In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1218, which requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Department of Health (DOH) to identify best practices and strategies for controlling the spread of infectious diseases in long-term care facilities.

In response to ESHB 1218, DSHS and DOH have created the Epidemic Preparedness and Response Guidelines for licensed and certified long-term care facilities and agencies.

These guidelines can be used as a tool to assist you in creating an epidemic preparedness plan that is unique to your facility. It is important to note that these guidelines are not mandatory or regulatory. The guidelines do not supersede existing state licensing regulations or Conditions of Participation for federally funded programs.

Read full letter here.

Questions?

Contact:

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