News

Washington State Health Care Authority Director Dorothy Teeter announced on April 26 her plan to leave the Health Care Authority on June 30, after leading the agency since 2013.... Read More >>

When WSHA’s membership works in concert, were are able to accomplish amazing things, like getting health care worker immunization rates above 90 percent, or creating a common charity care application form for all our communities. These achievements are not possible without a robust governance structure.... Read More >>

Kittitas Valley Healthcare in Ellensburg is nearing the six-year mark of operating its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, which is operated in collaboration with local law enforcement, the community’s Abuse Support and Prevention Education Now program and Central Washington University. In every situation, trained staff are involved with the initial report of assault through the victim’s medical examination.... Read More >>

The 2017 Washington State regular legislative session officially adjourned April 23. However, Governor Inslee immediately called the legislature back into special session to negotiate a solution to the 2017-2019 operating budget. The House and Senate remain far apart on the total spending amount and funding mechanisms for the budget.... Read More >>

A national trend on the rise also causing concern in Washington is the dramatic increase in maternal addiction and neonatal abstinence syndrome. To address the increased need for information and resources to treat addicted women and their babies, the Safe Deliveries Roadmap program has focused recent educational sessions for clinicians and staff on how to navigate the rise in maternal addiction.... Read More >>

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange announced April 19 that as of this month, more than 204,000 Washington Healthplanfinder customers have enrolled in a 2017 Qualified Health Plan during the most recent open enrollment period, marking a 23 percent jump from the previous year.... Read More >>

For organizations interested in becoming a certified National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site, NHSC will host a webcast at 11 a.m. today to review the benefits of becoming an NHSC site, eligibility requirement and the application process. NHSC staff will also be available for questions.... Read More >>

Recent member news from the April 27, 2017 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

How does your facility handle disposal of controlled substances used in patient care? If it involves pouring them down the sink, you may be vulnerable to institutional drug diversion, which is the stealing of medications, including excess waste, for personal or unauthorized use. Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner Stericyle has made available an article written by Kim New, J.D., BSN, to help our members become more familiar with the problem, the risks it presents to facilities, and resources Stericycle has to help our members develop solutions to this problem.... Read More >>

After the first six months of data, Honoring Choices© Pacific Northwest is proud to report the growing impact this joint initiative is having on advance care planning, even such early stages.... Read More >>