WSHA works closely with the Washington State Department of Health on issues related to improving the health of Washington state residents and communities. For example, WSHA is an active supporter of the department’s Breastfeeding Friendly Washington program, which recognizes hospitals for meeting high standards of support for breastfeeding mothers. WSHA also works closely with DOH on the challenge of ensuring high quality health care in rural communities. These types of shared projects help develop the kind of relationships that are necessary to respond to even greater challenges, such as in late 2014, when the state worked to prepare for the possibility of a patient with Ebola.
Washington State hospitals are also regulated by the Department of Health. As such, we seek to share information from the DOH with our member hospitals and health systems to help ensure WSHA members comply with the law and are informed of important deadlines and policy changes.
If you are a patient or family member and you wish to file a complaint with DOH or to get more information about consumer reports, you can visit the complaint intake unit webpage or call 360-236-4700.
About the Department of Health (www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs)
The Department of Health protects and improves the health of people in Washington State.
Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies.
Our programs and services help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by:
- Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening
- Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices
- Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship
- Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure
- Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies
