News

You are invited to join WSHA members in a learning cohort to facilitate improved treatment and outcomes for opioid use disorder (OUD) in the emergency department (ED), including adoption of OUD screening, buprenorphine initiation and rapid referral to long-term medication assisted therapy (MAT) providers. OUD is recognized as a chronic condition requiring evidence-based MAT. EDs–often... Read More >>

Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff or CDI, is one of the most common causes of healthcare associated bacterial gastrointestinal infections in adults that can become life threatening. Additionally, over the past decade, there has been an increase of CDI among hospitalized children, especially those with diagnoses associated with immunosuppression or antibiotic administration. C.... Read More >>

In response to feedback from members, WSHA has made several significant changes to the structure of our training events in 2019. New name: WSHA has rebranded our training events as “Learning Collaboratives” to reflect aim of coming together to improve safety and quality at a regional level. The “Safe Table” name will be used solely... Read More >>

WSHA is thrilled to welcome Darcy Jaffe as the new senior vice president for safety and quality! Darcy will bring a collaborative, authentic approach to advancing safety and quality in our region, assisting our members in improving the health of the communities they serve. Darcy has a master’s degree in nursing and is an advanced... Read More >>

I am thrilled to welcome Darcy Jaffe to WSHA as our new senior vice president for safety and quality. Darcy will bring a collaborative, authentic approach to accomplishing WSHA’s shared goals and outcomes. I am excited to work with her in setting regional standards for safety and quality and assisting our members in improving the health of the communities they serve.... Read More >>

WSHA is currently enrolling hospitals to participate in a program known as Better Prescribing, Better Treatment, which provides opioid prescribers with feedback reports. Our goal is to enroll 100 percent of our state’s hospitals.... Read More >>

This week, I invite you to join me in recognizing one of the most effective, yet often overlooked, methods of preventing the spread of germs – handwashing. National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 2 – 8) is a good time to revisit handwashing and how it can impact Washington patients and staff.... Read More >>

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with WSHA, would like to offer hospitals a reminder regarding best practices and points of contact during challenges connected to a disaster or medical surge event. DOH is prepared to offer hospitals assistance regarding capacity and regulatory issues if such an event occurs.... Read More >>

It’s not too late to get your flu shot! Join WSHA in celebrating National Influenza Week by getting your flu shot today. Maybe you’ve been vaccinated this season already? You can still participate by helping us promote flu vaccination activities this week utilizing these promotional tools and materials in your organization.... Read More >>

The earthquake in Alaska last week is a good reminder about the importance of being prepared for a disaster both personally and organizationally. While it may take many months to repair the damage in Anchorage, particularly to roads, experts have praised the people of Alaska for their quick response and noted that the outcome could have been much worse.... Read More >>