Weekly Report for June 18, 2015 – Hospital History: Navy Hospital Corps celebrates 117 years

More than 60 people have already signed up for the upcoming State Charity Care Law and Federal 501(r) Regulations webinar.

The webinar, hosted July 1 from 2 to 3pm, will focus on hospital financial assistance policies and procedures. This includes a review of Washington state’s charity care law, education on important changes in federal law for 501(c)(3) hospitals, guidance on compliance with both state and federal laws, and discussion of WSHA’s work with members to develop a model charity care application form and model communication plan. Presenters will be Taya Briley and Zosia Stanley from WSHA, Barbara Shickich from Riddell Williams and David Lawson from Davis Wright Tremaine.

This is an important topic for all Washington state hospitals, and we encourage attendance. This webcast is intended for WSHA members only. Please contact Zosia Stanley if interested in attending.

 

WHSA recently published a bulletin notifying hospitals of a new requirement to perform Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) screenings for all newborns born in the state.

Read the WSHA bulletin here for full details about implementation.

WSHA supported the new screening requirements to protect the health of newborns. We believe all hospitals are currently performing CCHD screening. The screening requirement also applies to babies born outside hospitals, with some exceptions.   (Zosia Stanley)

WSHA and the Washington State Pharmacy Association collaborated with a group of hospital Pharmacy Directors and joined the American Hospital Association in submitting comments to the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) on their proposed changes to the handling of hazardous drugs. These changes represent a national effort to bring tighter controls how hazardous drugs are stored, compounded and administered.

While well-intentioned, many of the proposed changes are concerning because of their potential for unintended consequences, including limiting access to medications and driving up health care costs. These unintended consequences would impact both urban and rural hospitals, but would take a greater toll on rural facilities. For more information or to get involved contact Ian Corbridge.

Understanding health benefits can be confusing for anyone, especially those who have coverage for the first time in their lives. Many people still don’t know about new consumer protections and benefits.The Healthy Self campaign, a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the White House and the Surgeon General’s office, is an effort to connect people to the care they need and empower them to take an active role in staying healthy at any age. This campaign will focus on health literacy and preventive services for people who are newly insured, as well as for those who have always had insurance. You can read more about this important effort here.

Join us in using the hashtag #HealthySelfie to highlight now you’re going to take healthy steps and utilize preventive services. Even Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylva Burwell has gotten in on the action! WSHA will to– be sure to keep an eye on ourFacebook page! (Lilia Cabello Drain)

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Award nominations needed

End-of-life care program call for nominations

The Institute for a Healthier Community, based at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, is looking for potential recipients of the inaugural ChangeMaker Award, focusing on a healthy body, healthy relationships and healthy communities.

The deadline for nomination is June 28. The award will be presented July 23 at XFinity Arena in Everett during the “At the Edge of Amazing” conference. Nominees can be of any age and don’t have to be involved in health care. Nominations can also be in memory of people who have died but made a difference in their communities.

Read about the award in an article by the Everett Herald.

Mike Glenn, Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Healthcare, was recently appointed by WSHA Board Chair Julie Petersen to chair the Rural Hospital Committee. The Board is confident his commitment to working on the critical issues facing hospitals and willingness to serve all hospitals in the state will be continued assets to his position within the committee.

The Rural Hospital Committee acts as a catalyst of rural hospitals and works collaboratively through the association to develop, analyze and respond to current legislative and regulatory issues affecting rural hospitals. Members of the Committee act as a network of information for rural facilities, obtaining and exchanging information pertinent to the delivery of health services in rural areas throughout Washington State. (Mary Kay Clunies-Ross)

Michael Metcalf joins PeaceHealth Medical Group July 13 as the Chief Operating Officer. He will work closely with the medical group leadership team, as well as new Chief Medical Officer Mike Murphy, MD, to guide the medical group in focusing on population health.

Michael has more than 25 years’ experience in large, multi-specialty group practices, and he is a strong advocate for integrated delivery systems. He most recently served as Executive Vice President of Clinic Operations with Essentia Health, an integrated health system in Duluth, Minn. He holds a Master’s degree in business administration, is a leader in Lean Six Sigma and is dedicated to sharing his time and talent both through teaching and volunteer service.

Read more about Michael’s appointment as COO in this State of Reform article.

CHI has appointed Tony McLean, currently the president of Federal Way’s St. Francis Hospital, as interim president at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw.

McLean has been president of St. Francis since 2008. Prior to joining CHI Franciscan, he was vice president of operations at Virginia Mason Health System in Seattle, where he had oversight for clinical service lines and ambulatory care.

Read more at the Business Examiner here.

EvergreenHealth’s Chief Financial Officer Chrissy Yamada recently earned recognition as one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2015 CFO of the Year winners.

The program, now in its ninth year, honors top-performing financial executives who exemplify leadership, protect the company’s bottom line and serve their community. This year, the publication awarded eight financial leaders around the region for their stewardship and adding financial security to the economy through their role within public, private and nonprofit companies.

For more information about this award and the honorees, read this article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

To further strengthen the nation’s infectious disease response capability, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has selected the Washington State Department of Health in partnership with Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital in Spokane as one of nine special regional treatment centers for patients with Ebola or other severe, highly infectious diseases.

HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has awarded approximately $20 million through its Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to enhance the regional treatment centers’ capabilities to care for patients with Ebola or other highly infectious diseases. ASPR will provide an additional $9 million to these recipients in the subsequent four years to sustain their readiness.

WSHA was proud to partner with DOH during the initial response to Ebola, and continues to work to help coordinate efforts among the many hospitals and health systems who stepped up to respond.

Read more about this notable designation on the HHS website or in this article by the Kitsap Sun. (Lilia Cabello Drain)

Every year, Practice Greenhealth awards 25 hospitals with the recognition of being leaders in sustainability and ecologically viable practices. This year, four Washington hospitals were recognized: Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington Medical Center and Virginia Mason Hospital & Seattle Medical Center.

For more information about this award and the movement toward innovation and environmental excellence, read this article or visit the Practice Greenhealth website. (Lilia Cabello Drain)

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In Memorial: Dave Broderick

Washington Hospital Services has expanded our Industry Partner Program with the addition of Carena MD! Carena MD provides a tele-medical solution via their virtual clinic that has already seen success in our member community. With the Washington State Legislature’s passage of a law ensuring payment for services delivered through telemedicine, Carena MD could be a great opportunity for anyone interested in virtually expanding their services. To learn more, visit www.carenamd.com  or contact Paul Unsworth at (206) 577-1806.