There is a shortage of mental health services available to residents in our state, forcing many in need of mental health treatment to be boarded in community hospitals. Recognizing that a coordinated approach is needed to address our state’s shortage of these services, WSHA convened a group of Puget Sound area hospitals to figure out how to increase access to care. Among health systems participating in the collaboration was Swedish Health Services, and through it came the opening of a behavioral health unit at Swedish Ballard in Seattle... Read More >>

In a recent Forbes article, four hospital CEOs discussed the role of patient engagement in quality care. All of them made clear the key messages regarding the importance of patient and family engagement. One of the examples they discussed was Patient and Family Engagement Councils, also known as Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs), which is one of the best practices recommended by the Partnership for Patients initiative, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).... Read More >>

The Washington State Office of Financial Management Health Care Research Center released the brief “Health Coverage Changes Under the ACA for Non-elderly Veterans and Spouses of Veterans in Washington.”... Read More >>

Welcome new affiliate member CliftonLarsonAllen LLP! CliftonLarsonAllen is an industry-driven firm specializing in wealth advisory, outsourcing, auditing, taxes and consulting. They serve as health care professionals first and auditors second.... Read More >>

Membership update from the March 23, 2017 Weekly Report.... Read More >>

The opioid epidemic continues to be a top concern for our members and our state. To help members better understand the issue, Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner Cordant Health Solutions has provided a comprehensive educational webinar about opioids.... Read More >>

The complexity of the 340B drug discount program is well established. To help our members keep current on the changes to the program for this year, SunRx is hosting a free educational webinar from 9-10 a.m.Tuesday, April 11. ... Read More >>

Last week in this space, we shared our initial concerns about the American Health Care Act. This replacement legislation for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had just been released. As we further analyzed the specifics of the bill and weighed that analysis against our established principal of preserving coverage for Washingtonians, we reached the conclusion that we cannot support it as currently structured.... Read More >>

A year ago, Providence Holy Family Hospital in Spokane began a partnership with the school across the street. The two had worked together in the past, but by reaching out, the hospital rekindled the connection. It began with a student art contest from the Lidgerwood Elementary School students to decorate a bare hallway in the hospital, and later the student choir joined hospital workers for their mission picnic and Christmas party.... Read More >>

We are excited to announce that James Reinertsen, M.D., will lead this year's CEO & Trustee Patient Safety Summit May 1 and 2. Dr. Reinertsen is an extraordinary leader in improving health care quality, and he brings terrific insight into how boards and executives can work together to make patients safer.... Read More >>