Vol. 35, No. 5: February 5, 2010
- Health Resources Strategy Report
- Trauma Designation
- Report Shows Nursing Shortage Persists in Washington
- Health Work Force Conference Scheduled for March
- Mark Your Calendars Now Rural Health Meetings
- UW Schedules Professional & Continuing Education Open House
Health Resources Strategy Report
The Health Resources Strategy Report required by Second Substitute Senate Bill 5930 (E2SSB 5930), Chapter 259, Laws of 2007, is now available in draft form for review on the OFM website. The report deals with demand and supply for care, regional variations, and additional data needs.
OFM will accept comments and revise the report where appropriate until February 12, 2010. All comments should be directed to SHPO@ofm.wa.gov. (Robb Menaul, robbm@wsha.org)
Trauma Designation
The state Department of Health (DOH), Office of Community Health Systems, starts a new trauma designation application period on February 24, 2010. Any health care facility that wants to participate in the trauma system to provide trauma care or trauma rehabilitation care (whether currently designated or not) must apply with the DOH. The trauma system includes the following levels of trauma designation:
- Levels I-V General
- Levels I-III Pediatric Trauma
- Levels I-III Trauma Rehabilitation
- Level I Pediatric Trauma Rehabilitation
The state is divided into eight EMS and Trauma Care Regions. A map with all of the regions outlined, showing every trauma designated facility, is at this link. Applications will be released in phases, starting with Central, North Central, and Southwest Regions, and Level 1 facilities. The schedule is at this link. All facilities applying for trauma designation must adhere to the newly revised Washington Administrative Code (WAC) that was adopted on December 17, 2009, which is at this link. Contact Sandi Shaw, the DOH Trauma Designation Administrator, with questions at (360) 236-2871 or sandi.shaw@doh.wa.gov. (Robb Menaul, robbm@wsha.org)
Report Shows Nursing Shortage Persists in Washington
A new report from the Washington Center for Nursing shows that the state’s nursing shortage is far from over and has been distorted by the recession. The report stresses the importance of maintaining the progress made in increasing the educational capacity in the state's schools of nursing. An exacerbating factor for Washington is the average age of working RNs here, 48.5 years, is older than the national average. The report focuses on nursing shortages. However, Washington State faces shortages across the health care spectrum. A forthcoming report from the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board's Health Care Personnel Shortages Task Force, which includes both the Center for Nursing and the Health Work Force Institute, will explore allied health positions in addition to nursing. The entire report from the Center for Nursing is available online. The finalized taskforce report will be shared in a future Weekly article. For more information contact Jaime Garcia, Executive Director, Health Work Force Institute, an affiliate of the Washington State Hospital Association, at jaimeg@wsha.org. (Beth Zborowski, bethz@wsha.org)
Health Work Force Conference Scheduled for March
Hospitals are invited to participate in Seattle Central Community College’s first annual Regional Health Care Education Conference on March 26. The conference will bring together educators, government agencies, health care providers and health care associations to discuss strategies to address shortages of allied health education. WSHA’s Health Work Force Institute is one of the sponsors of the conference and is actively working to find new ways to expand health care worker training and education. The theme of this year’s conference is Impacting Health Care Services for Diverse Communities Through Improved Health Care Education and Training. Learn more and register here. (Beth Zborowski, bethz@wsha.org)
Mark Your Calendars Now Rural Health Meetings
Two important rural health education events are now open for registration.
WEATHERING the PERFECT STORM: Challenges & Changes
8th NW Regional Critical Access Hospital Conference: March 23, 2010
23rd NW Regional Rural Health Conference: March 24-25, 2010
Red Lion Hotel at the Park in Spokane, WA.
Participants and presenters from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington will discuss strategies, innovations and success stories. For full schedule and registration information for both conferences click here. This conference is produced and supported by the five state offices of rural health. Funding provided by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Direct questions to Kaarin Appel, Area Health Education Center of Eastern Washington, WSU Extension, kappel@wsu.edu, (509) 358-7509. (Robb Menaul, robbm@wsha.org)
UW Schedules Professional & Continuing Education Open House
Meet faculty and staff, discuss industry trends, and learn how UW degrees and certificates for working professionals can help start or advance one’s career. The event is February 18, 5 - 8 p.m., at UW Tower, Seattle.
Programs include:
Certificate in Gerontology
Certificate in Geriatric Mental Health
Certificate in Health Care Regulatory Compliance
Certificate in Health Informatics & Health Information Management
Certificate in Medical Management
Executive Master of Health Administration
Professional Master of Science in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs
See the complete list of participating programs and RSVP for the open house. For more information, use extnadvising@extn.washington.edu or call the Enrollment Advising Center at toll-free at 1-888-469-6499. (Robb Menaul, robbm@wsha.org)