1. Hospital Perspective Caryl Johnston, M. H. A
Hospital Perspective Caryl Johnston, M.H.A. Director, Northwest Hospital Alliance
Advances in Effective Primary Care in Rural Areas
Solutions to Idaho’s Rural Health Care Crisis
Idaho Healthcare Summit
May 18, 2018

4. Mission
The Northwest Hospital Alliance exists to provide a regional cooperative approach to the delivery of rural health care.
Organized in 1991 by the CEO’s of the five hospitals to develop a structure to work together towards the betterment of regional health services.
These hospital administrators recognized the common needs in their healthcare organizations, and the ability to be more effective and efficient by collaborating and working together.

5. Our Work
Group Contracting and Cost Savings: attain better pricing through volume
Services contracted to the CAH members from Kootenai Health
Information Systems
Network
Electronic Medical Record
Other Software and Interfaces

6. Peer Groups and Initiatives
Sharing Information and Policies
Problem Solving
Projects and Initiatives
DNV Accreditation
Care Transitions
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Time Sensitive Emergencies
Palliative Care and Advanced Directives
Opioid Misuse
Behavioral Health

7. Education Grant Opportunities Nursing Grand Rounds
Workshops and Conferences
Shared Clinical Experience
SIM Trainings
Grant Opportunities
Over 7 million

8. Workforce: Lab Scientists
Lab Scientists
Collaboration with Sacred Heart, Idaho State University and Oregon Health Sciences University
Clinical rotations to provide rural experience
Nursing
NIC Health Sciences programs

9. Workforce: Family Practice Residency – Kootenai Health
Kootenai Health Services lines supporting rural communities
Cardiology
Cancer Services
Nephrology
Rheumatology
Employment of physician by Kootenai contracted
to a regional partner
Exploration of Joint Recruitment