LAKEWOOD, WA --The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced that Western State Hospital has been provided an extension to the Systems Improvement Agreement (SIA) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
CMS extended the current agreement for 60 days during which CMS will work with the Department to identify next steps for the hospital. The progress to date earned the hospital the opportunity for this extension during which the hospital will continue to be certified by CMS and maintain its eligibility for federal funding.
CMS and DSHS entered into the original agreement in June 2016 to fix systemic operating problems at the hospital and restore the focus on patient treatment and overall safety.
The CMS survey, conducted in May 2017, was an extremely rigorous review by 23 experienced surveyors. It covered all areas of hospital operations and lasted nearly three weeks. Their feedback was provided to the Department on June 28, 2017 in a Form 2567 Statement of Deficiencies.
WSH was able to show CMS noticeable progress at the hospital, including significant improvements in areas such as active psychiatric treatment. Continuously cited as critically deficient in prior surveys, improvements made by WSH resulted in no CMS report of deficiencies in psychiatric care services, which is a core function for psychiatric hospitals. While CMS’ 2567 reflected the great progress made during the past year, it identified areas that still require more time to show full implementation and sustainability.
“Our journey to transform Western State Hospital continues,” said Carla Reyes, DSHS assistant secretary for the Behavioral Health Administration “I’d like to thank all of the team members who have focused every day on tackling the many changes we’ve made, including the 172 items that were in the Corrective Action Plan approved by CMS. I’d also like to thank Governor Inslee for his unwavering support and the Legislature for significant investments in making necessary improvements at the Hospital. We have more to do, but I know the team is committed to forging ahead to successfully implement remaining improvements.”
WSH serves many patients who are also living with complex and varied medical illnesses. The agency’s review of the 2567 identifies that while WSH has made great strides to improve psychiatric care at the hospital, there are still improvements needed in areas of medical care—such as physical therapy, dietary services, radiology and monitoring of seclusion and restraint. Additional improvements are needed in janitorial services, food service processes as well as repairs to the hospital’s aging facility and replacement of broken equipment and furnishings.
The hospital’s Governing Body, which is made up of leadership from DSHS and WSH executive staff, is responsible to ensure all deficiencies are corrected and that additional analysis and quality measures are in place to prevent future deficiencies and demonstrate changes being made are sustainable into the future.
“Thank you Western State Hospital team. We walked into uncharted territory in setting up this SIA and working together to make so many significant changes in a very short time” said DSHS Acting Secretary Bill Moss.
Cheryl Strange, CEO for the hospital also shared her pleasure to continue the ongoing work to transform Western by saying, “I am honored to serve in a state so dedicated to improving the safety and care of patients with mental illnesses and to continue on our journey to improve Western.”
In accordance with the requirements from CMS, the Department will submit a Plan of Correction that addresses the findings noted in the 2567. A copy of the letter from CMS dated June 28, 2017, the 2567, the short-term extension and the original SIA can be found on the DSHS web page.
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