The Center for Health Statistics (CHS) collects and publishes data about births, deaths, marriages, divorces, pregnancy and abortion rates, behavioral risk factors and hospital admission, discharge and fiscal data.

Specific laws such as Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 70.58 provide the statutory authority for the collection of vital statistics data. Hospital data are collected under the auspices of RCW’s 43.70.052. Other laws detail the rules under which specific data (e.g., birth or abortion data) may be collected and disseminated and define data confidentiality requirements.

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-490 authorizes the Department of Health to collect and utilize health-related data to promote and assess the quality and accessibility of health care throughout the state. WAC’s 246-453 through 246-455 govern the collection and dissemination of hospital data. Other WACs give guidance by subject area.

To view the specific laws for the data go to Washington State Legislature.