LeadingAge WA Participates in Washington State Hospital Association Media Briefing

LeadingAge WA Participates in Washington State Hospital Association Media Briefing

Alyssa Odegaard, Vice President of Public Policy for LeadingAge WA was a guest panelist during a Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) media briefing on Monday, July 18th regarding the dire state of the healthcare system in WA State.

WSHA Hospital Capacity Media Briefing: https://vimeo.com/731099532/b85b2796c0

While capacity issues are not new, in recent years many hospitals in Washington state are currently “dramatically over capacity” and having issues with more strain on the system from delayed discharges and staff shortages than previously during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alyssa Odegaard discussed the lack of appropriate funding to support staffing in long term care.  She pointed out that many buildings have beds available for hospital discharges, however, they are unable to hire the staff needed to admit more hospital patients.

Several short term and long-term solutions were offered including: expansion of Rapid Response Teams (RRT), changes to guardianship laws, funding to pay livable wages to staff and development of a pipeline of caregivers and licensed staff.

 

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804

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July 20, 2022