Tight credit market delays construction of Snoqualmie Valley Hospital’s new facility
August 11, 2010
The new Snoqualmie Valley Hospital won’t be opening this year or next year, as hospital district officials had initially hoped.
King County Hospital District No. 4, which operates the hospital, is still securing financing for the $40 million project, according to Rodger McCollum, the district’s CEO.
The district plans to use a combination of money from the sale of the current hospital and bonds backed by the federal government.
Much of the cost will be covered by money from the Snoqualmie Tribe, which has agreed to buy the existing hospital facility for $30 million. The final payment is due May 2015.
The rest of the cost will be covered by the sale of federally-backed bonds available through a program that helps hospitals get credit. But the district must be approved to participate in the program, run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Federal Housing Administration.
To qualify, the district must show three years of positive revenue — more money coming in than going out.
Snoqualmie Valley hospital district closes two clinics
July 29, 2010
NEW — 4:24 p.m. July 29, 2010
Editor’s note: This story has corrected information about the number of employees laid off.
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital has closed its Fall City and North Bend medical clinics and plans to redistribute its resources on new technology, CEO Rodger McCollum said.
Both clinics began operating in 2005, when the Valley had a shortage of primary care providers after several left the area or retired, according to McCollum.
“We had a responsibility as a hospital district to make sure people had access to primary care,” he said. “That has changed substantially in the last six months.”
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Auxiliary raises green by selling greens at annual plant sale
April 28, 2010
NEW — 12:20 p.m. April 28, 2010
The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Auxiliary will hold a plant and bake sale at the Mount Si Senior Center. Above, six members of the auxiliary meet at the senior center to discuss their goals. (Photo by Laura Geggel)
Every year for 10 years, Mae McLean has grown flowers and plants to sell at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Auxiliary plant sale. This year, she is transplanting her hostas — a lily-like plant — into waiting flowerpots.
“I tell you, we sell them cheaper than at anywhere else,” McLean said.
The proceeds help the nonprofit raise money for its work with the hospital.
Ever since the hospital opened in 1983, the auxiliary has been at its side.
The auxiliary helps the hospital buy things on its wish list, including a resuscitation mannequin, wheelchairs, therapy equipment and emergency response buttons for low-income seniors in Snoqualmie Valley.
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital to host forum to share caregivers’ workload
April 15, 2010
NEW — 2:00 p.m. April 15, 2010
Caring for an elderly parent or spouse can be hard work, but there are resources in the Snoqualmie Valley that can make it easier.
SLIDESHOW | Getting patients to safety when seconds matter
March 3, 2010
0305-hospital-drill_01
NEW — 1:37 p.m. March 3, 2010
Murray Lorance said he didn’t feel so good. Pale and disoriented, he wandered into the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital emergency room, complaining of chest pain.
Attorney General Rob McKenna to speak at drug abuse forum in Snoqualmie Valley
January 22, 2010
NEW — 10:14 a.m. Jan. 22, 2010
Washington state Attorney General Rob KcKenna is scheduled to be the guest speaker during a Youth Prescription Drug Abuse Community Education Forum at Mount Si High School Feb. 24. Experts from the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and Seattle’s SAMA Foundation will join him. Read more
No more messy doctor handwriting
December 3, 2009
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital switches to electronic charts
Doctors are notorious for their scrawling handwriting on charts and prescription slips, but with the advent of electronic medical charts their legibility may soon become an antiquated joke. Read more
Enrollment grows for hospital-based insurance programs
November 19, 2009
When Denny McClain got a cold a few winters ago, he didn’t go to the doctor to avoid paying out of pocket for an appointment. His symptoms worsened and by the time he couldn’t put off an office visit any longer, he had bronchitis and walking pneumonia. Read more
Enrollment begins for hospital’s Affordable Access Program
August 20, 2009
Enrollment for Snoqualmie Hospital’s Affordable Access Program is going well, according to Clinic Operation Administrator Kris Haight.
“We’ve heard from people in the community who can’t afford health care that this is a great offering,” Haight said.
The Affordable Access Program will provide primary care services such as checkups, physicals and other visits to the North Bend Medical Clinic for a monthly rate of $30. Beyond the monthly rate, enrollees will pay only $5 per clinic visit, and a one-time $45 set-up fee. The program does not cover specialty and emergency care.
Hospital set to start care program in August
July 17, 2009
A pilot program for the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District’s primary health care coverage plan begins Aug. 1.
The program is designed to make access to primary health care coverage more affordable for uninsured and underinsured individuals. For $30 a month, and a one-time $45 registration fee, participants can see primary care physicians at the North Bend clinic for a $5 co-pay.
If the program is successful, it will expand to the district’s other clinics.
The pilot program will last for 60 days. It will only register 100 for primary care coverage. However, if the program expands, there will be no cap on the number of people who can participate, said Hospital District CEO Rodger McCollum.
