the department upon determining the patient who is the subject of the case:
(i) Is a resident of another local health jurisdiction; or
(ii) Resides outside Washington state.
(f) Submit an investigation report to the department using a secure electronic disease surveillance system for each case report or laboratory report received by the local health jurisdiction for which the local health officer determined an investigation was necessary:
(i) Within seven days of completing the investigation for any condition notifiable to the local health jurisdiction; or
(ii) Within twenty-one days of receiving the case report or laboratory report if the investigation is not complete.
(g) Submit an outbreak report to the department using secure electronic data transmission within seven days of completing an outbreak investigation. The department may waive this requirement if notification under (b)(ii) of this subsection provided sufficient information.
(2) The local health officer shall confirm that each case is based on clinical criteria, or laboratory criteria, or both prior to submitting the investigation report to the department. These criteria include, but are not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definitions.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-510, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-510, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-510, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-513

Content of notifications, investigation reports, and outbreak reportsLocal health officer.

A local health officer shall provide the following information for each notification, investigation report, and outbreak report submitted under WAC 246-101-510:
(1) Notifications must include:
(a) Patient's first and last name;
(b) Patient's notifiable condition;
(c) Date local health jurisdiction was notified;
(d) Condition symptom onset date (preferred), or alternatively, diagnosis date;
(e) Patient's date of birth; and
(f) Patient's sex.
(2) Investigation reports must include:
(a) Patient's first and last name;
(b) Patient's date of birth;
(c) Patient's ethnicity, as required in WAC 246-101-011(4);
(d) Patient's race, as required in WAC 246-101-011(5);
(e) Patient's preferred language, as required in WAC 246-101-011(6);
(f) For hepatitis B acute or chronic infection investigation reports, pregnancy status (pregnant, not pregnant, or unknown) of patients twelve to fifty years of age;
(g) Investigation start date;
(h) Investigation completion date;
(i) Initial notification source;
(j) Hospitalization status of patient;
(k) Whether the patient died during this illness;
(l) Probable geographic region of exposure (i.e., county, state, or country other than the United States of America);
(m) Travel out of the country (as applicable);
(n) Whether the case is associated with an ongoing outbreak investigation; and
(o) The data used to verify the case meets clinical criteria, or laboratory criteria, or both. These criteria include, but are not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definitions.
(3) Outbreak reports must include:
(a) Organism or suspected organism;
(b) Source or suspected source; and
(c) Number of persons infected and potentially exposed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.28.032, and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-513, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23.]



PDF246-101-515

Handling confidential informationLocal health officers and local health jurisdictions.

(1) Local health officers and local health jurisdiction employees shall maintain the confidentiality of health care information consistent with chapter 70.02 RCW, RCW 42.56.360(2), and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
(2) Local health officers or local health jurisdictions shall establish and implement confidentiality policies and procedures related to employee handling of health care information.
(3) Local health officers shall:
(a) Require all local health jurisdiction employees with access to health care information to sign confidentiality agreements;
(b) Retain current signed confidentiality agreements;
(c) Reference in confidentiality agreements the penalties for violation of chapter 70.24 RCW and administrative actions that may be taken by the local health jurisdiction if the confidentiality agreement is violated; and
(d) Renew confidentiality agreements at least annually.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-515, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-515, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-515, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-520

Special conditionsAIDS and HIVLocal health officers and local health jurisdictions.

(1) The local health officer and local health jurisdiction personnel shall maintain individual case reports, laboratory reports, investigation reports, and other data and supporting information for AIDS and HIV as confidential records consistent with the requirements of RCW 70.02.220 and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
(2) The local health officer and local health jurisdiction personnel shall:
(a) Use identifying information of individuals tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV only:
(i) To contact the individual tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV to provide test results or refer the individual to social and medical services; or
(ii) To contact persons who have been identified as sex or injection equipment-sharing partners; or
(iii) To link with other name-based public health disease registries when doing so will improve ability to provide needed care services and disease prevention, provided that the identity or identifying information of the individual tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV is not disclosed outside of the local health jurisdiction; or
(iv) As specified in WAC 246-100-072; or
(v) To provide case reports, laboratory reports, or investigation reports to the department; or
(vi) To conduct investigations under RCW 70.24.022 or 70.24.024.
(b) Within ninety days of completing an investigation report, or of receiving a complete investigation report from another public health authority:
(i) Destroy case reports, laboratory reports, investigation reports, and other data and supporting identifying information on individuals tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV received as a result of this chapter. If an investigation is not conducted for a case, then the identifying information for that case shall be destroyed within ninety days of receiving a complete HIV case report or laboratory report; or
(ii) Maintain HIV case reports, laboratory reports, investigation reports, and other data and supporting information in secure systems consistent with the 2011 DataSecurity and Confidentiality Guidelinesfor HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Tuberculosis Programs: Standards to Facilitate Sharing and Use of Surveillance Data for Public Health Action published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(3) The local health officer shall:
(a) Describe the secure systems in written policies and review the policies annually;
(b) Limit access to case report, laboratory report, investigation report, and other data and supporting information to local health jurisdiction staff who need the information to perform their job duties;
(c) Maintain a current list of local health jurisdiction staff with access to case report, laboratory report, investigation report, and other data and supporting information;
(d) Enclose physical locations containing electronic or paper copies of surveillance data in a locked, secured area with limited access and not accessible by window;
(e) Store paper copies or electronic media containing surveillance information inside locked file cabinets that are in the locked, secured area;
(f) Destroy information by either shredding it with a crosscut shredder or appropriately sanitizing electronic media prior to disposal;
(g) Store files or databases containing confidential information on either stand-alone computers with restricted access or on networked drives with proper access controls, encryption software, and firewall protection;
(h) Protect electronic communication of confidential information by encryption standards and review the standards annually; and
(i) Make available locking briefcases for transporting confidential information.
(4) The local health officer and local health jurisdiction staff shall:
(a) If maintaining identifying information on individuals tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV more than ninety days following completion of an investigation report or receipt of a complete investigation report from another public health authority, cooperate with the department in biennial review of system security measures described in subsection (2)(b) of this section.
(b) Not disclose identifying information received as a result of this chapter unless:
(i) Explicitly and specifically required to do so by state or federal law;
(ii) Permitted under RCW 70.02.220; or
(iii) Authorized by written patient consent.
(5) Local health officers shall investigate potential breaches of the confidentiality of HIV identifying information by health jurisdiction employees. The local health officer shall report all breaches of confidentiality to the state health officer for review and appropriate action.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-520, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.24.125. WSR 06-16-117, § 246-101-520, filed 8/1/06, effective 9/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.24.130 and 70.24.380. WSR 05-11-110, § 246-101-520, filed 5/18/05, effective 6/18/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.24.125. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-520, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-525

Special conditionInfluenzaLocal health jurisdictions.

A local health jurisdiction shall:
(1) Maintain a surveillance system for influenza during the influenza season which may include:
(a) Monitoring of excess school absenteeism;
(b) Requesting information from health care providers and health care facilities regarding influenza-like illnesses; and
(c) Monitoring workplace absenteeism and other mechanisms.
(2) Request submission of appropriate clinical specimens from a sample of patients with influenza-like illness to the Washington state public health laboratories or other laboratory approved by the state health officer.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-525, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-525, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-605

DutiesDepartment.

(1) The department shall:
(a) Upon request, provide consultation and technical assistance to local health jurisdictions, the department of labor and industries, and the department of agriculture when they are investigating notifiable conditions.
(b) Upon request, provide consultation and technical assistance to health care providers, laboratories, health care facilities, and others required to comply with this chapter.
(c) Develop, maintain, and make available for local health jurisdictions guidance on investigation and control measures for notifiable conditions.
(d) Make case report, laboratory report, specimen submittal forms, and investigation report forms available to local health jurisdictions, health care providers, laboratories, health care facilities, and others required to comply with this chapter.
(e) Maintain a twenty-four hour telephone number to receive:
(i) Confirmation calls for immediately notifiable condition case reports and laboratory reports; and
(ii) Notification of immediately notifiable conditions including outbreaks and suspected outbreaks from local health jurisdictions.
(f) Develop routine data dissemination mechanisms that describe and analyze notifiable conditions case investigations and data in accordance with WAC 246-101-615.
(g) Conduct investigations and institute infection control measures as necessary.
(h) Document the known environmental, human, and other variables associated with a case of pesticide poisoning.
(i) Report the results of the pesticide poisoning investigation to the principal health care provider named in the case report or laboratory report and to the local health officer in whose jurisdiction the case occurred.
(2) The department may:
(a) Negotiate alternatives for meeting requirements under this chapter through cooperative agreement between the department and any health care provider, laboratory, health care facility, or state agency. An alternative must provide the same level of public health protection as the reporting requirement for which an alternative is sought.
(b) Under an approved cooperative agreement, relieve a health care provider, laboratory, or health care facility of the duty to notify a local health jurisdiction, if the department can consolidate and submit notifications to the local health jurisdiction within the time frame for notification required under Table HC-1 of WAC 246-101-101 and Table Lab-1 of WAC 246-101-201.
(c) Receive health care information, demographic information, and infectious or noninfectious condition information in addition to that required under this chapter from health care providers, health care facilities, laboratories, and public health authorities.
(3) When the department receives information under subsection (2)(c) of this section, the department shall handle the information under the requirements of WAC 246-101-610.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-605, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-605, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-605, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-610

Handling of confidential information and information exempt from public disclosureState health officer and department.

(1) The state health officer and department employees shall maintain the confidentiality of health care information in accordance with chapter 70.02 RCW, RCW 42.56.360(2), and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
(2) The state health officer shall establish and implement confidentiality policies and procedures related to employee handling of health care information under this chapter.
(3) The state health officer or department shall:
(a) Require all department employees, contractors, and others with access to health information to sign confidentiality agreements;
(b) Retain current signed confidentiality agreements;
(c) Reference in confidentiality agreements the penalties for violation of chapter 70.24 RCW and administrative actions that may be taken by the department if the confidentiality agreement is violated; and
(d) Renew confidentiality agreements at least annually.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-610, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-610, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-610, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-615

Data dissemination and notificationDepartment.

The department shall:
(1) Distribute periodic epidemiological summary reports and an annual review of public health issues to local health officers, local health jurisdictions, and the department of labor and industries.
(2) Make available case investigation documentation for notifiable conditions reported directly to the department to local health officers or the department of labor and industries within twenty-four hours of receipt by the department.
(3) Make other data necessary to conduct case investigations or epidemiological summaries available within two business days of a request from a public health authority.
(4) Periodically distribute statistical summaries and epidemiological studies based on individual case reports, laboratory reports, and investigation reports if no patient is identified or identifiable.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-615, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 11-02-065, § 246-101-615, filed 1/4/11, effective 2/4/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545 and 70.104.030. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-615, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-630

Special conditionAntibiotic resistant diseaseDepartment.

The department shall:
(1) Maintain a surveillance system for monitoring antibiotic resistant disease that may include:
(a) Development of a sentinel network of laboratories to provide information regarding antibiotic resistant disease; and
(b) Sample checks with health care providers and health care facilities regarding antibiotic resistant disease; and
(2) Request the health care providers and laboratories submit specimens from a sample of patients with antibiotic resistant disease to the Washington state public health laboratories or other laboratory approved by the state health officer.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-630, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 43.70.545 and 70.24.125. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-630, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-635

Special conditionsAIDS and HIVDepartment.

The following provisions apply to the use of AIDS and HIV notifiable conditions case reports, laboratory reports, and investigation reports, related information, and data and is in addition to the requirements established under WAC 246-101-610:
(1) Department personnel shall not disclose health care information related to a case of AIDS or HIV unless:
(a) Explicitly and specifically required to do so by state or federal law;
(b) Permitted under RCW 70.02.220; or
(c) Authorized by written patient consent.
(2) Department personnel may use HIV identifying information related to a case of AIDS or HIV only for the following purposes:
(a) Notification of persons identified as sex or injection equipment-sharing partners;
(b) Referral of the individual tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV to social and medical services; and
(c) Linkage to other public health databases, provided that the identity or identifying information of the individual tested, diagnosed, or reported with HIV is not disclosed outside the department.
(3) The state health officer shall require and maintain signed confidentiality agreements with all department employees with access to HIV identifying information. The state health officer shall ensure these agreements are renewed at least annually and include reference to penalties for violation of chapter 70.24 RCW and administrative actions that may be taken by the department.
(4) The state health officer shall investigate potential breaches of the confidentiality of HIV identifying information by department employees. All breaches of confidentiality shall be reported to the state health officer or their authorized representative for review and appropriate action.
(5) The department shall maintain all HIV case reports, laboratory reports, and investigation reports and other data and supporting information in a name-based surveillance system solely for the purpose of complying with HIV reporting guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and shall not disclose or otherwise use any information contained in that system for any other purpose, except as expressly permitted by this section.
(6) The department shall:
(a) Maintain HIV case reports, laboratory reports, and investigation reports and other data and supporting information in secure systems that meet the following standards and are consistent with the 2011 DataSecurity and Confidentiality Guidelinesfor HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Tuberculosis Programs: Standards to Facilitate Sharing and Use of Surveillance Data for Public Health Action published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(b) Describe secure systems in written policies and review the policies annually;
(c) Limit access to case report, laboratory report, and investigation report and other data and supporting information to department staff who need it to perform their job duties;
(d) Maintain a current list of department staff with access to case report, laboratory report, and investigation report and other data and supporting information;
(e) Enclose all physical locations containing electronic or paper copies of surveillance data in a locked, secured area with limited access and not accessible by window;
(f) Store paper copies or electronic media containing surveillance information inside locked file cabinets that are in the locked, secured area;
(g) Destroy information by either shredding it with a crosscut shredder or appropriately sanitizing electronic media prior to disposal;
(h) Store files or databases containing confidential information on either stand-alone computers with restricted access or on networked drives with proper access controls, encryption software, and firewall protection;
(i) Protect electronic communication of confidential information by encryption standards and review the standards annually;
(j) Use locking briefcases for transporting confidential information.
(7) The state health officer shall conduct a biennial review of local health jurisdictions system security measures described in WAC 246-101-520 that are maintaining records by name.
(8) When providing technical assistance to a local health jurisdiction, authorized representatives of the department may temporarily, and subject to the time limitations in WAC 246-101-520, receive the names of reportable cases of HIV infection for the purpose of partner notification, or special studies. Upon completion of the activities by representatives of the department, named information will be provided to the local health jurisdiction subject to the provisions of WAC 246-101-520.
(9) The state health officer shall provide a report to the state board of health if federal policy no longer requires that HIV surveillance systems be name-based.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 70.24.130. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-635, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.24.125. WSR 06-16-117, § 246-101-635, filed 8/1/06, effective 9/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050, 70.24.125 and 70.28.010. WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-635, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-640

Special conditionBirth defects.

The department shall enter into a data sharing agreement with the office of the superintendent of public instruction (the superintendent) to access data from databases maintained by the superintendent containing student health information for the purpose of identifying cases of autism or other conditions of public health interest.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-640, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-640, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-705

DutiesDepartment of labor and industries.

(1) The department of labor and industries shall:
(a) Be responsible for the investigation of cases identified as notifiable to the department of labor and industries under this chapter;
(b) Provide consultation and technical assistance to local health jurisdictions and the department investigating cases;
(c) Upon request, provide consultation and technical assistance to health care providers, laboratories, health care facilities, and others required to notify and cooperate with public health authorities under this chapter;
(d) Provide technical assistance to businesses and labor organizations for understanding the use of notifiable conditions data collected and analyzed by the department of labor and industries; and
(e) Develop routine data dissemination mechanisms that describe and analyze notifiable conditions case investigations and data. These may include annual and monthly reports and other mechanisms for data dissemination as developed by the department of labor and industries.
(2) The department of labor and industries may:
(a) Receive data through cooperative agreement negotiated by the department of labor and industries and a health care provider, laboratory, or health care facility;
(b) Receive health information, demographic information, and infectious or noninfectious condition information in addition to that required under this chapter from health care providers and health care facilities.
(3) When the department of labor and industries receives information under this section, the department of labor and industries shall handle the information under the requirements of WAC 246-101-710.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-705, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-705, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-710

Handling of confidential informationDepartment of labor and industries.

(1) The director of the department of labor and industries and department of labor and industries employees shall maintain the confidentiality of health care information consistent with chapter 70.02 RCW, RCW 42.56.360(2), and any other applicable confidentiality laws.
(2) The director of the department of labor and industries shall:
(a) Require all employees, contractors, and others with access to health care information, to sign confidentiality agreements;
(b) Retain signed confidentiality agreements;
(c) Reference in confidentiality agreements the administrative actions that may be taken by the department of labor and industries if the confidentiality agreement is violated; and
(d) Renew confidentiality agreements at least annually.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-710, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-710, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-715

Data dissemination and notificationDepartment of labor and industries.

The department of labor and industries shall:
(1) Distribute periodic epidemiological summary reports and an annual review of public health issues to local health officers, local health jurisdictions, and the department.
(2) Make available case investigation documentation for notifiable conditions reported directly to the department of labor and industries, data necessary to conduct case investigations, or epidemiological summaries to local health officers or the department within two business days of a request.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-715, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-715, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-730

Special conditionHospitalized burns.

The department of labor and industries shall maintain a surveillance system for monitoring hospitalized burn patients that may include:
(1) Development of a sentinel network of burn treatment centers and hospitals to provide information regarding hospitalized burn patients; and
(2) Sample checks with health care providers and health care facilities regarding hospitalized burn patients.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-730, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23; WSR 00-23-120, § 246-101-730, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]



PDF246-101-805

DutiesDepartment of agriculture.

(1) For the purposes of this section, "new, emerging, or unusual animal diseases or disease clusters with potential public health significance" means zoonotic or potentially zoonotic diseases in animals that have never or rarely been observed in Washington state (new or emerging); or appear in a new species or show evidence of higher pathogenicity than expected (unusual); or appear in a higher than expected number of animals clustered in time or space (cluster).
(2) The department of agriculture shall:
(a) Submit an individual animal case report for each animal case of a condition identified in Table Agriculture-1 to the department immediately upon being notified of the animal case using secure electronic data transmission under this table and this chapter.
(b) Call the department and confirm receipt immediately after submitting an animal case report for the following conditions:
(i) Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis);
(ii) Coronavirus infection (SARS-associated coronavirus, MERS-associated coronavirus, and Novel coronavirus (COVID-19));
(iii) Influenza virus in swine, influenza H5 and H7 (avian);
(iv) Livestock exposed to toxic substances which may threaten public health;
(v) Plague (Yersinia pestis);
(vi) Rabies (suspected human or animal);
(vii) Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy; and
(viii) Tularemia (Francisella tularensis).
Table Agriculture-1 (Conditions Notifiable by the Department of Agriculture)
Notifiable Condition (Agent)
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracisor B. cereus biovar anthracis)
Arboviral Diseases
 
California serogroup
 
Chikungunya
 
Dengue
 
Eastern equine encephalitis
 
Japanese encephalitis
 
La Crosse encephalitis
 
Powassan
 
St. Louis encephalitis
 
Western equine encephalitis
 
West Nile virus
 
Zika
Brucellosis (Brucella species)
Coccidioidomycosis (Coccidioides species)
Coronavirus infection
 
SARS-associated coronavirus
 
MERS-associated coronavirus
 
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Cryptococcus gattii or undifferentiated Cryptococcus species (i.e., Cryptococcus not identified as C. neoformans)
Cysticercosis (Taenia solium)
Echinococcosis (Echinococcus species)
Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia species)
Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)
Influenza virus in swine, influenza H5 and H7 (avian)
Leptospirosis (Leptospira species)
Livestock exposed to toxic substances which may threaten public health
Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)
Plague (Yersinia pestis)
Q Fever (Coxiella burnettii)
Rabies (suspected human or animal)
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections/enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy
Trichinosis (Trichinella spiralis)
Tuberculosis
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Vancomycin-resistant (Staphylococcus aureus)
Zoonotic Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
New, emerging, or unusual animal diseases or disease clusters with potential public health significance.
(3) The department of agriculture may provide additional health information, demographic information, or infectious or noninfectious condition information than is required under this chapter to the department, local health jurisdiction, or both when it determines that the additional information will aid the public health authority in protecting and improving the public's health through prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious conditions.
(4) When the department of agriculture submits information under subsection (3) of this section, they shall submit the information using secure electronic data transmission.
(5) The department shall:
(a) Consult with the department of agriculture on all animal cases; and
(b) Notify the local health jurisdiction of animal cases submitted to the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-805, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23.]



PDF246-101-810

Content of animal case reportsDepartment of agriculture.

(1) The state department of agriculture shall provide the following information for each animal case required under WAC 246-101-805:
(a) Animal species;
(b) Animal county of current residence;
(c) Diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of the condition;
(d) Contact name;
(e) Contact address;
(f) Contact telephone number;
(g) Pertinent laboratory data, if available; and
(h) Other information of public health significance collected under chapter 16-70 WAC.
(2) The local health officer or state health officer may request additional information of epidemiological or public health value when conducting a case investigation or for control of a notifiable condition.
(3) The department and local health jurisdiction shall handle all information received under this chapter including, but not limited to, information collected under this section and WAC 246-101-805 and information collected during case investigations or for investigation or control of a notifiable condition, consistent with applicable provisions of WAC 246-101-515, 246-101-610, and RCW 42.56.380.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 21-11-040 and 22-01-175, § 246-101-810, filed 5/12/21 and 12/17/21, effective 1/1/23.]