Sound Physicians agrees to provide hospitalist services for Mount Vernon's Skagit Valley Hospital

Sound Physicians, a health care organization focused on improving quality and lowering cost throughout the acute episode of care, announced today an agreement to provide hospitalist services for Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA.

Skagit Valley Hospital is a 137-bed hospital specializing in surgery, cancer care, a family birth center, and advanced diagnostic, heart care and orthopedic services. The hospital expanded in 2007 and features private patient rooms, a Level III Trauma Emergency Department and the area's only cardiac catheterization labs. Skagit Valley Hospital is a member of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which brings together the talents of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the University of Washington Medicine and Seattle Children's.

"Skagit Valley Hospital shares our values of quality and innovation," said Robert Bessler, M.D, chief executive officer of Sound Physicians. "We look forward to utilizing an engaged team of physicians, regional leadership and proven workflows to provide quality care for the Mount Vernon community."

Gregg Davidson, FACHE, chief executive officer of Skagit Regional Health, said, "We chose Sound Physicians for its strong regional presence and proven track record of performance management expertise. We look forward to partnering with them and furthering our mission to be a healthcare leader in the Northwest."

Sound Physicians will recruit a team of 12 hospitalist physicians, including a chief hospitalist, as well as a hospitalist nurse focused on driving performance improvements and patient satisfaction efforts. Working with Skagit Valley Hospital, Sound Physicians will introduce its SoundConnect workflow and communication platform to drive improvement in outcomes and foster effective communication as it fulfills its vision of being the leader in improving quality and lowering the cost of care for patients in the communities it serves.

SOURCE Sound Physicians