OLYMPIA – After a full day reviewing the 100+ page document from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recapping where Western State Hospital missed the mark to retain its federal funding, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) released the termination letter and the entire report to the public.
“We’ve had the initial opportunity to look at the information in the report and now will turn our focus to analyzing the details and what actions we need to take,” announced Cheryl Strange, Secretary of DSHS. “The work to improve the quality of care for our patients at Western is unending.”
In its letter to the hospital, CMS noted that although surveyors determined Western was not in compliance with four of the 26 conditions of participation (Governing Body; Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program; Nursing Services; and Physical Environment) the hospital made significant strides improving areas previously found to be in non-compliance.
“We are a better hospital than we were in June 2016 and we will continue working to improve the mental health system in our state,” said Strange.
To review the CMS survey report in its entirety, please visit the DSHS website.
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