GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AGENCY ALERT
Date: 06/13/2018
Department: Health
Submitted by: John Wiesman
ALERT TOPIC: The Department conducted a full state and federal Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) investigation of Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital in Marysville,
WA.
PREVIOUS ALERTS ON THIS TOPIC: No
ACTIONS IMMEDIATE:
• DOH will revisit the hospital this month to verify compliance with the Plan of
Corrections submitted by the hospital.
• After the reports have been completed and sent to Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital
the results can be accessed by the public or media through a routine request for records.
• The Medical Commission is assessing complaints of two hospital physicians and the
Nursing Commission has an active investigation of a hospital nurse. If evidence
suggests improper treatment or other problems, the commissions will act according to
standard practice for their professions.
MEDIA ATTENTION: Seattle Times inquired.
MESSAGES/TALKING POINTS:
• It’s the goal and responsibility of DOH to ensure safe medical services and to protect
patient safety in Washington.
• DOH conducted two investigations at Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital – one a state
investigation and the other a federal investigation on behalf of Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Service.
• As a result of the investigations, a Statement of Deficiencies was issued to the facility.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave the facility 90 days to correct
identified problems or face possible termination of its Medicare/Medicaid
reimbursement eligibility.
• After the investigation and reports are completed, the results can be shared publicly.
BACKGROUND/CONTEXT:
Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital was licensed in June 2017. They have 115 beds with an
average of 75 inpatients. DOH and Senators Patty Kuderer and John McCoy received a
complaint about a wide range of concerns at the hospital. Investigations led to a Statement of
Deficiencies and the hospital responded with a Plan of Corrections deemed sufficient and
acceptable by DOH and CMS authorities. DOH will revisit the hospital this month to verify the
hospital is complying with their Plan of Corrections.

Updated: June 11, 2016