Washington faces major lag in state inspections of hospitals

Washington state is experiencing critical delays in hospital inspections, with the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee finding that almost 75% of acute care facilities are overdue for evaluations. One notable hospital has not been inspected since early 2018, raising concerns about patient safety. The Department of Health cites staffing shortages and increased demand for inspections as contributing factors to the backlog. Before the pandemic, the state managed to inspect 81% of hospitals on time, but this dropped to just 28% by the end of 2024. Inspectors also face a growing number of uninvestigated complaints regarding patient care and safety.

The report suggests that the Legislature may need to adjust the law governing inspection frequency, as it currently lacks a maximum time limit between inspections. Although the Department of Health aims to align with the 18-month inspection requirement by 2028 or 2029, significant challenges remain. The final audit report is expected in July, following a legislative order in 2022.