The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an official health advisory Feb. 1 due to reports of severe cases of influenza. WSHA members have reported surges in patients testing positively for influenza, and staff at some hospitals have begun wearing masks to prevent the spread of the illness.... Read More >>
Two American Hospital Association Committees — the 2015 Committee on Research and the 2015 Committee on Performance Improvement — recently released a joint report, “Care and Payment Models to Achieve the Triple Aim.”... Read More >>
The U.S. is in the grips of an opioid epidemic with an estimated 2.1 million people suffering from opioid addiction. The Bree Collaborative approved the Collaborative’s Opioid Workgroup and charter on Jan 20. The workgroup, consisting of clinicians, state employees and policy experts, will look to facilitate implementation of the State Agency Medical Directors Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to reduce the abuse and misuse of opioids.... Read More >>
No, we’re not planning our outfits for homecoming — Friday is National Wear Red Day: a day to raise awareness around heart conditions and learn how to identify, treat and even avoid them. While all of February is National Heart Month, Friday puts a special light on how heart disease affects women.... Read More >>
Whidbey General Hospital began as a single facility in 1970, but a lot has changed in the last 45 years, with the hospital growing into a $100-million-per-year health network. It now has eight clinics, from Oak Harbor to Clinton, that go by almost as many different names. With this growth and demand for health care service in the community, it is changing its name to WhidbeyHealth.... Read More >>
Elaine Couture, R.N., chief executive of Providence Health Care, is 2016 chair-elect of the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Section for Metropolitan Hospitals. She will assume her role in 2017. ... Read More >>
Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner InSight, which is a national leader in telepsychiatry issued a press release announcing our partnership. ... Read More >>
WSHA testified this week in support of Senate Bill 6558, which would provide direction on how to implement current pharmacy licensing law (SB 5460), giving hospitals an efficient way to license their clinics and transfer essential medications to them. ... Read More >>
WSHA is hosting a one-hour webinar Feb. 23 to provide basic information and answer questions on Link4Health, the state’s effort to advance electronic exchange of clinical records and transform health care. This new program, sponsored by the Health Care Authority, is intended to provide real-time information exchange among providers caring for Medicaid patients. The state has partnered with OneHealthPort, the state-designated health information exchange, on this initiative.... Read More >>
There has been a lot of change recently in leadership roles for hospitals and health systems across the state. WSHA is pleased to congratulate these health care leaders on their new positions!... Read More >>
