STAND. COM. REP. NO. 522

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 705

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 705, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the definition of "the practice of nursing as a registered nurse" to require registered nurses to carry out orders of a licensed physician assistant practicing with physician supervision.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, Kauai Community Health Alliance, The Maui Medical Group, and seventeen private individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Nursing.

 

     Your Committee finds that the provision of comprehensive health care to patients involves the participation of multiple professionals, each performing a specific role in accordance with a specific scope of licensure.  Your Committee further finds that it is critical for patient safety and protection that the roles of each professional in a health care interaction are clearly defined.  Finally, your Committee finds that the allowable scope of practice for a physician assistant does not include independent practice, but rather involves effectuating the orders of a supervising physician.  Your Committee notes that the requirement of physician supervision of the actions of a physician assistant is essential to preserving patient safety.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that registered nurses shall carry out the orders of physicians that are delivered by a physician assistant practicing within the scope of licensure and under the supervision of a physician.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 705, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 705, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair