WSHA recently sent two hospital-specific reports to the chief financial officer at each of our member hospitals.... Read More >>

One of WSHA’s greatest strengths is its ability to convene members and different groups to collaborate and solve problems together. Just last week, we were able to use this strength again. On May 24, WSHA hosted a large meeting with representatives from the state Department of Health (DOH), the regional Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) and member hospitals from across the state to collaboratively address health challenges that impact all of Washington State.... Read More >>

LEAD Academy Seattle begins next Friday. Don’t miss you chance to send your new leaders and managers to this dynamic training. The twelve-module program runs once per month over the next six months. Topics range from conflict resolution and coaching for performance to running an effective meeting and health care finance.... Read More >>

We’re thrilled to congratulate one of our Industry Partners on recent recognition of their leadership in telemedicine. Geoffrey Boyce, Executive Director of InSight Telepsychiatry, is the recipient of the American Telemedicine Association’s 2017 Industry Leader Award. InSight provides telepsychiatry services to a number of hospitals in Washington State. ... Read More >>

Last week, we had a webcast update on the progress of the legislative session. While the budget is not done yet — and is not expected to be completed until the last minute — many of WSHA’s priority policy bills have been passed by both houses and have been signed by the governor. It’s exciting so see progress being made on so many key issues, and we are grateful for all of the WSHA members who spend time testifying in Olympia.... Read More >>

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is important across the healthcare continuum – it’s not just for hospitals anymore! Qualis Health is looking for clinics, emergency departments, urgent care centers and retail clinics who would like to receive free materials, technical assistance, data and support in working on establishing AMS in their settings. The two-year initiative will assist outpatient settings to come into adherence with the CDC’s four elements of AMS in the Outpatient Setting: leadership commitment, implementing one policy or procedure, tracking data, and providing education to providers and patients about AMS.... Read More >>

Last week, some of WSHA’s patient safety clinical directors had a meeting in Leavenworth with staff from six hospitals in the area. This meeting, and others like it, are being held... Read More >>

Accessing medical care can be a challenge for homeless men and women due to lack of health insurance, lack of transportation, mental illness, and competing priorities like finding food and shelter. Premature death is four times as likely for the homeless, with an average age of death of just 48, as many suffer from acute chronic medical conditions. To help homeless men and women suffering from terminal illnesses, UW Medicine’s Harborview Medical Center partnered with the UW School of Public Health to launch the country’s first mobile palliative care program to serve the homeless.... Read More >>

The WSHA Board of Trustees meets at least five times a year to set ensure WSHA is on-track to meeting our ambitious goals. There are 24 voting members, and they represent the spectrum of our state’s hospitals: urban/rural, large/small, system/single facility, and everything in between. At the May meeting, the board focused on two main issues of the legislative session: mental health and the new nurse staffing committee law.... Read More >>

Washington State will soon join the Health Research Educational Trust’s (HRET’s) efforts around reducing hospital-acquired infections. The initiative is designed to strengthen infection control programs and practices through robust resources, such as on-demand education, national expert access, coaching and more. Health care has made amazing improvements in reducing infections in hospitals and other care settings, but we’re working to get to ZERO, and infections are relentless enemies.... Read More >>