EvergreenHealth Named One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Specialty Care

 The health system is among Healthgrades’ nationally ranked top hospitals in four specialty areas

 Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth announced today that it has been named among America’s 100 Best™ hospitals in several specialty care areas by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. The health system once again earned recognition for excellence in stroke care, pulmonary care, gastrointestinal care, and general surgery, as part of Healthgrades’ 2021 Report to the Nation. 

EvergreenHealth Supports COVID-19 Testing

 EvergreenHealth Opens New Molecular Laboratory to Support COVID-19 Testing

 

Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth held the grand opening of its new in-house molecular testing laboratory on October 15. The new lab will support EvergreenHealth’s non-urgent COVID-19 testing needs and will increase testing output for the health system by more than 270 tests per day, making COVID-19 testing more readily available to Kirkland and the surrounding Eastside community.

The new lab will use Applied Biosystems technology (ABI) in conjunction with its current testing platform, Cepheid GeneXpert. Together these two systems will be able to run more than 300 COVID-19 tests per day and deliver results to patients within approximately 24 hours. Prior to introducing the ABI technology, the lab was able to process between 20 and 30 tests per day.

 “I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated team, who in just 10 short weeks was able to open our new in-house COVID-19 testing site,” said Troy Harrell, Manager of Lab Technology Operations & Quality. “Expanding access to accurate, timely COVID-19 testing is critical to local and regional prevention efforts – and with this innovative technology, we will more efficiently and effectively serve our community, as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together.”

Testing with ABI technology is performed in batches of up to 94 patient specimens at a time. Typically, a single testing batch takes a few hours to complete, which includes specimen prep, RNA extraction, PCR amplification and data analysis—all of which are essential to providing accurate and comprehensive test results. The ABI system can perform up to three batches per day.

 While the new molecular lab will solely be dedicated to COVID-19 testing needs for the time being, the technology will be instrumental in improving testing capabilities for a wide variety of infectious diseases, cancer markers, genetic abnormalities and much more for the Eastside community.

UPDATED: I Won't Get Taxed Out Of The City I Love - This Year

OPINION:  Said the Seattle Times on January 28th,, "a group of Harborview County hospital stakeholders is likely to vote Wednesday to recommend that County Executive Dow Constantine and the County Council place a $1.7 billion bond measure on the November ballot to revamp Harborview."  The stakeholders voted yay.

Once passed, the Harborview Medical Center bond will cost about $90 / year on property assessed at $580,000.  There's a strong provision for expanded Behavioral Health facilities.  

We still await the LWSD Superintendent and Board's decisions on their planned 2022 and 2026 bond measures.  In the meantime, we continue to pay the school district a 6-year levy of $20M/year.

I recently learned King County property taxes will increase 13.7% in 2020.  Also, the King County Parks, Recreation, Trails and open space levy was approved for 2020 at a higher level. It's a 6-year property tax led lift priced at .1832/$1K property value.

Not to forget, Sound Transit 3 (ST3) taxes are approximately $1,000 per year for a family with an annual salary of $90K with vehicles worth $45K and a property valued at $450K.

At a council meeting last night our leaders said there may be a levy to pay for the regional aquatics center.

Will  EvergreenHealth propose a reasonable bond measure for funding seismic upgrades this year?  Will car tab prices remain as is? Will the city propose their safety levy this year?  Will the city raise their 1% property tax to 3% to account for inflation.  Any of these I can live with despite my fixed income, at least for this year. Then, I may be on my way.  

  -- Bob Yoder
     3/5/2020

Coronavirus In Snohomish

The infectious disease officer at EvergreenHealth updated  staff and our commissioners on the virus this Tuesday, January 21.  I attended; they are fully prepared. B. Yoder

Contact: Lisa Stromme Warren, Washington State Department of Health, 360-628-7883

Heather Thomas, Snohomish Health District, 425-508-4980

Update on response to 2019 novel coronavirus in Washington state

OLYMPIA – Since announcing a case of 2019 novel coronavirus in Snohomish County, Wash., the state Department of Health (DOH) and Snohomish Health District have been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on interviewing the patient and beginning a contact investigation. This includes establishing a detailed travel history with the patient and identifying close contacts who may have experienced some level of exposure.

Health officials are actively monitoring these contacts, which means a public health worker will call each person daily to check for symptoms like fever or respiratory issues. Should one of these close contacts develop symptoms, they will be instructed to immediately contact the public health worker, who will help arrange a medical evaluation.

EvergreenHealth Sets Sights On Behavioral Health Urgent Care

In 1998, Chairman Al DeYoung of EvergreenHealth wrote a letter to the community stating EvergreenHealth's Vision was to "be an inclusive health care system and the most trusted source for community health care solutions." I'm truly appreciative of their inclusion of mental health -- as they are now seriously evaluating a much needed Behavioral Health Urgent Care clinic; and other services.

Quality psychiatric care, fewer visits to the ER's, lower patient costs, and countering stigma are major benefits of behavioral health urgent care.

Last week I attended a suicide prevention workshop at Redmond High School and ran into several EvergreenHealth social workers who assess students for suicide and other mental health issues. Erin, the social worker for RHS said she's done 80 assessments in her two years. Suicide is at crisis levels in our high schools! 8th graders struggle very much too.

In a big way, this suicide crisis sparked the "Mental Health First Aid program" for adults assisting young people. I took the class to prepare for LWSD's Lunch Buddy mentoring program; it's very helpful. EvergreenHealth in conjunction with the LW Foundation taught 4 classes last year with more to come. One of the LW Schools Foundation themes for this year is mental wellness. I hope some of EvergreenHealth commissioners and some staff will attend their annual spring luncheon....and you too!

I'm thankful for EvergreenHealth's "In-Home Mental Health Program." It's a great program for adult, seriously impaired medicaid patients who lack mobility, and it doesn't cost the hospital a dime. Evergreen is starting to do some really good things for mental health in our community. I hope they keep moving forward.

-- Bob Yoder

UPDATED: EvergreenHealth Moving Forward

According to EvergreenHealth's Communications Officer, the Emergency Department is considering a Behavioral Health Urgent Care clinic.  The hospital is taking a look at Everett's Providence Hospital model.  The Urgent Care model would 1) lighten the load of EvergreenHealth's busy emergency department, 2) cut hospital costs, 3) improve care and 4) help make those seeking behavioral health as seamless as those seeking medical care.

On another note:  Three Redmond city councilmembers and I walked with an EvergreenHealth banner during the annual NAMI Mental Health Walk to raise awareness.  A vice President within the EvergreenHealth organization gave me the banner and promised the hospital would open an out-patient mental health clinic if their $325M bond passed. The bond failed and we have no clinic.

The failed $325M bond measure also included seismic upgrades, relocating their Critical Care Unit  (CCU) and renovating their Family Maternity Center (FMC.)  Though, the hospital won't build a modest mental health clinic, they're moving forward with their plans to relocate and enhance the CCU and FMC with a $70,000,000 loan.  As for seismic upgrades, still no word and it doesn't look good.

-- Bob Yoder

Source:  Board of Commision public meeting minutes, 12/3/19
              Kay Taylor, Marketing and Communications V.P.
              

UPDATED OPINION: Redmond Could Be A Regional Leader In Mental Health Care

Mayor Birney's Vision Statement was just released: "A connected community that enhances livability and sustains the environment, and that places Redmond as a leader locally, regionally, and nationally." 

 I really like it.  

During the city official swearing in ceremony Minerva Butler of the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners addressed the council and mayor encouraging the in-coming councilmembers and mayor and lauding the out-going city officials. The City appears tightly connected with EvergreenHealth and Redmond should have every reason to work with this public hospital toward their goals for improved community health.
  
One health service seriously lacking at EvergreenHealth is mental health care -- though I commend the hospital for recently taking a small step to hire a part-time psychiatrist for treatment of their Parkinson's patients.  EvergreenHealth's service area is over 1 million residents. Their families  deserve much better mental health care than a part-time doctor and restricted in-home care.

It's a known fact that one in five Americans have a mental health condition in a given year.  This translates into well over 13,000 Redmond residents/year (for our population of 65,000) struggling in some way with their mental health. This need deserves action from our public hospital.

Currently, EvergreenHealth's commissioners are considering a "Behavioral Health Urgent Care" clinic to treat suicidal, depressed and anxious residents.  Redmond officials should use their connections to help make this happen.  EvergreenHealth serves Kirkland, Woodinville, Kenmore, and Bothell, as well.  Redmond has the opportunity to be a local and regional leader for mental health care; our mayor should not pass this by.   

- Bob Yoder

EvergreenHealth Property Taxes Approved

The "Silver Tower" of EvergreenHealth Med. Ctr. 

During the EvergreenHealth Public Hearing of November 15th, 2019 the seven commissioners voted unanimously to approve a 2020 Regular Tax Levy of $19,311,562 (Resolution No. 907-19.) 

An Excess Proper Tax Levy authorized for 2019 for repayment of UTGO bonds is $8,292,000 for calendar year 2020 was approved (Resolution No. 907-19.)  These bonds are the residual of a bond measure passed by 60% years ago to pay for the Silver Tower and new Emergency Department. 

-- Source:  Public Record Request

EvergreenHealth resorts to voter-shaming in Prop 1 mailers

MyNorthwest.com article on Prop. 1 shaming

King 5 - "Woodinville Foundation" Apologizes For Election Mailers Shaming Voters

According to the PDC, The EvergreenHealth Foundation spent over $547,000 for "get out the vote" ads. Besides copious mailers, they placed ads on Pandora and even CNBC.  $83,000 of the funds was dark money laundered though a non profit (Source:  Disclosure Act, Public Record Request)

The bond lost by 2%

B. Yoder, opinion

The gem of EvergreenHealth's Proposition 1

The 5K  "National Alliance For The Mentally Ill" Walk to "bust stigma"
supports in part, EvergreenHealth's goal to build an outpatient mental health clinic

When voting on EvergreenHealth's Prop. 1 measure you may not be aware of a hidden gem in this bond.  Our elected officials (commissioners) decided to build an outpatient mental health clinic if we pass the bond!

The need is definitely there. According to the "National Institute of Mental Health": 

• One in 25 have a serious mental health illness like bipolar, eating disorders, major depression and severe anxiety. 
• Only 41% of adults in the U.S. with a mental health condition received mental health services in the past year. Among adults with a serious mental illness, 62.9% received mental health services in the past year.
• Just over half (50.6%) of children with a mental health condition aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year
• Suicide is now the Number 2 killer of our teens.

So please know Prop. 1 is more than seismically retrofitting Evergreen's oldest buildings and upgrading the 1985 Critical Care Unit. It's also about "the forgotten people" --  our mentally challenged residents and their families crying for care. 

Please vote "Yes" on Proposition 1.

-- Bob Yoder

EvergreenHealth Seeks Community Support In August Election

EvergreenHealth supporters take the NAMI 5 K Walk to bust stigma

Approval of Proposition 1 will fund critical upgrades to the health system’s Kirkland medical center campus without increasing district tax rate

Kirkland, Wash. – This August, residents of Public Hospital District No. 2 will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 1, a measure that will strengthen and expand the EvergreenHealth Medical Center campus in Kirkland. Proposition 1 will support funding for a series of projects included in “EverHealthy,” EvergreenHealth’s strategic master facilities plan, to ensure that the growing population of families can continue to count on safe, quality care within their community well into the future.

Safety is the primary impetus of the projects included in Proposition 1, featuring seismic upgrades to facility infrastructure and disaster readiness; a new and relocated Critical Care Unit; a new medical office building for outpatient programs such as mental health; an expanded and upgraded Family Maternity Center; and the purchase of advanced life-saving medical equipment, technology and facility upgrades to support these projects, and poise the organization for ever-evolving technology and the next generation of care– all of which are critical to ensuring EvergreenHealth remains the community’s most trusted source for health care solutions.

EverHealthy will be funded by a $345 million bond, which will extend the longevity of district residents’ current property tax rate that will otherwise expire in 2023. The funding structure will not increase the tax rate for district homeowners; rather, approving Proposition 1 will maintain the current tax rate.

EvergreenHealth Proposes $345 Million Bond Measure

EvergreenHealth residents participated in the 5K NAMI Walk to support mental health care  

On August 6, 2019, residents in our district will vote on Proposition 1, to fund a $345 million general obligation bond measure. 

The Bond has five main areas of focus, including:

• Primarily a critical safety project, with over 60% allocated to seismically retrofit our oldest buildings and replace aging 1970s-era infrastructure in the core of the hospital. In the event of a major disaster, this is critical for EvergreenHealth to continue to function and serve the community.
• Relocate and upgrade our Critical Care Unit so patient rooms will be able to accommodate vital modern equipment and technology.
• **Construct a medical building for programs such as outpatient mental health.
• Upgrade and expand our Family Maternity Center.
• Provide life-saving medical equipment, technology and facility upgrades to support these projects, and poise our organization for ever-evolving technology and the next generation of care.

"Since 1972, our community has embraced EvergreenHealth as the Eastside’s public hospital district, supporting our organization’s evolution every step of the way, as we strive to meet the growing needs of our patients and enrich the health and well-being of every life we touch.

We thank the residents of our district for their forward-looking vision over the past 47 years and continued partnership in helping us meet the ever evolving needs of our growing community through though this bond initiative."

-- EvergreenHealth Website

**Changed from the previous Bond -- outpatient mental health is now part of the initiative they say!

May is "Mental Health Awareness Month"

Prevalence Of Mental Illness

• Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. (46.6 million) experiences mental illness in a given year.1 
• Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. (11.2 million) experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.2
• Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%.3
• 1.1% of adults in the U.S. live with schizophrenia.4
• 2.6% of adults in the U.S. live with bipolar disorder.5
• 6.9% of adults in the U.S.—16 million—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.6
• 18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias.7
• Among the 20.2 million adults in the U.S. who experienced a substance use disorder, 50.5%—10.2 million adults—had a co-occurring mental illness.8

Social Stats

• An estimated 26% of homeless adults staying in shelters live with serious mental illness and an estimated 46% live with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders.9
• Approximately 20% of state prisoners and 21% of local jail prisoners have “a recent history” of a mental health condition.10
• 70% of youth in juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness.11
• Only 41% of adults in the U.S. with a mental health condition received mental health services in the past year. Among adults with a serious mental illness, 62.9% received mental health services in the past year.8
• Just over half (50.6%) of children with a mental health condition aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year.12
• African Americans and Hispanic Americans each use mental health services at about one-half the rate of Caucasian Americans and Asian Americans at about one-third the rate.13
• Half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14; three-quarters by age 24. Despite effective treatment, there are long delays—sometimes decades—between the first appearance of symptoms and when people get help.14

Consequences Of Lack Of Treatment

• Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.15
• Mood disorders, including major depression, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18–44.16
• Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions.17 Adults in the U.S. living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions.18
• Over one-third (37%) of students with a mental health condition age 14­–21 and older who are served by special education drop out—the highest dropout rate of any disability group.19
• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 10–34.20
• More than 90% of people who die by suicide show symptoms of a mental health condition.21
• Each day an estimated 18-22 veterans die by suicide.22

Citations

"425 magazine" awards EvergreenHealth for sixth time

Kirkland, Wash. – 425 magazine recently recognized EvergreenHealth as the Eastside’s “Best Hospital & Health System” in the publication’s 2019 Best of 425 poll. The award honors EvergreenHealth for the sixth time in seven years for delivering high-quality, comprehensive care and services to patients and their families throughout King and Snohomish Counties.

Each year 425, the Eastside’s premier lifestyle publication, asks readers to vote for their most preferred local organizations, from hotels and museums, to attorneys and health care providers.

Election Results: LWSD levy is ahead, EveregreenHealth behind

ELECTION RESULTS

CLICK "ELECTION RESULTS" FOR DAILY UPDATES

LWSD Proposition 1, Capital Projects Levy 

(50% majority required.)  

 53.95% "Yes" 

 46.05% "No" 

Public Hospital District No. 2 (EvergreenHealth) Proposition 1, Bonds for Hospital and Other Health Care Facilities. 

(60% majority required + at least 56,283 people needed who vote in the election living in the hospital district)

57.38%  "YES"

42.62%  "NO"  

55,537 votes counted, 3,771 to count, 26.47% turnout. 

Next ballot count at 4:00 PM, 4/24.

http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20190423/king/

Vote "YES" on the local measures

In thinking about the $345M EvergeenHealth 20-year bond, I can accept a need for seismic updates, a new critical care unit and enhanced maternity center but why couldn’t they tease out a million dollars for psychiatric care for which we have none?  A million dollars could pay for an out-patient psychiatric clinic in one or more key district cities like Kenmore.  Overhead for these clinics is lower than urgent care facilities which need expensive equipment like ultrasound and more extensive infrastructure. Full service psychiatric nurses can perform just as a psychiatrist but at half the cost.  Evergreen has significant revenue and should be able to pay for these nurses, just as they do for nurses at their urgent cares. It appears, money spent enhancing the maternity center (which we already have) makes the $345 bond more palatable than mental health care. This saddens me. One in five Americans have a mental health condition according to the National Institute of Mental Health. As our community hospital, EvergreenHealth should take care of them.  All said and done, I will vote "YES" on Proposition 1 because I feel the expense is very low considering all that we are getting; and I want to support our community hospital.   

As for the LWSD Capital Bond Levy, I will be voting "YES" for all the right reasons. My only concern is about the money we are dumping into 11 of our schools for geothermal heating. Yes, geothermal is a wonderful thing but the payback period is 35 years for a 75-year school.  

I wish I could be more excited about paying for all these valuable improvements coming to our schools and the hospital.  In voting "YES" I feel passing these measures significantly moves our community forward during these critical times. Please vote.  

-- Bob Yoder 

###

On King County's "Localscape" I ran the numbers to find my 2019 tax from the proposed LWSD and EvergreeHealth public hospital measures, Simply enter your address. Also, find your 2019 taxes for the library, sound transit, port, flood control, city, county and other jurisdictions. 

https://localscape.spatialest.com/#kingcountyassessor/Tax

I learned my current 2019 tax is $5989.01

Based on 2018 property values, the LWSD Capital Bond Levy would cost me $196.04.
My 2018 LWSD local taxes cost $1735.  Thus, my total local taxes if  Proposition 1 passes is $1931.04. Approximately $196.00 will be levied for six years. If you have questions e-mail Shannon Parthemer at sparthemer@lwsd.org

Based on 2018 property values, the EvergreenHealth Proposition 1 Bond would cost me $121.68/year
My current 2019 property tax is $197. Current capital bonds debt retirement is $60.77. Thus, my total EvergreenHealth tax for 2019 after Proposition 1 is $257/year. If you have questions call Laurene Burton at 425.899.2667.

EvergreenHealth proposes $345 million bond for extensive seismic upgrades, a new critical care unit, and more

EvergreenHealth Medical Center

April 23rd, 2019 Special Election:   "One of the most critical components of the April 23rd, $345 million initiative are extensive seismic upgrades to the oldest areas of the original hospital built in 1972. While all facilities meet the building codes that were in place at the time of their construction, retrofitting those areas to today’s most advanced seismic standards will enable EvergreenHealth to remain a viable resource in the event of a catastrophic earthquake. Given the medical center campus’ geographical location, EvergreenHealth is slated by experts to be the most viable and accessible option for medical care after a catastrophic earthquake in the region.

A second component of the initiative is a modernized Family Maternity Center. Planned renovations include redesigned rooms to better accommodate families and provide space for advanced equipment and technology, an optimized layout that increases efficiency for provider teams, and an updated entrance and OB emergency department to offer a more comfortable environment for patients in early labor. Expanding the Family Maternity Center will also accommodate more families and laboring mothers.

The third feature is construction of a new Critical Care Unit (CCU) and relocating it to EvergreenHealth’s Silver Tower. Relocating the CCU to the third floor of the Silver tower will position it near other specialties that often coordinate with critical care providers, while also enhancing patients’ and families’ experience during their stay. 

The proposed ballot measure will provide $345 million over 20 years, which translates to an average of $0.18 per $1,000 of assessed home value per year over the life of the bonds. Thus, a homeowner of a $700,000 home in EvergreenHealth’s district would pay an average of $10.50 per month, for a total of $126 per year over the life of the bonds.  A $500,000 home would pay $91/year.

-- Kay Taylor, EvergreenHealth

To see the April 23rd Special Election ballot measure, "read more."
All ballots must be postmarked by April 23rd or placed in a drop box by 8 pm, the 23rd. Questions?  Call Laurene Burton at 425.899.2651

-- Evergreen press release

EvergreenHealth Launches "EverHealthy" Initiative

"EverHealthy" provides a blueprint for advancing the community's health through critical upgrades to the health system’s Kirkland medical center campus

Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth recently launched an initiative that, with community support, will strengthen and expand the health system’s Kirkland medical center to help meet the growing health care needs of the community. The initiative, “EverHealthy,” is part of the health system’s 10-year Master Facilities Plan, which seeks to ensure that the growing number of families within the public hospital district can continue to count on safe, quality care within their community well into the future.

The enhancements provided by EverHealthy – including upgrades to facility safety and disaster readiness; a new and relocated Critical Care Unit; a modernized Family Maternity Center; and infrastructure and technology and upgrades – will be funded by a $345 million 30-year bond that the community will have an opportunity to vote on in April.

Letter to the Editor of the "Redmond Reporter"

Looming taxes continue to burden property owners | Letter

• "Redmond Reporter" Friday, November 2, 2018 11:30am 
• LETTERS TO THE EDITOROPINION

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Looming taxes continue to burden property owners

In the City Council’s committee meeting on Oct. 23 Melisa Files, director of finance, reported:

1) Revenues were up by 5 percent of target and

2) Expenditures were 4 percent below target

So “we are in a nice place to be” says Ms. Files.

Yes we are, many thanks to the “surge in permitting fees” from development and a “one-time construction tax,” according to Files.

Historically, the city has assessed property owners the state’s maximum allowable 1 percent property tax. But times have changed and the city is swimming in revenue like never before from the massive development of our downtown and Overlake urban centers.

Owing to this unprecedented growth the city of Redmond should change their practices and forgo the 1 percent property tax this year. Residents are already burdened by looming school district taxes and an April King County Public Hospital District 2 tax initiative, among other taxes.

It’s time the city tightens their belt.

Bob Yoder

[The City went ahead and implemented the 1% tax. A $125M school district "Capital Projects Levy" measure will be on the April ballot.  King County Public Hospital District 2 is EvergreenHealth.  Evergreen's April $325M bond measure is for seismic retrofits.]

Todd Banks appointed EvergreenHealth commissioner

Currently four of seven commissioners are appointed, not elected.  IMO this is not healthy for the community. The commissioners continue to avoid providing full mental health services. In the April election a $325M measure will be on the ballot mostly to fund seismic retrofits.  According to an Executive Laurene Burton, the measure would cost property owners 0.18/1K. 

- B.Yoder


Kenmore Air president Todd Banks will fill the position previously held by retiring commissioner Jeannette Greenfield

Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners formally voted to approve the appointment of Todd Banks to represent the community at-large on the health system’s seven-member governing board.

Banks is president and general manager of the long-standing, family-owned Kenmore Air company. He brings a wealth of professional expertise and community involvement experience that will serve EvergreenHealth in advancing its vision to create an inclusive community health system that is the most trusted source for health care solutions.