Health Alert Information from CDC-Eye Drops
This message is to notify long-term care (LTC) setting providers of important Health Alert information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). WHAT: Artificial tears are eye drops used for dry eyes. Antibiotic resistant organisms have been found in artificial tears products. The most common brand found to have the organism is EzriCare Artificial Tears, a […]
New Business Operations & Analysis Unit with RCS
As part of efforts to streamline and modernize business processes, Residential Care Services (RCS) has created a new unit called the Business Operations and Analysis (BOA) Unit. This unit will lead projects designed to improve statewide RCS operations and will oversee financial processes. RCS expects this will lead to improved public service and quicker processing […]
Home and Community Services (HCS) Contact Information & Quarterly Connection Q&A
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the first quarterly connection meeting with Home and Community Services leadership. These sessions as an opportunity for AFH providers and HCS leadership to discuss important topics you are interested in, provide updates and education, and most importantly, to come together to strengthen communication and […]
Rapid Response Teams & Critical Staffing Management
On January 5th DSHS sent out a message to remind you that they continue to contract with a temporary nurse staffing agency to provide Rapid Response Team critical staffing support. Please reference the links below for details on how to request this free service as well as guidance regarding critical staffing. Rapid Response Team Critical […]
RCS Transition to Paperless Work-Use of Electronic Fax to Deliver Notices
This letter is to share information about the Residential Care Services (RCS) transition to paperless work as it applies to delivery of Statements of Deficiency (SOD) and/or Enforcement letters for community Long-Term Care (LTC) settings. Starting November 15, 2022, RCS began trial use of an electronic fax (E-Fax) service to deliver SOD and/or Enforcement letters […]
Dear Provider Letter Re: Resident Confidentiality
A Dear Provider Letter published on November 28, 2022 is a reminder about the importance of safeguarding confidential resident information. The law prohibits disclosing a resident’s personal information with any person or organization except with the resident’s health care providers and the department. The law requires a signed consent from the resident or their legal […]
Welcome our New Advocacy Coordinator
My name is Amina Abdalla. I was born in a refugee camp in Kenya but grew up in Auburn WA. I received my Associate Degree from Green River College and attended Penn State University where I double majored in African Studies and Political Science. I come from a long line of providers. My mother has […]
Sign Up for Fit Test Training
Learn how to conduct your own respirator fit test to help protect your staff and stay in compliance with the respiratory protection regulations. The DOH Occupational Health Team have started training LTC facilities to conduct their own fit test. There are three steps: 1) Complete the pre-training work before attending the Fit Test Training webinar, […]
Important Overpayments Changes
Effective April 19, 2022, DSHS should no longer be issuing Vendor Overpayment Notices to adult family home operator. This is a temporary action while DSHS corrects some fundamental flaws in the overpayment process. If you receive an overpayment notice, please contact our office. Why is this happening?
Swedish to Adjust Operations at Ballard, Redmond During Labor Strike
January 25, 2020 Swedish will temporarily close two of its seven emergency departments and one of its Labor and Delivery units during the labor strike that SEIU 1199NW will conduct from Tuesday, Jan. 28 to Friday, Jan. 31. Swedish has contracted with temporary staffing agencies to bring in qualified, experienced replacement caregivers during the strike, […]
Medicaid Rate Increases for 2020
As a result of the Adult Family Home Council negotiations and advocacy Medicaid rates will increase in January and July of 2020. For more information on the efforts to increase our reimbursement and the current collective bargaining agreement please follow this link to our page on collective bargaining JANUARY 1, 2020 ALTSA ADULT FAMILY HOME RATES, […]
Ask DSHS
At the 2019 Fall conference, a panel of DSHS leadership will present on current DSHS initiatives and answer questions from providers. This is your opportunity to submit questions for the panel.
