As of January 2017, hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission are required to have antibiotic stewardship programs, and the requirement includes education for practitioners, staff and patients on the antimicrobial program, such as information about resistance and optimal prescribing. For hospitals seeking antimicrobial stewardship education, the Society of Hospital Medicine just released Antimicrobial Stewardship Modules that are available online.... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo in June indicating that it now expects certified health care facilities to have water management policies and procedures. The state Department of Health notes that is has learned of at least one facility that has been cited by CMS for lacking a water management program.... Read More >>

Membership update from the August 3, 2017 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Recent member news from the August 3, 2017 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

Industry Partner Cordant Health is being recognized for its work to control opioids by keeping a tight rein on prescriptions. A recent article highlights how its controlled substance pharmacy ensures prescriptions stay in the right hands. Through the program, physicians send drug prescriptions for chronic pain electronically to the pharmacy.... Read More >>

The rollercoaster effort by Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took yet another dramatic turn on Tuesday. The unexpected return of ailing Sen. John McCain combined with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence gave Senate GOP leaders the 51 votes necessary to begin debate on the future of the ACA. The Senate is expected to consider three main proposals.... Read More >>

To help answer questions about the patient experience through treatment, Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle launched its Peer-to-Peer counseling program, which pairs volunteers who have undergone surgery with those are about to undergo surgery. While doctors can answer all the clinical questions, the peer counselors can offer a first-hand account of what the experience will be like, and answer some personal questions about the process they may be uncomfortable asking their provider.... Read More >>

Be sure to mark your calendar for WSHA’s 85th Annual Member Meeting Thursday Oct. 12 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront! This year’s meeting will be one day, with the annual Governance Education Day to follow at the Marriott on Friday Oct. 13. WSHA’s room block is now open and you can make your reservation using WSHA’s group rate. The reservation deadline is Sept. 18. Registration for both events will open after Labor Day.... Read More >>

WSHA continues our commitment to improving patient safety and reducing harm from all causes by supporting Rapid Response Teams, which are supportive clinicians with advanced skills who are able to assess a patient when there is a concern that a patient’s condition is declining. Rapid Response Team processes can be initiated by patients, family members and staff.... Read More >>

Washington State’s Office of Financial Management’s (OFM’s) Health Research Center recently released a research brief examining potentially preventable hospital readmissions by legislative district across the state. The report examines hospitalizations for 11 conditions that, in theory, would not have required inpatient care if the patients had had timely access to primary or secondary care services, such as vaccinations, antibiotics or regular physician office visits.... Read More >>