Update: Added a few pictures from the visit. Not every day the Speaker of the House is in the house. The dignitaries toured Swedish’s intensive care unit facility and learned about the hospitals success at reducing ‘ventilator associated pneumonia.’ According to medical studies, this type of pneumonia occurs in about 25% of patients who require ventilation. Swedish says because of their practices and technology they have not had an incident at their facility in 21 months.

Original Post: Fresh off Saturday night’s vote to pass a bill overhauling the nation’s health care industry, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will be on Broadway this afternoon to tour Swedish Medical Center and continue to drum up support for the legislation as it moves on to the Senate. It’s more First Hill than Capitol Hill but in the neighborhood for any of you wonk types who want to come out and get Pelosi to sign your copy of HR 3962.

WHO:

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Congressman Jim McDermott

Congressman Jay Inslee

Congressman Norm Dicks

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Cal Knight, President, Swedish Medical Center

Dr. Martin Siegel, Chair of the Swedish Board of Trustees

Hospital Administrators

WHAT:

·       Speaker Pelosi and Members of Congress will be talking with hospital officials about how the groundbreaking health insurance reform legislation passed on Saturday by the US House of Representatives helps Seattle.

·       The Speaker and other Members of Congress will briefly tour Swedish Medical Center’s facilities, including their Intensive Care Unit. Swedish Staff will be on the floor to describe the program to reduce ventilator associated pneumonia, a significant cause of mortality nationally.  Photo/  B- roll opportunity at start of tour.

·       Press Conference will immediately follow the tour.

WHEN:

Monday, November  9, 2pm

Pre-set at 1:30 pm

WHERE:

Glaser Foyer, Swedish Medical Center, 747 Broadway, Seattle