DCHA was happy to host and be part of a thoughtful group of health care advocates serving on the Mayor’s Commission on Healthcare Systems Transformations. The first meeting on June 25 was a productive discussion of member priorities and concerns, along with approval of the bylaws. The Commission will consist of six subcommittees:

1. Equitable Geographic Distribution of Acute, Urgent and Specialty Care
2. Access to Critical Care and Urgent Care Services
3. Emergency Room Overcrowding & General Reliance on Inpatient Hospital Care
4. Allied Health Care Professionals
5. Discharge Planning & Transitions to Care
6. Value-Based Purchasing of Health Care Services

The Commission was established on June 3 to make recommendations to the Mayor on the strategies and investments necessary to transform health care delivery in the District of Columbia. The Commission’s work shall focus on developing recommendations that address the current stresses in the District’s health care system, while specifically targeting the following issues: improving access to primary, acute, and specialty care services, including behavioral health care; addressing health system capacity issues for inpatient, outpatient, pre-hospital and emergency room services; and promoting an equitable geographic distribution of acute care and specialty services in communities east of the Anacostia river.

Meeting minutes from June 25, 2019

The District of Columbia Hospital Association released a position paper outlining its vision for a health care system on the city’s East End. The document outlines our views and highlights the aspects we believe are critical to making health services for residents of Wards 7 & 8 sustainable. We have been very clear that a new acute care facility is not the cure all for the health system on the East End. The solution must encompass a hub model where specialists, primary care doctors, acute and sub-acute services work in concert to ensure that the system is all encompassing.

Press Release

Vision for Access and Sustainability

DC Hospitals Deliver More Than Medicine
DC hospitals are a driving force in community and economic development for the District of Columbia and beyond. Download and share this infographic to promote the benefits of hospitals-beyond just delivering medicine and care. The investment report highlights DC hospital contributions to uncompensated care, charity care, bad debt, community improvement projects, health professionals education, capital improvement projects, payroll and benefits and more.

Download Infographic

DC hospitals work every day to deliver compassionate, quality and safe patient care. DCHA is honored to highlight the incredible work of our member hospitals and their champions through a generous contribution from Ascension. DCHA will present awards to one clinical professional and one non-clinical professional who demonstrate a commitment to delivering better outcomes, driving improvement, strengthening care and engaging stakeholders. Awards will be presented at DCHA’s Patient Safety & Quality Summit on June 4.
Each winner receives $2,500. Deadine is April 17.

The Joint Commission announced yesterday, March 16, that in light of President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency regarding COVID-19, they will not interfere with the work of hospitals to prepare and care for patients during this pandemic. The Joint Commission is suspending all regular surveying beginning March 16, 2020. At this time, the Commission does not have an anticipated restart date. All postponed survey events will occur once normal operations resume. If any organizations go past their accreditation due date, accreditation will be extended without disruption to their accreditation status. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has assured that Medicare payment status also will not be affected.