Internal Resources

Financial:

Chair: Justin Peters (PRH) & Theresa Kwate (PM)

PRH Representatives: Shauna Patrick

Pal Med Representatives: Ashlie Walker

Scope: Current contracted services review, KPI and data reporting, accounts payable

Revenue Cycle:

Chair: Janine Maines (PRH) & Ashlie Walker (PM)

PRH Representatives: Kate Quarton, Tabia Sellers, Cara Bruner

Pal Med Representatives: Theresa Kwate, April Newlin, Anna Preston

Scope: Patient access, referrals, billing, coding, medical records, payer enrollment, payer contracts

Human Resources:

Chair: Bernadette Berney

PRH Representatives: Alana Willett, Amber Roberts, Corinne Drollette, Katie Eylar, Tanya Shull, Haley Garcia

Pal Med Representatives: Shirley Kramer, Anna Helman, Kim Nygreen

Scope: Employee transitions, NEO, policies & procedures

IT/Clinical Informatics:

Chair: Chris Jensen

PRH Representatives: Blake Brackin, Cathy Murphy

Pal Med Representatives: Shirley Kramer, Kim Nygreen, Theresa Kwate, Ashlie Walker, Dr. Fosback, Kate McCetich

Scope: Data, electronic equipment (computers, printers, scanners, credit card machines, etc.), Epic training, Epic implementation and build, last three years medical record transition

Ancillary Services (Non-Provider Clinical/Lab):

Chair: Jeannie Eylar

PRH Representatives: Austin Swopes, Andrea Howell, Michelle Reynolds

Pal Med Representatives: Kim Nygreen, Lindsay Davies, Kate McCetich

Scope: Imaging, Laboratory, Pharmacy

Communication, Marketing, Operations:

Chair: Alison Weigley

PRH Representatives: Trisha Quiring, Bryce Heuett, Karly Port, Sharlee Terhaar

Pal Med Representatives: Shirley Kramer, Anna Helman, Kim Nygreen

Scope: Marketing, communications, reputation management, advertising, digital and printed materials (patient communications, advertising, stationery, signage), daily operational policies, procedures and workflows as they relate to the Patient Experience

Regulatory Readiness/Standards Team:

Chair: Carrie Coen

PRH Representatives: Paul Nelson, Brianna Sheppard

Pal Med Representatives: Shirley Kramer, Ashlie Walker, Kim Nygreen, Theresa Kwate

Scope: Survey readiness, quality improvement, infection prevention, employee health, materials, maintenance, EVS

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the integration between Palouse Medical and Pullman Regional being managed?
1. Committees, workgroups and teams are meeting on a consistent basis to create an easy transition for clinical and non-clinical systems.
Will Palouse Medical remain where it currently is?
1. Yes.
Will Palouse Medical be changing their name?
1. No, the Marketing, Communication and Operations workgroup recommended that the name remains the same.
Will Palouse Medical be changing their logo?
1. No, the Marketing, Communication and Operations workgroup recommended that the logo remains the same.
How will finances be managed?
1. Employees are being onboarded now through October and expenses are being migrated to the hospital’s budget.
How will patient billing be integrated?
1. Patient billing will remain the same under Palouse Medical until the go-live date (Oct. 12) after which all appointments and services will be billed under Pullman Regional Hospital.
How will electronic health records (EHR) and other IT systems be integrated?
1. Patient records, dating back three years at Palouse Medical will be integrated into Epic.
What will happen to the clinic's existing staff?
1. All staff will be onboarded as Pullman Regional employees, now through October.
What training will be provided to staff to ensure a smooth transition?
1. Onboarding, new employee orientation, and Epic training plans will be developed by workgroups.
How will patient records be transferred and integrated into the hospital's system?
1. We are exploring options to transfer patient records to Epic prior to go-live on October 12.
How will patients be informed about the integration?
1. A communication to all Palouse Medical patients was sent on behalf of the Palouse Medical team in April. Subsequent communications to patients will be developed to provide expectations and what information they may need to provide, and if they should expect wait times. Patients at Palouse Medical should expect an email with information a few weeks before the integration is complete.
How will the integration affect the community served by the clinic?
1. Our goal is to minimize any disruption to patient care and services offered to the community.
How will the integration address the specific healthcare needs of the community?
1. Providing stability and partnership in solving the problem of access to primary care.
What additional services or programs might be introduced to meet community needs?
1. Ready Care has been a valuable community service and this integration provides an opportunity to support and expand those services.
How can employees provide feedback and express suggestions during the integration?
1. Contact any workgroup members or your department leader.
Are we recruiting to bring more physicians and providers?
1. Yes, we are looking to hire physicians and providers to help serve the primary care need in the area.

Project Updates For Employees

Patient Care Expansion Project

Project Timeline Overview:

Latest Update:

Patient Care Expansion Bi-Weekly Updates

Media

FEB 2025 - Draft of Updated Schematic Designs

Palouse Medical Integration

Get Connected. Sign up for e-newsletters for your health