'The whole thing is broken': Temp staffing costs strain WA hospitals
Amid a retention crisis, rural hospitals turned to pricey travel-nurse agencies with little oversight or transparency. Now they need a way forward.
hospitals
Washington hospitals are facing a financial crisis and it's impacting patient care
SPOKANE, Wash. – Washington hospitals are struggling statewide. The Washington State Hospital Association says bed availability and other services are being affected, and now…
Catholic hospitals’ growth impacts reproductive health care
PUTNAM, Conn. (AP) — Even as numerous Republican-governed states push for sweeping bans on abortion, there is a coinciding surge of concern in some Democratic-led states that options for reproductive health care are dwindling due to expansion of Catholic hospital…
New Washington law grants access to free healthcare
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- New legislation begins Friday, granting millions of people living in Washington access to free healthcare. The legislation was requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and requires hospitals to provide more financial assistance to those in need.…
Abortion rights in WA fall into limbo at religious hospitals
When hospitals merge with religious institutions, it weakens Washington's capacity to provide abortion care. What will that mean after Roe v. Wade?
Washington hospitals again strained by COVID-19 spread
Hospital officials in Washington are warning that facilities are heading toward another COVID-19 case peak amid high spread in the community.
Providence hospital aims to solve a staffing crisis with 'earn while you learn' program
SPOKANE, Wa. -- We've talked quite a bit about the staffing issues hospitals had during the pandemic, and it's not a new issue. Staffing…
Senate to discuss healthcare safe staffing standards bill on Thursday
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington Senate will have an executive session on the healthcare safe staffing standards bill Thursday. House Bill 1868 would focus on easing patient loads for healthcare workers, meaning hospitals could get fined for giving nurses/doctors too…
'Don't think we're there yet': Local hospitals prepared to perform elective surgeries, worry about fewer restrictions
SPOKANE, Wash. -- The governor says Washington is on its way out of the pandemic. While everyone wants to see that happen, local hospitals are worried it…
Bill to ease patient loads for healthcare workers advances to Senate
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Healthcare workers in Washington may finally get some relief to their workloads. The Washington State House of Representatives passed the Healthcare Safe Staffing Standards bill Sunday by a 55-43 vote. House Bill 1868 aims to create new…
Surge in COVID-19 cases strain local hospitals, cause policy changes
With omicron being highly contagious, it's impacting health care on all levels.
UW Medicine making contingency plan to combat staffing shortages
SEATTLE, Wash. -- The University of Washington plans to create a backup plan for staffing shortages. UW, like many other hospitals, is experiencing a high amount of traffic due to the omicron surge. Due to Governor Jay Inslee's decree, all…
Many Washington community buildings to switch to solar energy
Various Washington community buildings around the state are making the switch to solar after the Department of Commerce issued a $3.5 million grant to cut energy costs and reduce pollution. The State wants to showcase the wonders of modern technology and what it can do to make a greener future.
Panhandle Health District no longer operating under crisis standards of care
BOISE, Idaho -- The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has deactivated crisis standards of care for healthcare systems in the Panhandle Health District. DHW said while the number of COVID patients remains high, the surge is no longer exceeding…
Miracle Monday: Infant born at 27-weeks defies the odds and now has a bright future ahead of him
Nash was born at just 27 weeks and spent the first five months of his life in the hospital. His parents had been anxiously awaiting this day for quite a while, but it was worth the wait.
A vast majority of health care workers in Washington are vaccinated against COVID-19
SEATTLE, Wash. -- A statewide survey of hospitals and health systems in Washington showed an increase in health care worker vaccinations ahead of the state deadline. The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) surveyed members about their staff vaccination rates ahead…
Misinformation leads to animosity toward Idaho health care workers
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A constant barrage of misinformation has Idaho health care workers facing increased animosity from some patients and community members, officials say. It’s gotten so bad in northern Idaho that some Kootenai Health employees are scared to…
Civil rights complaint targets Idaho health care rationing
An advocacy group filed a civil rights complaint against Idaho’s “crisis standards of care” guidelines for hospitals overwhelmed by patients.
Northeast Tri-County Health District: There have been more COVID deaths this month than in all of 2020
The latest data show 35 people have died of COVID this month already. There were 29 total COVID deaths in all of 2020.
Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake postpones elective surgeries
Hospital leaders say the reason for the postponements is staffing strains brought on by a surge of COVID-19 cases.
More relief funds go to Idaho hospitals, urgent care centers
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little says $10 million in relief funds will be directed to Idaho hospitals, primary care provider, urgent care clinics and skilled nursing facilities because of the surge in COVID-19 patients. Little announced the…
Washington hospital execs: little capacity to help Idaho
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington is facing its own COVID-19 crisis and has little capacity to help neighboring Idaho deal with an overwhelming surge of cases driven by unvaccinated people, state hospital executives and doctors said Monday. Taya Briley, executive vice…
Washington state identifies guidelines to prevent activating crisis standard of care
Despite the surge in hospitalizations, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) said partners are using strategies to stretch resources and mitigate challenges.
'It is a gut wrenching decision': Washington scrambles to keep state out of crisis care levels
Hospitals are strapped. On Tuesday, there were 1,674 patients hospitalized with COVID.
