Kootenai Medical Center honored for nursing care
After a rigorous two-year evaluation, Kootenai Medical Center has been named a Magnet hospital for nursing care, a designation held by fewer than 3 percent of hospitals nationwide.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center granted the hospital its highest honor this month, making KMC the first in the Inland Northwest to achieve the status, hospital spokeswoman Karen Pearl said.
KMC joins St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Boise as the second Magnet hospital in Idaho. The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle also holds the designation.
The award certifies the skill and contentment of KMC’s nursing staff, which includes 422 registered nurses and 16 licensed practical nurses, said Marian Wilson, a KMC registered nurse who helped write the application to the ANCC.
“You’re saying that your hospital is committed to a pro-nursing environment,” Wilson said.
About 200 hospitals nationwide have been awarded Magnet status.
Hospitals choose to apply for the designation, which requires surveys, site visits and extensive documentation, said Carmen Brochu, KMC’s vice president of patient care services.
“I wanted the nurses to be recognized,” she said.
– JoNel Aleccia
Boise
Infrastructure districts bill fails in House vote
The Idaho House narrowly rejected a bill Tuesday to allow the formation of public infrastructure improvement districts, which backers touted as a way to make growth pay for itself. Opponents said the measure would allow developers to impose property taxes.
HB 485 failed on a 30-39 vote. It would have allowed development costs for public infrastructure to be paid for by future property taxes from the new residents who benefit.
Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, was among those against the bill. “This is a tool to shift the cost of development from the developer to the property-tax payer,” Moyle told the House. “Is that wise?”
Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, was among those in favor. “All of the landowners in the district have to agree in writing to this financial mechanism used to finance it,” he said. “It’s a voluntary tax, and no one pays without agreeing in advance.”
Opponents said in future years, residents of the districts would resent the additional taxes.
– Betsy Z. Russell
Hayden woman found safe in Alaska
Kootenai County authorities have called off the search for a Hayden woman who was feared missing.
Officials in Fairbanks, Alaska, found 46-year-old Judith Walker in good health at a motel Monday.
The woman, originally from Alaska, moved to North Idaho six months ago. A neighbor told police they hadn’t seen her at her Hayden home since Feb. 17. Her car was also missing.
– Taryn Brodwater