Wentworth-Douglass grant provides $50K for community transportation
DOVER – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has awarded a $10,000 community benefit grant to the Alliance for Community Transportation (ACT), a group that coordinates and provides community transportation, largely for seniors and adults with disabilities, in Southeastern New Hampshire. The grant will allow the organization to access an additional $40,000 in federal funds.
“Our team here at Wentworth-Douglass knows firsthand from our patient population how important it is to remove barriers to transportation, and with the ability to acquire additional federal dollars, there is no doubt this program will have a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of our neighbors,” said Michelle Hanson, director of strategic planning and community benefit at Wentworth-Douglass.
ACT’s lead agency and fiscal sponsor is the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST), but its work is primarily funded by Federal Transit Administration funds that are passed through the NH Department of Transportation. ACT must provide non-USDOT funding to leverage the $40,000 in federal money.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Wentworth-Douglass for stepping up and funding this important community initiative,” said Jeff Donald, regional mobility manager for ACT and TripLink, a regional transportation call center. “Particularly as we emerge from the pandemic, this $50,000 will allow to ACT to respond to necessary service fluctuations or staffing changes in real time,” he said.
TripLink has operated continuously throughout the pandemic, ensuring that the region’s most vulnerable residents continue to have access to medical care, grocery shopping, and other transportation needs. In November 2021, ACT re-launched its website, re-branding it to focus primarily on TripLink and on reaching those in need of transportation and their caregivers. The organization says the new site will allow older adults and adults with disabilities to register for most of the region’s nonprofit transportation options at one time. One of ACT’s goals is to return ridership to pre-pandemic levels, which would equal 40,000 annual trips scheduled through TripLink.
“These programs are extremely important because the senior population has a higher dependence on community transportation. There’s an increasing need for transportation options that allow seniors to receive regular medical care and “age in place”. Aging in place not only allows seniors the ability to continue to participate in their communities, but it’s also more cost-effective for tax-payers than institutional housing,” said Donald.
The funds donated are approved by the hospital’s Community Benefit Funding Disbursement Committee and are not raised through any public or private donations.
HCA New Hampshire Hospitals earn top grade from National Group for Patient Safety
ROCHESTER, DERRY, AND PORTSMOUTH – Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital each were awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade released today, the top score in a national distinction recognizing the hospital system’s achievements protecting patients from harm and providing safe healthcare. Leapfrog assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to general hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections, and other harm to patients in their care.
Of the more than 2,600 hospitals graded nationwide, only 33 percent earned an “A” grade for meeting some of the industry’s highest standards.
“We are proud of our medical staff and support teams at Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital for their unwavering commitment to our patients,” said Beth York, vice president of quality at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “Independent reviews of our patient safety practices at all three hospitals help us evaluate our patient care against the best hospitals in the nation. Earning straight A’s at our hospitals is especially meaningful for our colleagues who are dedicated to providing high quality patient experiences, and to the communities we serve who count on our hospitals to provide the best possible care.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“As our healthcare system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of HCA New Hampshire hospitals for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire healthcare workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.”
To see full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.
Elliot Health System, Catholic Medical Center, Community College System of NH, and ApprenticeshipNH Collaborate to create healthcare career pathways
MANCHESTER — ApprenticeshipNH, the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), Catholic Medical Center and Elliot Health System announce a new and innovative collaboration to transform the region’s healthcare workforce.
The organizations, along with Manchester Community College and Network4Health, are launching a broad registered apprenticeship program to cultivate talent in nursing, tech, and support roles at The Elliot and CMC. This “earn while you learn” approach allows individuals to hold a paid position while engaging in classroom learning and on-the-job training.
“I can’t recall a point in my career when it has been this challenging to fill these positions,” says Karen Schoch, Director of Organizational Development at Catholic Medical Center. “A program like this not only helps us place people in critically important positions, it also removes barriers for people who want to pursue a healthcare career. We look forward to growing this program with other healthcare partners to serve needs across the state.”
“We are pleased to help future and current employees support themselves and their families while they transition into new healthcare roles,” says Becky Marden, Director of Workforce Development and Experience at Elliot Health System. “This collaboration will open up new pathways to start a healthcare career, and also opportunities for advancement and growth.”
To kick off this partnership, the organizations will hold a Healthcare Career Fair on the campus of Manchester Community College on Thursday May 19, from 1 to 6 p.m. Anyone interested in entering the healthcare workforce through a paid registered apprenticeship program is encouraged to attend. Employment applications and screening interviews will be conducted on-site; interested individuals should come prepared for a job interview. The event will focus on three roles—medical assistant, patient service representative and licensed nursing assistant. Other roles may also be available for application. Current healthcare employees looking to train in a new role are also welcome. Resources will be available to support first time students or those re-entering the classroom.
“This new apprenticeship program builds on the workforce connections that MCC has established with these key healthcare organizations in our community,” says Brian Bicknell, President of Manchester Community College. “We look forward to hosting the May 19 Healthcare Career Fair and welcoming applicants and new students to campus.”
Southern Maine Health Care nationally recognized with an ‘A’ for safety
BIDDEFORD, Maine – Southern Maine Health Care (SMHC) received an “A” grade in the spring 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.
“Achieving and then maintaining an ‘A’ is an exceptional achievement, especially during a time that has brought unique challenges,” said SMHC President Nate Howell. “Our care team members continue to meet each day with excellence, positivity, and teamwork. And this remarkable award is a direct reflection of their daily efforts to make our patients and quality of our care a top priority.”
The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
Leapfrog’s hospital ratings program is based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, and grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
Visit hospitalsafetygrade.org to learn more about Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.
Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center recognized nationally with an ‘A’ hospital safety grade
LEBANON –Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), the flagship academic medical center of Dartmouth Health, received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes DHMC’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.
“The delivery of safe and consistently high quality care does not just happen. It takes a deep commitment and keen focus by our staff for every minute of every day,” said Susan A. Reeves, EdD, RN, executive vice president of DHMC. “We are heartened by the Leapfrog organization’s recognition of our staff’s efforts to deliver excellent care, and we remain steadfast in our goal to be sure that our patients and families receive the best care possible when they come to us.”
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
“Dartmouth Health is committed to achieving the highest quality standards on behalf of our patients and our communities,” said Carol L. Barsky, MD, MBA, chief quality and value officer for Dartmouth Health. “The Leapfrog ‘A’ recognizes the work of our entire healthcare team, at the bedside, making patient safety our highest priority.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Our participation in the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade highlights our commitment to a culture of safety,” said Michael S. Calderwood, MD MPH, chief quality officer for DHMC. “Our learning culture relies on the conclusions that we draw from our quality and safety data, our ability to learn from best practice around the country, and our willingness to implement changes aimed at continuously improving the care that we deliver. Our ‘A’ safety grade recognizes the incredible work that is done every day by our teams delivering high quality, innovative care.”
To see DHMC’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
New medication for treatment-resistant depression now available at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
LEBANON – Living with depression is challenging, and when standard treatments don’t provide relief, it makes the situation even more difficult. Thankfully, there are an increasing number of treatments available to patients with treatment-resistant depression. The Mood Disorders Consultation Clinic at Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), a program of Interventional Psychiatry, is now able to offer esketamine nasal spray, also known by its brand name Spravato, to patients with treatment-resistant depression. This is in addition to other cutting-edge and effective treatments for depression, including transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Esketamine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) or depressive symptoms in MDD associated with suicidal thoughts or actions. It is taken in addition to an oral antidepressant medication and may be helpful to patients who have tried multiple, conventional antidepressants and are still depressed. Esketamine may work faster at reducing depression symptoms than conventional antidepressants. Patients are initially given two treatments a week for four weeks, followed by a tapering period if the first month is successful of one treatment a week for four weeks and a maintenance period of one treatment every week or every other week.
“The prospect of making this treatment available to our treatment-resistant patients is very exciting,” said David R. Eiler, MD, a psychiatrist at DHMC and member of the Mood Disorders Consultation Clinic team. “Depression is a serious disease and presents differently in different people. Like any other disease, no one treatment fits all. Adding esketamine nasal spray to our available treatment options will improve patients’ quality of life, and potentially save lives.”
To learn more about esketamine nasal spray and how to contact the Mood Disorders Consultation Clinic, visit www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/psychiatry/esketamine-nasal-spray-treatment-resistant-depression.
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