Recent member news from the December 22, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

WSHA members often can have formularies that can have as many as 4,000 different drugs, and generally less than 1 percent of those will be controlled substances. Insuring that regulatory compliance is followed when these drugs are disposed of can be a daunting task. Industry Partner Stericyle has written an article that highlights some of the dangers and difficulties that come with disposing of controlled substances, and offers suggestions and resources on how to create a successful program that can insure compliance.... Read More >>

Governor Inslee released his proposed budget for the next biennium on Wednesday afternoon. The big news is that it includes $4.4 billion in new revenue, allowing for significant spending increases in education, behavioral health services and salary increases for state employees.... Read More >>

President Obama signed the Cures bill into law this week. The centerpieces of the catch-all bill are aimed at speeding up the process for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new drugs and medical devices, and boosting reach funds for National Institutes of Health (NIH). Sen. Patty Murray was instrumental in the development of the FDA and NIH provisions.... Read More >>

Recent member news from the December 15, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized and posted the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notification (MOON) form. Finalizing the form was the last outstanding piece needed to implement the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (NOTICE Act), which requires hospitals to notify Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollees orally and via the standardized form when the patient is placed in observation status rather than being admitted as an inpatient. ... Read More >>

ver the course of the day, a team of 19 volunteers from PeaceHealth — including orthopedic surgeons, nurses and other clinical and non-clinical staff — teamed up with volunteers from Superfeet Worldwide and Cornerstone Prosthetics and Orthotics to care for 363 men, women and children. In addition to getting their foot care needs met from care providers, each who came during the day received a bag for personal belongings, two pair of wool socks, a hygiene kit, chap stick, a foot care kit, and a pair of warm, waterproof boots.... Read More >>

Registration is now open for Washington Hospital Service’s 2017 LEAD Academy: an intensive six-day, 12-module training experience using innovative tools and experiential learning to empower recently hired, newly appointed or previously untrained health care leaders to better understand and use their strengths. The first session is March 14.... Read More >>

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is encouraging Washington Healthplanfinder customers to take early action to secure health and dental coverage that begins at the New Year. Residents have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 23 to sign up for coverage with a start date of January 1.... Read More >>

Membership updates from the December 15, 2016 Weekly Report.... Read More >>