Substance-Use Disorder strategies possible future initiative of Hospital District

DAYTON-Columbia County Hospital Commissioners recently considered a possible future initiative: finding ways of meeting the needs of patients once discharged who struggle with substance-use disorder, unstable housing, lack of transportation and/or co-occurring behavioral health diagnoses in offering post-discharge assistance to prevent readmission. This would include offering housing support, treatment options for inpatient substance use disorder and a transportation plan, as well as connecting them with specialists and other providers. Hiring someone to handle these cases may be needed. Addressing these needs would improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of care, said McGuire, but specific funding is not readily available, and they would need to build proof of concept.

CCHS supported three recent local forums to help users understand changes in Medicare and Medicare Advantage services in the hospital district. Over 50 participated.

The Board of Commissioners resolved to amend the By-Laws to update the mission, vision, and values, to reflect RCW 42.12.080 concerning board vacancies, and remove credentialing and recredentialing of physicians from the Risk Management Program. The update made to the mission, vision, and values was to emphasize service excellence, timely solutions, and holistic, high-quality, patient-centered care.

A special budget meeting is scheduled for November 12 at 10 a.m. The next regular board meeting will be on December 4 at 1:30 p.m. instead of the usual fourth Wednesday of the month for both November and December.