New law requires transparency from boards that discipline doctors

Due largely to the persistence of a Lake Forest Park couple, Washington now has a law that requires state medical disciplinary boards to be more responsive to patients who complain about medical errors.

Gov. Chris Gregoire on Friday signed into law SHB 1493, "an act relating to providing greater transparency to the health professions disciplinary process."

"This bill could become a national model, as patients throughout the country who file complaints against doctors are often left in the dark," said Lisa McGiffert, campaign manager for Consumer Union's Safe Patient Project. "The bill will ensure that people who file these complaints are kept in the loop about the progress of investigations and can have meaningful input in them."

Since 2008, Yanling Yu and Rex Johnson have worked tirelessly to change the law after Yu's father, Xingxun Yu, 81, died after being given a drug his daughter says triggered a fatal allergic reaction.

The couple filed a complaint with the state's Medical Quality Assurance Commission about the doctor involved. After encountering what many patients call "the black hole" of information from disciplinary authorities, they enlisted lawmakers to help change the law.

First, they found support from Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, and later from Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who sponsored the measure, which he called a good first step toward a "bill of rights" for patients and families.

The bill requires a disciplinary authority to promptly respond to inquiries about a complaint's status and provide the person complaining with a report on its final disposition.

It also will allow those filing complaints to supplement their report as more information becomes available to them. And for the first time, it would give patients and family members the right to tell boards how they've been affected by the injury — in writing or in person — before a case is closed, and to recommend sanctions.

State officials said boards already can do most of what's in the law, and that it would have little impact.

Yu, who is noting the third anniversary of her father's death Saturday, said she feels the bill sends a message to officials.

"I think it will make a difference, at least make them more responsive," she said. "I think it is a great step forward from what I call the dark ages in the process."

The law goes into effect 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session.

Carol M. Ostrom: 206-464-2249 or costrom@seattletimes.com