Special Report

More patients turn to online physician ratings to find docs

Data can be insufficient, patients says; some sites favor MDs who pay in

December 1, 2011

Angie's List can help you locate a reputable handyman. Yelp can push you in the direction of the perfect restaurant for your anniversary dinner. Amazon's consumer reviews can even help you choose the TV that will fit in the corner of your den. So a

$10 million in health sciences research grants planned here

First application deadline is early this month; money to be given over decade

December 1, 2011

After an extensive strategic planning process, the Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County plans to invest up to $10 million in health sciences research during the next decade. The organization has issued requests for proposals

Prolific Rockwood laboratory attains new accreditation

Clinic handles up to 1,200 electrodiagnostic screens annually, physician says

December 1, 2011

Chey Scott

stic laboratory, which performs up to 1,200 tests annually to diagnose a range of chronic and treatable health conditions, says it earlier this year became the first facility of its kind here to receive a recently developed accreditation.At the

Meridian plans $1 million Valley medical office project

Contractor bought parcel near county library branch with spec building in mind

December 1, 2011

Mike McLean

Meridian Construction Inc., of Spokane, plans to develop a 4,000-square-foot medical office building in Spokane Valley and lease it out to a yet-to-be-determined tenant or tenants, says company President Mark D'Agostino.D'Agostino says the has a

Riverpoint biomed building foundation work to begin

Graham also plans to seek bids this month for structural steel fabrication work

December 1, 2011

Treva Lind

Graham Construction & Management Inc., of Spokane, expects to start work this month on a $715,000 contract to build the footings and foundation of the Washington State University Biomedical and Health Sciences Building on the Riverpoint Askins, a a

Dirne grows to meet demand

Cd'A nonprofit to move to larger space to serve increasing patient roster

December 1, 2011

Mike McLean

Dirne Community Health Center, a Coeur d'Alene nonprofit founded to improve community access to health care in North Idaho, is responding to dramatic growth in demand for its services with plans to move to larger quarters to make room for paid and

Sacred Heart still mired in legal battle

Hospital appeal of state's denial to add 152 beds set for Feb. 3 court date

December 1, 2011

Treva Lind

As Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital undergoes a big emergency department expansion this fall, its three-year-old effort to add more adult acute-care beds remains mired in legal proceedings. A hearing is scheduled for

Seattle medical IT company to enter Inland Northwest

Clarity contracts with six rural hospitals, is close with Rockwood

December 1, 2011

Linn Parish

Clarity Health Services Inc., a Seattle-based health-care information technology company that helps physicians and hospitals track patient referrals and related information, will enter the Eastern Washington market early next year.Peter Gelpi, a

Planning ahead can increase sale value of a small business

Owners who look to sell must think of who might acquire it, deal structure

July 28, 2011

Ed Kirk

A Pew Research survey conducted last summer found that 60 percent of employed adults ages 51 to 60 may delay their retirement due to the recession, and that 35 percent of those 62 and older already have pushed back their retirement date.Business

Banks, holding companies increase annuity-fee income

Report says money earned in first quarter hit highest point since early in 2007

July 28, 2011

Income earned from the sale of annuities at bank holding companies rose 28 percent to $748.2 million in the 2011 first quarter, up from $582.6 million in the year-earlier quarter, says a recently released bank annuity fee income report. That's