The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about the new buprenorphine practice guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), effective April 28, 2021. The new guidance removes a key barrier to obtaining an X-Waiver for prescribing buprenorphine by exempting covered practitioners from certain requirements. This regulatory change will make it easier for practitioners to obtain an X-Waiver to prescribe buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about the new COVID-19 safety guidance for pharmacies issued by Washington State’s Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) and Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals and health systems about the new clean buildings standard that requires compliance as early as June 1, 2026. ... Read More >>

Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package with significant impacts on hospitals and health systems.... Read More >>

The purpose of this Bulletin is to inform WSHA and AWPHD members of the proportion of membership dues used for lobbying purposes... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide psychiatric hospitals and acute care hospitals with inpatient behavioral health programs or that accept Single Bed Certification guidance on when they may disclose information related to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment to a patient’s family and other close relations without the patient’s consent.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about two important changes to Washington State’s telemedicine laws. Washington State’s telemedicine payment parity law is in full effect as of January 1, 2021. Washington State’s mandatory telemedicine training for most health care professionals is now available and must be completed by June 30, 2021.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals that the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals will take effect in Washington state on October 31, 2020. The Department of Ecology (Ecology) adopted the EPA’s standards in new WAC 173-303-555 to provide clarity and ensure consistency between state and federal regulations. The EPA’s regulations first took effect August 21, 2019, and Ecology’s subsequent adoption may require modifications to your current dangerous waste management practices if your hospital is out of compliance with the federal standards.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform hospitals about the narrowed definition of “health care provider” as it applies to the employee leave exemptions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), effective September 16, 2020, until December 31, 2020. The narrowed definition means the leave exemptions only apply to health care providers who meet specific criteria described in the revised FFCRA leave exemption regulations.... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information to hospitals concerning the CMS Price Transparency Rule, which requires hospitals to post on their website in a machine-readable format an expanded definition of “standard charges”, including negotiated payment rates with insurers, for all services provided by the hospital. The rule also requires hospitals provide similar price information for at least 300 “shoppable services” in a consumer-friendly, searchable format. Hospitals must comply with the new rule effective January 1, 2021.... Read More >>