Chapter 12.25
OPIOID REPORTING
Sections:
12.25.030 Reporting requirements.
12.25.040 Enforcement and penalties.
12.25.010 Purpose.
This Chapter provides for the reporting of overdoses from the use of opioids. This data is critical to develop effective programs to treat individuals and reduce harm to the public. Opioids have the potential to cause substance dependence that is characterized by a strong desire to take opioids, impaired control over opioid use, persistent opioid use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to opioid use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and a physical withdrawal reaction when opioids are discontinued. (Ord. O20190001 Exh. A)
12.25.020 Definitions.
(1) “Health Officer” means the Skagit County Health Officer, as defined in RCW 70.05.010 and, for the purposes of conducting inspections and issuing notices of violation under this Chapter, the persons filling the following positions in Public Health: Director of Public Health; Assistant Director; Operations Manager; Communicable Disease Investigator or Public Health Nurse.
(2) “Health care provider” means:
(a) Any person having direct or supervisory responsibility for the delivery of health care who is licensed or certified in this State under RCW Title 18;
(b) Military personnel providing health care within the State regardless of licensure; and
(c) Persons performing duties as a coroner or deputy coroner; and
(d) First responders such as volunteer firemen and other emergency care providers.
(3) “Reportable condition” means clinical evidence of an opioid overdose as evidenced by central nervous system or respiratory system depression, lethargy or unconsciousness, decreased respiratory rate, apnea (temporary cessation of breathing), miosis (pinpoint pupils), or death.
(4) “Opioid” means any of various compounds that bind to specific receptors in the central nervous system and have analgesic and narcotic effects similar to opium, including naturally occurring substances such as morphine, and synthetic and semisynthetic drugs or analogues such as methadone and oxycodone. Opioids include, but are not limited to, the following substances and drugs:
(a) Opium.
(b) Codeine.
(c) Fentanyl.
(d) Heroin.
(e) Hydrocodone.
(f) Hydromorphone.
(g) Methadone.
(h) Morphine.
(i) Oxycodone.
(j) Oxymorphone.
(k) Paregoric.
(l) Sufentanil.
(m) Tramadol. (Ord. O20190001 Exh. A)
12.25.030 Reporting requirements.
(1) Health care providers in Skagit County shall notify Skagit County Public Health within 72 hours of diagnosis of a reportable condition.
(2) Health care providers shall make their reports on a form provided by Skagit County Public Health or on a form of similar format using a secure means of communication. (Ord. O20190001 Exh. A)
12.25.040 Enforcement and penalties.
Failure to make a timely report shall be a Class 3 civil infraction enforceable under Chapter 7.80 RCW. (Ord. O20190001 Exh. A)
12.25.050 Severability.
If any provision of this Chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this Chapter, or the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected. (Ord. O20190001 Exh. A)