News

About 15 percent of adults smoked cigarettes in 2015, down from about 17 percent in 2014 and 21 percent in 2005, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cigarette smoking rates were higher among men than women, Native Americans than other racial and ethnic groups, and those with less education and income.... Read More >>

Nine children across the state have been hospitalized at Seattle Children’s over the past several weeks with symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare syndrome that causes varying degrees of paralysis. Three of the children are currently hospitalized, five have been released and one has died, the Washington State Department of Health announced last week.... Read More >>

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research has launched an early-stage clinical trial to test an inactivated Zika vaccine candidate in humans, the National Institutes of Health announced yesterday. It expects to complete the study by fall 2018.... Read More >>

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist Washington hospitals in reporting antimicrobial use through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Antimicrobial Use and Resistance module.... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 14 issued its final rule implementing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. WSHA staff is working diligently over the details.... Read More >>

One of our biggest focuses at WSHA on patient safety, and we continually work to make care safer and more effective for all of our state’s residents. During the last few years, we’ve participated in two Partnership for Patients initiatives with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that have made a tremendous impact in our communities, preventing 39,000 patient harms and saving $611 million in health care costs.... Read More >>

The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) has been selected as one of 16 national, regional, or state hospital associations; Quality Improvement Organizations; and health system organizations to continue efforts in reducing preventable hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions. The Hospital Improvement Innovation Network contracts were awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to build upon the collective momentum of the Hospital Engagement Networks and Quality Improvement Organizations to reduce patient harm and readmissions.... Read More >>

In March 2016, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6534, which created the Maternal Mortality Review Panel and directed it to conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary reviews of maternal deaths in Washington. Its purpose is to identify factors associated with maternal deaths and make recommendations for system changes that can improve health care for women in the state.... Read More >>

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a summary of key considerations for health care facilities, including hospitals and health systems, as they prepare to receive patients potentially infected with the Zika virus. The document outlines nine steps health care facilities should take, including knowing the clinical manifestations of the virus, how to assess pregnant women and advise against sexual transmission during pregnancy, reporting and use of standard precautions.... Read More >>

In Washington State, if you are caring for a patient suspected or confirmed of being infected with the Zika virus, contact your local health jurisdiction for reporting and assistance. You can also call Department of Health at 206-418-5500 for urgent situations if you cannot reach someone at your local health jurisdiction.... Read More >>