Currently, tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements are suspended by the Department of Social and Health Services under WSR 22-07-004, which will expire July 1, 2022.

Residential Care Services (RCS) will not be refiling emergency rules to extend the suspension of the requirements after the current emergency rules expire. Washington state is experiencing a significant increase in the number of TB cases. It is necessary to reinstate TB testing requirements to reduce the risk of illness to the vulnerable people we serve.

To be prepared to meet the TB testing requirements on July 1, 2022, RCS encourages all facilities and providers to immediately begin staff TB testing. This will allow time to meet the requirements once the emergency rules have expired and the permanent rules are reimplemented.

Read full letter here.

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804