Officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will travel to five WSHA member facilities on the Olympic Peninsula June 21-23, holding 90-minute opening listening and learning session to share current legislative initiatives and engage communities on current concerns. They will visit Jefferson Healthcare, Olympic Medical Center, Forks Community Hospital, Grays Harbor Community Hospital and Mason General Hospital.... Read More >>

Since becoming a critical access hospital in 2003, Providence Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville has been caring for the residents in the rural communities of Stevens County, upper portions of Pend Oreille County and portions of Ferry County. This spring, it was named one of the top 20 critical access hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association.... Read More >>

Newly-appointed Western State Hospital CEO Cheryl Strange is facing possible jail time for refusing to comply with a court order to admit a particular patient currently being served through single bed certification at a WSHA member hospital. Strange said she wouldn’t override the hospital’s waiting list, where other patients who are sicker have priority.... Read More >>

Recent member news from the June 16, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Please join us June 22 from noon to 1pm for a presentation by Michael Geller from Providence Health and Services and WHS Industry Partner Stericycle on how to create safe, sustainable and compliant systems for pharmacy waste in offsite locations.... Read More >>

Rural hospitals face unique challenges and opportunities every day. Situated across our state’s beautiful countryside, they help ensure that everyone in Washington has access to high quality health care to keep living healthy, fulfilling lives. They also bring jobs as well as economic stability to their communities, serving as a conduit to emergency services and primary care.... Read More >>

Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner Merritt Hawkins would like to share a blog article discussing the relationship between poverty and the increased demand on health care services. The article suggests that policy-makers often do not account for the income level of the community when pointing to examples of who is doing a “good” job in managing their patient populations. ... Read More >>

Recent member news from the June 9, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Tom Parker, the chief operating officer of Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, has been appointed to the position of permanent chief executive officer. The hospital board unanimously approved the appointment on June 2. Tom has served as interim CEO since March, and he will continue to serve as COO.... Read More >>

To help reduce hospital readmissions for patients at high risk of being readmitted, PMH Medical Center in Prosser launched a program that sends its ambulance service to patients’ homes to follow-up and address any issues patients have dealt with, spanning anything from surgery recovery to diabetes management. ... Read More >>