News

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals with information should they wish to appeal changes to their Medicaid hospital payment rates effective November 1. WSHA recommends they file a rate appeal with the Health Care Authority (HCA) within 60 days of the date of their rate notice to protect their right to a rate correction if it is determined the new rates are in error.... Read More >>

Important information on standard financial assistance application form and communication plan. WSHA will host a webinar on Monday, November 23, 2015 on the development of a standard financial assistance application form and standard financial assistance communication plan for Washington State hospitals. The webinar will include discussion of the impetus to develop standard documents, an overview of the workgroup process, and review of the draft application form and communication plan. ... Read More >>

Member news headlines from the Nov. 12, 2015 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Washington State has a high number of veterans from a broad variety of backgrounds. Service members bring a wealth of experience and skills that could add tremendous value to hospitals and health systems. Even for those outside the medical field, veterans receive an incomparable amount of job training in “soft” skills such as cultural competency, team work and project planning. Many others receive extensive skill training in languages, computers, building maintenance and construction.... Read More >>

In a major release on November 9, the National Institutes of Health announced that contrary to some initial fears, the reduction of early elective deliveries has not led to an increase in stillborn deaths. As the NIH release states, “When compared to infants born after 39 weeks, those born in the 37th and 38th weeks were at a higher risk for respiratory problems, low blood sugar and newborn sepsis (a blood infection). They also were more likely to spend time in a newborn intensive care unit.”... Read More >>

Washington Hospital services is pleased to announce its newest Industry Partner Cordant Health Solutions. Cordant is a national leader in offering comprehensive laboratory services for toxicology. They are one of the only in the country that is certified through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ SAMHSA program to perform federally mandated testing.... Read More >>

The Washington State Department of Labor (L&I) and stakeholder groups continue to discuss modifying the Hazardous Drugs rules in WAC 296-62-500, Part R, to allow flexibility in provisions related to hospital equipment needed for the handling of hazardous drugs.... Read More >>

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees has named Meg Fallows of Kadlec Regional Medical Center to its national Committee on Volunteers. Across the country, volunteers play key service roles to hospitals of all sizes. Not only do they provide compassionate and patient-centered service, but they also contribute thousands of hours of their own time to help meet the needs of patients.... Read More >>

Quincy Valley Medical Center Administrator Medhi Merred will resign from his position Dec. 12, as he will move to France with his wife and son and begin a new business venture. Medhi has been the hospital’s administrator for roughly 10 years, during which time the hospital remodeled its surgery suites and opened a renovated outpatient clinic.... Read More >>

Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics' Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 4 to formally approve the hospital’s merger with Skagit Regional Health. The hospitals announced in March an intent to merge, and both hospitals would keep their publicly elected boards.... Read More >>