NVH Newsletter September 2024
Road Construction:
It got a little harder to get to our campus, but for the most part, we are getting acclimated to the detours and traffic changes. If you are coming to the hospital, use caution and, in particular, watch for pedestrians along the detour route and by the ambulance’s bay.
Department of Health, CMS, and Fire/Life Safety Survey:
On August 6th a group of surveyors arrived to conduct a surprise inspection of Hospital and outpatient clinics. The surveyors were conducting both the state survey and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) survey. The surveyors were here for two and half days and spent time touring the facility, interviewing staff, observing, reviewing documentation, and inspecting the facility.
The surveyors reviewed their preliminary findings in an exit interview on August 8th, and emailed a Statement of Deficiencies on August 15th. The surveyors found 12 deficiencies for the Federal survey, and an additional 2 items that were state specific. The Fire Marshal identified 13 items for correction.
To give the you an example of the types of items here are a few of the deficiencies:
CMS/State:
The Med Staff Bylaws are overdue for review
An expired medication was found in a crash cart
We did not have a policy to provide emergency contraception for a sexual assault victim
A drainline on an ice machine was dirty
We failed to document vital signs following a blood transfusion
Fire Marshal:
Sprinkler heads found to be dirty or missing an escutcheon
An improperly mounted fire extinguisher was found
Several offices had electrical multi prong adapters in use, and a construction worker had run an extension cord under a door
A sprinkler head had items within 18 inches of it, and some sprinkler pipes had data cables touching them
Penetrations were observed in walls or smoke barriers
On August 22nd we submitted a Plan of Corrections to both fix the noted issues and also how to prevent them from occurring in the future. The surveyor team approved our Plan of Corrections and the Fire Marshal conducted a return survey on September 10th to review the corrections to ensure the fixes have been completed.
We strive to be transparent about the work we do and acknowledge that despite our efforts we have areas to continue to improve. Our goal is perfection, but this survey results are very typical and the deficiencies are easily corrected.
If you are interested in learning more about what the surveyor look for the Department of Health provides a list of the common deficiencies.
Flu Season:
As we enter flu season, it's more important than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce your risk of serious illness, and it helps protect those around you, especially the most vulnerable. Make sure to schedule your flu shot soon and stay healthy this season!
Oroville Farmers’ Market:
This Saturday is a healthcare-themed market day, and we will be representing NVH from 9-1. If you are in the area come stop by and say hello!
Public Hospital Districts:
As we visit with our friends and neighbors at community events like the Farmers’ Markets, one topic that comes up frequently is the lack of understanding about who and what we are. Some residents think we are affiliated with Confluence Health or just focused on Tonasket, but the reality is that we are an independent special purpose district, much like a school district. We serve everyone in our district, including Loomis, Oroville, Havillah, Tonasket, Chesaw, and Wauconda.
As a public hospital district, our mission is to ensure that the residents of our community have access to essential healthcare services, regardless of their location or financial situation. Established by the people we serve, we are a governmental organization funded through local taxes and patient revenues. This allows us to provide a wide range of medical services, from emergency care to routine checkups, and to operate hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities that address the unique health needs of our region. We are governed by an elected board of commissioners who represent the interests of our community, ensuring that we remain focused on providing high-quality, accessible care.
Check out this video from the Association of Public Hospital Districts that explains the work we do: What is a Public Hospital District?
Happy Environmental Services Week:
As we celebrate Environmental Services Week, we want to recognize and honor the hard work of our Environmental Services team. These dedicated professionals play an essential role in ensuring that our hospital and nursing home remain safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone. Their behind-the-scenes efforts make a big difference in protecting the health and well-being of our patients, residents, and staff. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to maintaining a healthy environment, and we encourage everyone to join us in celebrating this amazing team!
We didn't quite get the whole team together, but here is most of us!