News

The Maternal Mortality Review Panel recently released a public report outlining its findings and recommendations from the maternal death review for 2014 and 2015. The panel will soon reconvene to review maternal deaths that occurred in 2016. An update from Alexis Bates, Perinatal Health Consultant, and a letter from State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy highlight the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) progress and next steps for the subsequent review period.... Read More >>

The Puget Sound Chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and Washington State Department of Health are offering a one-day intensive workshop on Legionella prevention and outbreak management at the Tukwila Community Center October 30. The event will feature keynote speaker Janet E. Stout, Ph.D., and other national and regional experts.... Read More >>

A new, online and self-paced overview course on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) is now available through the MLN Learning Management System.... Read More >>

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Safety Program for Improving Antibiotic Use is now recruiting acute care hospitals, or individual units within hospitals, for participation in a 12-month project, beginning December 2017. This is a free program that incorporates both technical and behavioral components to improve antibiotic prescribing.... Read More >>

The QPP Hardship Exception Application for the 2017 transition year is now available on the Quality Payment Program website. MIPS eligible clinicians and groups may qualify for a reweighting of their Advancing Care Information performance category score to 0% of the final score and can submit a hardship exception application.... Read More >>

The American Hospital Association (AHA)/Health Research & Educational Trust just published a new Readmissions Trail Guide. This guide is intended to help hospitals identify where they are on the path of reducing readmissions so they can jump back on the trail to get to the desired destination. This tool can be used by hospitals that are just starting out or hospitals that have lost their way.... Read More >>

October 2, 2017 is the last day to start your 90-day reporting period, and March 31, 2018 is the deadline to attest. Qualis Health wants to help you be successful with the program. Below are three ways to prepare for success.... Read More >>

While the opioid epidemic has affected Americans in all communities, some communities have been hit harder than others. At PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, nearly half of the expectant mothers giving birth suffer from a component of substance abuse, which is more than double the statewide average. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray — who visited the medical center this summer — said it was one of the most shocking facts she had heard while visiting dozens of Washington hospitals during the congressional recess.... Read More >>

More WSHA member hospitals have earned recognition through the Washington State Department of Health’s Breastfeeding Friendly Washington Hospitals.... Read More >>

Adding patient and family engagement education to your hospital’s fall prevention bundle can help reduce fall rates in the acute care setting. Not only does this mean a better outcome for your patient, but also a savings for your hospital. Studies show that accidental falls in acute care settings have resulted in serious injuries to patients, to the extent that the Joint Commission has labelled fall-related sentinel events as a priority initiative (National Patient Safety Goal 9 -NPSG 9).... Read More >>