Registered nurse — Privileged communications — Exceptions.

No registered nurse providing primary care or practicing under protocols, whether or not the physical presence or direct supervision of a physician is required, may be examined in a civil or criminal action as to any information acquired in attending a patient in the registered nurse's professional capacity, if the information was necessary to enable the registered nurse to act in that capacity for the patient, unless:

(1) The patient consents to disclosure or, in the event of death or disability of the patient, his or her personal representative, heir, beneficiary, or devisee consents to disclosure; or

(2) The information relates to the contemplation or execution of a crime in the future, or relates to the neglect or the sexual or physical abuse of a child, or of a vulnerable adult as defined in RCW 74.34.020, or to a person subject to proceedings under chapter 70.96A, 71.05, or 71.34 RCW.

[1989 c 271 § 302; 1986 c 212 § 1; 1985 c 447 § 2.]

Notes: Severability -- 1989 c 271: See note following RCW 9.94A.510.