News

Dr. Brian P. Goldstein has been named chief health system officer for UW Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at the University of Washington. He is currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer for the University of North Carolina Hospitals, and he will begin his new duties in November.... Read More >>

Along with the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts, health plans, the Service Employees International Union and other organizations, WSHA recently filed an amicus brief in the case Fortgang v. Woodland Park Zoological Society, as the case — being heard by the state Supreme Court — threatens to expand the state’s public records act to include private entities receiving state funding.... Read More >>

Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner ZeOmega would like to share a case study it recently published about how its solution helped Signal Health improve patient outcomes. The mission of Signal Health, a subsidiary of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, is to help its community shift away from the traditional fee-for-service payment model to a global quality-based payment model.... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its final rule for inpatient prospective payment system rates. Compared to a total of $2.12 billion in inpatient payments for 2016, Washington hospitals are estimated to receive $2.10 billion in 2017. The new rates begin with the new federal fiscal year, starting Oct. 1.... Read More >>

Facing cancer is something no child should have to do, and those who face it are tremendously courageous as they undergo procedures and treatment. At Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, the Beads of Courage program allows young patients to collect small mementos during their treatment, as they receive a special bead for every procedure or milestone in their treatment, from blood draws to bigger milestones such as chemotherapy. ... Read More >>

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

We in health care have known for a long time that different groups of people have different levels of health. The data has long been available, showing us that inequality persists in many areas, including race, ethnicity, age, language and sexual orientation.... Read More >>

WSHA is in the process of preparing materials to help member hospitals meet federal observation notification requirements.... Read More >>

Many hospitals are struggling with significant numbers of patients who have completed their acute hospital stay, but for whom post-hospital placement cannot be found. This ties up acute care beds in hospitals that are already running at or near capacity. ... Read More >>

The Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) recently released proposed changes to the payment rules governing Medicaid payment to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics. The changes are intended to accommodate a new alternative payment model (APM) which HCA plans to pilot with a group of interested clinics effective January 1, 2017. ... Read More >>