Submitted by Capital Medical Center
UW Medicine and Capital Medical Center, in Olympia, Wash., have signed an agreement selecting UW Medicine as the healthcare system of choice for complex tertiary and quaternary care for Capital Medical Center patients. This strategic collaboration will provide Capital Medical Center patients prompt access to the highest level of care for advanced services while allowing the organizations to work together to continue improving the quality, safety and cost effectiveness of care in the South Sound.
“This collaboration will support UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of the public by providing seamless access to the world-class clinical services UW Medicine is known for,” said Paul Ramsey, M.D., CEO of UW Medicine. “Such collaborations are vital in the process of achieving healthcare reform’s Triple Aim – improving healthcare for individuals, improving health for populations, and reducing the per-capita costs of healthcare. And, while the agreement does not involve a change in ownership or governance of UW Medicine or Capital Medical Center, it is a very important step forward for both of us.”
“Patient choice is the most important aspect of this association,” said Johnese Spisso, UW Medicine chief health system officer. “We believe it will enhance and expand patient choice and provide enhanced access to complex care and services provided by UW Medicine whenever needed.”
“Capital Medical Center has grown significantly over the last few years, adding a new neurosurgery program, diagnostic imaging center, and a wound care center with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as well as other services and physicians – all to better serve the needs of our community,” said Jim Geist, CEO of Capital Medical Center. “In fact, since 2005 approximately $30 million has been invested in growing our facilities and services. This partnership is the next logical step in our journey. Collaborating with UW Medicine will help enhance our ability to achieve our goal of ensuring that our patients have access to the highest quality of care.”
“This strategic partnership with UW Medicine is an important step for both Capital Medical Center and for the South Sound region,” said Michael Wiechart, President and CEO of Capella Healthcare, of which CMC is a part. “This partnership marries a top academic medical center that has very strong primary care resources with a best-in-class community hospital. This community demands and deserves the very best. And that’s what this is all about. As physicians, leaders and caregivers from these leading organizations work together, residents throughout the South Sound region will be the direct beneficiaries.”
Wiechart continued, “To thrive in the future, hospitals will have to have the right partners. This unique collaborative partnership will become a case study for how an outstanding community hospital can provide world-class care without compromising the unique attributes for which it is most appreciated – compassionate personal care, delivered close to where people live and work.”
The agreement goes into effect on April 1, 2014.
About UW Medicine
UW Medicineʼs mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing patient care, and training the next generation of health professionals. Based in Seattle, Washington, our system includes Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Valley Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Neighborhood Clinics, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine and Airlift Northwest. Visit http://uwmedicine.org for details. Twitter: @UWMedicineNews
About Capital Medical Center
Capital Medical Center is a 110-bed full service hospital providing a comprehensive range of medical services and high quality care to Thurston County and surrounding communities in an affordable and easily accessible manner. Part of the Capella Healthcare family of hospitals, Capital Medical strives to be a forward thinking, innovative hospital where trust, teamwork, and technology come together to make a positive difference in the health of the community and region. For more information, go online to www.capitalmedical.com.
About Capella Healthcare
Capella Healthcare partners with communities to build strong local healthcare systems that are known for quality patient care. Based in Franklin, Tenn., Capella owns and/or operates 13 acute care and specialty hospital facilities in six states. With the philosophy that all healthcare is local, Capella collaborates with each hospital’s medical staff, board and community leadership to take care to the next level. The company has access to significant leadership and financial resources, investing in its family of hospitals to strengthen and expand services and facilities. The company was recognized in 2012 and 2013 by Modern Healthcare as one of the nation’s fastest growing health care companies. For more information, visit the website, www.CapellaHealthcare.com. Twitter: @CapellaHealth
