Our peer review service provides a systematic evaluation of quality and appropriateness of patient care and diagnosis. We offer on-site peer review to meet the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services conditions of participation for Critical Access Hospitals. We also offer focused reviews by specialists as part of credentialing and performance reviews. Our peer review services are now available to all hospitals in Washington State and Alaska.

Peer review site visits include:

• Review of up to 45 charts in specific areas defined by CMS, Department of Health, and the facility,
• A summary of findings written by the peer review physician with specific recommendations, and/or
• A presentation on the findings for the facility medical staff, quality improvement committee or CEO. Continuing medical education designed to share clinical best practices and provide tools for medical staff use in improving patient care quality is also provided.

Our Medical Directors
The peer review service employs eight physicians. All are board certified or board eligible in emergency medicine or family practice. They have been selected for their expertise, appreciation for rural hospital care quality, communication skills, and teaching ability. In addition to inpatient chart review, peer review physicians provide clinic chart review on request, consultation and assistance with hospital medical staff bylaws, and support and assistance for privileging and credentialing issues.

Specialty Chart Review
WHS contracts with highly respected specialists from across Washington State to provide chart reviews. Our current specialties are: Anesthesiology, Cardiology, ED, ENT, Endocrinology, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Hospitalist, Intensivist, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Geriatric, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, OB/GYN, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Podiatry, Radiology, Rheumatology, Thoracic Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery, Wound Care. We are constantly adding to our roster of specialists.

For more information, please contact:

• Rich Boucher
• Quality & Clinical Services Manager
• (206) 216-2504
• (206) 577-1942
• richb@wsha.org