Special Report

Confidence rises among goods makers in new survey

Optimism hits highest point since late 2012, poll shows

May 22, 2014

Manufacturers are showing the highest level of business optimism since late 2012, according to the latest National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)/IndustryWeekÂ Survey of Manufacturers issued earlier this spring. The survey found that 86 percent of

Entering new dimension

Emerging 3-D printers useful in wide array of applications

May 22, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Once perceived as grist for sci-fi aficionados in a distant future, 3-D printing is turning up in unexpected places, in vastly different industries, and with surprising applications from the manufacture of prototypes, to the creation of synthetic body par

Kreidler looks to bolster data on medical networks

OIC passes rule designed to benefit health plan users

May 8, 2014

Staff Report

A new rule meant to give consumers more information about health insurers' provider networks has been published by Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. The new regulation applies to all state-regulated health plans offered both ins

Holy Family's updated baby center ready to deliver

Expanded LDRP facility garners positive feedback

May 8, 2014

Kim Crompton

Providence Holy Family Hospital's newly remodeled and expanded Family Maternity Center is drawing positive feedback from patients and staff, and is well positioned to handle anticipated growth in demand for its 'LDRPâ€ model, which enables women to e

Illegal tobacco sales high in state for second year

Report says 15 percent of retailers sold to minors

May 8, 2014

Staff Report

The number of retailers in Washington illegally selling tobacco to minors is high for the second year in a row. An annual report that tracks illegal sales shows about 15 percent of tobacco retailers sold tobacco to minors in 2013, which is about the same

SFD converts to digital patient records system

City says it expects switch to result in improved care

May 8, 2014

Staff Report

In a step that the city of Spokane believes will make Spokane safer, the Spokane Fire Department has switched a digital patient records system. The Patient Care Reporting (ePCR) system, it says, allows for electronic collection of patient information a

North Idaho rehabilitation hospital uses 24/7 approach

Joint venture facility has seen about 125 patients

May 8, 2014

Katie Ross

Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest, a freestanding, acute-rehabilitation facility in Post Falls, is offering Kootenai County's only inpatient treatment for rehabilitating patients, something it says residents previously had to travel longer for.

Inland Imaging adds low radiation CT machines

Scanners said to offer safer test, maintain image quality

May 8, 2014

Katie Ross

Inland Imaging LLC, the Spokane-based provider of medical imaging services, has purchased and installed three new low-radiation computed tomography (CT) machines, says Angela Steinbach, manager of CT services for the company. It installed the first ma

Treating eating disorders in Spokane

Ownership transfer of North Idaho facilities to take two years

May 8, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Echo Springs Transition Study Center, which operates transition living facilities in Coeur d'Alene and Bonners Ferry for students who are having trouble with college or are struggling with other life problems, has new owners as of the end of March. D

Kootenai recognized for trauma treatment

Designation raises status for treating critical injuries

May 8, 2014

Mike McLean

Kootenai Health, the Coeur d'Alene-based health-care system that operates the largest hospital in North Idaho, recently was designated a Level III trauma center, meaning it's recognized as highly qualified to treat patients with critical single-system