HospiTell - Backus Hospital

STOPPING SEPSIS
JOAQUIN LOOMS
New tracking, reporting standards
have begun this week / 7
Be prepared if the menacing
storm comes knocking / 9
HospiTell
The William W. Backus Hospital
VOL. 44, NO. 40
Windham Community Memorial Hospital
backushospital.org • windhamhospital.org
OCTOBER 2, 2015
Addressing addiction
HHC forum looks
at ways to reach out
to substance abuse victims
Overdose Epidemic Forum panelist Bill Muskett, NREMT-P, RRT, Manager, Windham Hospital
EMS Program, right, discusses how he has seen firsthand the impact of drugs on families
in the community. At left is panelist Vicki Barbero, M.Ed., LADC, Director of Outpatient
Services, Perception Programs, Inc.
A weekly newsletter for East Region employees, volunteers, patients and friends.
STORY,
PAGE 5
HOSPITELL
2
October 2, 2015
Gift Shop
BACKUS
Items of the Week
UCONN FOOTBALL
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT OFFER
FOR HARTFORD HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES, MEDICAL STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
New dress shirts
Cotton/linen blend.
Four colors, four sizes..
$46.99
THREE DAYS TO SAVE!
Spend your weekends with UConn Football this fall by taking
advantage of our Hartford HealthCare Discount Days!
WINDHAM
NAVY
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AV
AVY
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USF
SATURDAY,
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ATURD
TURDA
AY, SEP
SEPT.
T. 26
$
20
Trick or Treat!
Halloween Woof & Poof dolls
on sale now at the Auxiliary to
Windham Hospital Gift Shop.
BACKUS GIFT SHOP HOURS:
MON. - WED. / 9:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.,
THURS. - FRI. / 9:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.,
SAT. / 9:30 A.M. – 4 P.M., SUN. / 1 – 4 P.M.
WINDHAM GIFT SHOP HOURS:
MON. - FRI. / 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
$
SSAVE
AVE $15
20
SAVE
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EAST
EA
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CAROLINA
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FRIDAY,
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FRID
AY, OCT.
OCT. 30
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$
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HOW
W TO
TO ORDER
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VISIT UC
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ENTER PROMO C
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For additional information,
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ontact the UC
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onn T
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icket Offic
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(M-F, 9am-4:30pm).
877-AT-UCONN
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Upcoming Auxiliary
vendor sales
About HospiTell
HospiTell is published each Friday by
the Communications Departments of
The William W. Backus Hospital and
Windham Hospital. Employees, medical staff and volunteers can have HospiTell e-mailed to their homes by
sending a request to
[email protected]
To submit news:
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 860-892-6964
Deadline: Wednesdays at noon
Homecoming
Hom
Ho
meco
comi
min
mi
ng
SATURDAY,
S
ATURD
TURDA
AY, OCT
OCT.. 17
Backus: HCI will be the featured
dealer for the next Backus Auxiliary vendor sale Friday, Oct. 9, from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. in the MOB/cafeteria alcove. Items include $7 scarves, accessories and more.
Windham:
Bag Ali will be the featured dealer for the next Auxiliary
to Windham vendor sale Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in
the atrium.
All sales by each auxiliary benefit the host hospital!
HOSPITELL
October 2, 2015
3
Keeping our focus on patients
Dear Colleagues,
While the governor continues to
slash funding to hospitals and our
local legislators scratch their heads
in disbelief, I can’t begin to tell you
how proud we are of our East Region
team for staying focused on patient
care and our communities.
This focus comes
every day and in many
forms — from the boiler
room to the bedside, in
a health center or soup
kitchen, from the waiting room to the operating room and
increasingly outside the
walls of our hospitals.
This week, I have two
examples of exemplary
teamwork in the East
Region — the Overdose Epidemic
panel discussion on Sept. 29 at Eastern Connecticut State University in
Willimantic (page 5) and the Heart
Walk on Sept. 27 (below) at Rocky
Neck in Niantic.
Neither of these venues are typical
for healthcare workers, but both
health issues (cardiology and mental
health/substance abuse) rank highly
in our recent Community Health
Needs Assessment.
There are also other similarities
and themes I would like to highlight
— both events required collaboration
among various East Region organizations, both involved clinical and non
clinical staff and both are
parts of larger strategic initiatives.
At the Heart Walk,
Backus and Windham hospital staff members once
again demonstrated their
commitment to the community by walking side by
side to raise funds and
awareness about heart disease, which is the nation’s
No. 1 killer and a strategic
focus for our organizations.
The East Region team
raised more money than last year
and ranked third in all of Eastern
Connecticut for funds raised, behind
only Electric Boat and Mohegan Sun.
Our team members also served as
role models for the community as
they walked to the finish line, showing the benefits of exercise.
At the Overdose Epidemic forum, a
lively panel discussion before an au-
Dave’s
Desk
Backus Cancer
Survivors Day
postponed
Due to bad weather predicted by
the National Weather Service, Backus
Hospital has postponed its Cancer
Survivors Day celebration scheduled
for Saturday, Oct. 3. A rain date has
not yet been determined.
The decision was made for safety
reasons. Hundreds of cancer survivors and their families were expected to attend the outdoor event.
Walking tall
dience of about 80 people received
statewide media coverage and highlighted how a system like Hartford
HealthCare (HHC) can be of enormous benefit to the community it
serves. The panel, which included
Windham, Natchaug and Rushford
experts, as well as other community
partners, is part of an overall effort to
address the rising number of people
in Eastern Connecticut abusing substances such as heroin, prescription
drugs, alcohol and K2, also known as
synthetic marijuana.
Why do I bring up these two
events? The point is that no matter
what challenges or changes we
might face in healthcare, community
need is not going away. I am very fortunate to have a team that realizes
this, and that is able to strategically
focus no matter which way the headwinds might be blowing. Now, if only
Connecticut politicians could do the
same…
That’s all for now,
Dave
n To watch a video
of the event, visit
backushospital.org.
The Backus and Windham Hospital Heart Walk teams pose at the start
of the 2015 Rocky Neck Heart Walk Sunday, Sept. 27. Company leader
Shawn Mawhiney thanked all captains, walkers and donors for raising
more than $7,000, the third most of any team in Eastern Connecticut.
HOSPITELL
4
Dates set for
East Region
flu shot clinics
The next flu season is on the way.
As part of the influenza prevention
program, all employees, volunteers
and medical staff are required to receive a flu shot unless granted a religious or medical exemption. Those
individuals who apply for and receive
medical or religious exemptions will
wear surgical masks during flu season when they are in areas where
they may encounter patients.
Those applying for medical or religious exemptions must have done so
by Oct. 1. Individuals with existing religious and medical exemptions do
not need to reapply. As a reminder, egg
allergy is no longer a basis for medical
exemption because of the availability
of “cell-based” vaccine, which is produced without the use of hens’ eggs.
All non-exempted staff members
must be vaccinated by Nov. 3.
To learn more about how to comply
with the universal vaccination pro-
October 2, 2015
Backus flu clinic dates, times
Monday, Oct. 12
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Friday, Oct. 16
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Thursday, Oct.22
Monday, Oct. 26
Friday, Oct. 30
6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
noon - 3 p.m.
1 - 5 p.m.
1 - 4 p.m.
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
6 a.m. - noon
noon - 4 p.m.
8 a.m. - noon
main lobby conference rooms 1, 2
Backus Outpatient Care Center
main lobby conference rooms 3
Plainfield Backus ED
HHC East System Support Office
main lobby conference rooms 3
main lobby conference rooms 1
main lobby conference rooms 1
MOBILE CART VACCINATIONS (for off-shift personnel)
Thursday, Oct. 1
10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8
10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13
4 - 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
4 - 8 a.m.
Windham flu clinic dates, times
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Thursday, Oct. 15
Monday, Oct. 19
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Tuesday, Oct. 27
noon - 4 p.m.
6 - 10 a.m.
3 - 7 p.m.
7 - 11 a.m.
noon - 4 p.m.
Griswold Room
Griswold Room
Griswold Room
Johnson Room
Griswold Room
v v v Influenza vaccination deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 3. v v v
gram, download the "Hartford HealthCare Influenza Prevention Program
2015-16” document, which is available, along with a set of FAQs, a calen-
Fighting cancer on campus
Backus Hospital partnered with Norwich Free Academy to promote breast
cancer awareness and education. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, hospital outreach
staff were at the school during lunch, handing out material on cancer.
dar of upcoming flu vaccination clinics as well as exemption forms and
instructions. Download them at
www.hartfordhealthcare.org/flu.
National PA Week
is Oct. 6-12
Oct. 6–12 is National Physician
Assistants Week — a week to celebrate the more than 100,000 certified PAs
and
their
contributions
to the
nation’s
health.
Because of PAs, the healthcare system is stronger and more patients
get access to high-quality, cost-effective care. We salute you all.
October 2, 2015
HOSPITELL
5
Turning the tide against overdoses
HHC forum addresses breaking down barriers with substance abuse victims
Addiction is a growing health issue
that is impacting a wider cross section of people in eastern Connecticut,
but the problem is solvable with the
right mix of collaboration, evidencebased treatment and coordinated
care, a panel of experts said at Eastern
Connecticut State University on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
“The large homes with the fancy
cars, they have drug problems too,”
said Bill Muskett, Windham Hospital
Emergency Medical Services Manager
and a long-time paramedic. “Every
town has different issues, different
drugs, but it’s ultimately the same
problem.”
Muskett was one of five panelists
who participated in the Overdose Epidemic forum, hosted by Hartford
HealthCare (HHC), Windham Hospital
and the HHC Behavioral Health Network. They discussed the science of
addiction, their firsthand experiences,
and how they can work together to
deal with K2, heroin and prescription
drug abuse in the
Windham region.
Willimantic became the focus of
state-wide media
attention this year after a rash of
overdoses was credited to K2, otherwise known as synthetic marijuana.
But despite perception, the issue of
substance abuse is not contained to
Willimantic, said HHC Behavioral
Health Network Vice President of Operations James O’Dea, PhD, MBA, who
moderated the event.
“There are 169 towns and villages in
Connecticut, and every community
has people who are dealing with
these issues,” O’Dea said.
“This disease does not discriminate,” said Leah Russack-Baker, Ed.D,
LADC, Director at Natchaug Hospital’s
Quinebaug Program.
COVER
STORY
Forum panelists Samuel Silverman, MD, Medical Director of Addiction
Services, Rushford; can be seen in a video camera LCD screen during a
community forum at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic
— The Overdose Epidemic — about K2, heroin and prescription drug use.
n To watch a video
of the event, visit
www.natchaug.org.
A major barrier to addressing the
issue of substance abuse is the stigma
around addiction, said Rebecca Allen,
MPH, of the Connecticut Community
for Addiction Recovery.
“So many think it’s a moral failing,”
Allen said, who has been in recovery
from heroin since 1998.
Samuel Silverman, MD, Medical Director of Addiction Services at Rushford, stressed that addiction is a
disease where the brain’s pleasure
centers get “hijacked” by substances.
“Once the brain is addicted, it’s like
a dry creek bed in the desert,” Dr. Silverman said.
Silverman added that we tend to
“dehumanize” people with addictions,
and that needs to change. He applauded Allen’s achievements, including her graduation with a Master’s
Degree while in recovery.
“Pride is the antidote to shame,” Silverman said.
A number of solutions were discussed including the widespread distribution of NarCan, which reverses
the effects of an opioid overdose;
medication-assisted treatment using
Suboxone; and clearer paths from
emergency rooms to treatment programs. The answer, however, is not
simple.
“If there was one solution we
would have figured it out already,”
O’Dea said.
But panelists agreed the first step is
to start the conversation –whether it’s
in your home with a child or family
member, or in a public forum like the
Overdose Epidemic, which included
Hartford HealthCare and its community partners, all of whom vowed to
work together on the substance abuse
issues that affect Eastern Connecticut.
The group is in the process of cataloguing existing resources in order to
come up with an approach to curb the
rising tide of people abusing drugs
like K2, heroin, prescription drugs and
even alcohol.
"In order for change to happen we
really do need to have uncomfortable
conversations," Russack-Baker said.
HOSPITELL
6
October 2, 2015
October East Region cancer events
FRIDAY, OCT. 9 / 10 A.M.
n Laura Beth Seder Memorial Golf Tournament, Mohegan Sun Golf Club, Baltic. Proceeds support Backus
Breast Cancer Initiative. Contact Gen Schies for more
information 860-823-6331 or genevieve.schies@
hhchealth.org.
SATURDAY, OCT. 17 / 9 A.M.
n Free Community Prostate Cancer Screening. Backus
Hospital Ambulatory Medical Center, 326 Washington
St., Norwich, off main lobby. Urologists will conduct
prostate exam and a PSA blood test. Registration required. Call 860-892-6900 to register.
SATURDAY, OCT. 17 / 11 A.M.
n Relay For Life of Greater Windham County. Eastern
Connecticut State University baseball stadium, Willimantic. To join or donate, go to relayforlife.org/windhamct and select “Join A Team” and select “Windham
Hospital Healers.” To learn more, contact Bobbie
Maschka, PT, at [email protected] or call
860-456-6797.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24 / 10 A.M.
0
n Spook-a-Thon Sponsored by Panera Bread at Dodd
Stadium, Stott Avenue, Norwich. Dress up to scare cancer! DJ entertainment, Haunted Locker Room and
Dugout, Food Court, Batting Cages, Photo Booth, Face
and Pumpkin Painting, trick or treat tables, and more!
Contact Gen Schies for more information 860-8236331 or genevieve.schies@ hhchealth.org
SUNDAY, OCT. 25
n Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk.
Rocky Neck State Park, 244 W Main St., Niantic. To walk
on the Backus team, contact Shawn Mawhiney at 860634-3383. The first 100 people to register will receive a
Backus Yowie to benefit the Backus Breast Health Initiative.
Get your Yowie on to fight cancer
Specially made Backus Breast Health Initiative Yowies will be on sale at all Backus cancer
events and at the Backus Boutique starting on Oct. 2. A Yowie is multi-functional rally wear
that can be worn as a head wrap, bandana scarf, and much more.
Proceeds will benefit the Backus Breast Health Initiative. Join in the ongoing mission to
bring awareness to the community of the importance of early detection and the advances in
treatment for breast cancer.
You can take your support one step further. Send us a photo showing a creative way you or someone you
know is wearing their Yowie and you might just end up on the Backus Facebook page. Please send photos to
[email protected]. Prizes will be given to the most creative entries.
Still truckin’ in Moosup
More than 500
tickets were sold to
the Jolly John
“Keep You
Truckin” Fund
fundraiser that
took place last Saturday at the Jolly
John Mill in
Moosup. Proceeds
from the event
help to support
Backus cancer patients and their
families.
Backus blood
drive Oct. 23
Backus will host an American
Red Cross blood
drive on Friday, Oct.
23 — from 7:30 a.m.
to 5:15 p.m. in the
main lobby conference rooms in the hospital at 326
Washington St. in Norwich.
To make an appointment,
call 860-823-6381 or visit
redcrossblood.org
HOSPITELL
October 2, 2015
7
CMS severe sepsis reporting has begun
Severe sepsis is the number one
killer of hospitalized critically ill patients in the United States, and beginning Oct. 1, each hospital’s
management of severe sepsis and sepsis shock will be a required core measure affecting its overall report card.
The good news: Hartford HealthCare’s A.I.M. (Alert, Identify, Manage)
Sepsis Collaborative — a team of
providers and staff from all five HHC
acute care hospitals — has been working for more than 18 months to create
a single systemwide approach for
identifying and managing the often
deadly condition. Because there is no
single symptom specific to sepsis, it is
often difficult to diagnose in its early
stages and survivors of sepsis have a
62 percent readmission rate costing
more than $20 billion each year. East
Region Physician Director of Performance Improvement Setu Vora, MD, is
leading the A.I.M Collaborative.
“With the new core measures for
Setu Vora, MD, Physician Director of
Performance Improvement and
Medical Director of the Backus CCU,
has been leading the A.I.M. (Alert,
Identify, Manage) Sepsis Collaborative team to help establish a single
systemwide approach for identifying and managing the often deadly
condition.
sepsis, there are more than 60 data elements required to be reported for
each patient so it’s quite a labor intensive process for the hospitals and
staff,” Vora says. “But we’ve anticipated this and started the process
early across the system to meet these
rigorous CMS (Centers for Medicare
Services) standards.”
CMS defines core measures as “tools
that help measure and track the quality of health care services provided by
eligible professionals, eligible hospitals
and critical access hospitals within
our health care system. The measures
use data associated with providers’
ability to deliver high-quality care or
relate to long term goals for quality
health care.”
Vora says early recognition is the
key in the battle against sepsis.
“Whenever there is an admission,
whenever there is a change in the
clinical status of a patient, whenever
there’s an event that requires transfer
to a different level of care, or whenever there’s a rapid response team activated, always think ‘sepsis’,” says
Vora.
National Food Service Appreciation Week begins Oct. 5
The week of Oct. 5 is National Food Service Appreciation week. We would like to acknowledge the Food & Nutrition
employees at Windham and Backus hospitals for the hard work they do all year long. Thanks to each and every one of
you for choosing Food and Nutrition in healthcare, caring for patients and serving families and hospital staff.
— John Price, Todd Osowski, Tammy Kae, Janet Shaw, and Whitney Bundy
BACKUS
Deb Archambault
Linda Arro
Heather Ashcraft
Frank Ball
Alex Bernatonis
Kim Blais-Normand
June Bohara
Giovanni Camacho
Tim Caplet
Rashid Changeux
Huan Yi Chen
Donnette Cullen
Admilson Depina
Katie Depolito
Melinda Deschamps
Crystal Devost
Melissa Duca
Adam Eaton
Lee Estrella
Luzminda Estrella
Beth Falbowski
Rachel Falbowski
Katie Field
Jennifer Fitts
Luis Fragoza
Joanne Gernhard
Naomi Grant
Marybeth Green
Shannon Haynes
Katrina Henn
Sarah Hospod
Jackie Houatchanthara
Tammy Kae
Wendy Kane
Gary Komery
Louise Labrecque
Sheila Littlefield
Carrie Lobacz
Cassie Marion
Susan McClimon
Donna McLaughlin
Juli McNally
Laura Mendes
Lauren Nichols
Adam Panek
Cindy Pasqualini
Liz Pelletier
Kit Peltier
Dawn Perry
Diane Reguin
Cathy Schneider
Steven Schroeder
Janet Shaw
Laurie Smiley
Karrie Smith
Joan Sommers
Joe Spooner
Tina Thomas
Tammy Trainor
Chris Warran
Corrine Woodruff
WINDHAM
Joan Bart
Louise Berry
Gail Charron
Jose Christian
Juan Cuevas
Justin Dubina
Karen Dziekan
Solinez Echevaria
Farzad Faghri
Lianne Gosslin
Savannah Green
Christie Harper
Thuan Hartigan
Amanda Hesselman
Barbara Hinckley
Kevin Howe
Karen Laboy
Lonnie Landry
Deborah Linton
Joann Marchand
Jasmin Modesto
Rasheda Monk
John Price
Lourdes Ramos
Faith Roberge
Stanley Rosenstein
Albert Samuels
Matthew Samuels
Kassiah Sanchez
Issiah Santiago
Debbie Scott
Rafael Torres
Arely Vargas
David Yantin
8
HOSPITELL
October 2, 2015
Garden
dedication slated
for Monday, Oct. 5
Symposium attendees included, from left, Mike Luongo, Backus Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) member; Judy Levine, Backus
PFAC member; Darlene Key, Backus PFAC member; Greg Post, East
Region Patient Experience Coordinator; Mary Horan, East Region Director of Pastoral Services; Beth Kalbach, Backus PFAC member;
Mike Cluney, Windham PFAC member; Mindy Kivlin, East Region
H3W Facilitator; and Adrianne Levine, East Region Patient Experience Coordinator.
Windham, Backus group
attends PFAC symposium
A group of Windham and Backus staff along with members of the
hospitals’ Patient Family Advisory Councils (PFAC) attended a PFAC symposium hosted by the Connecticut Hospital Association on Sept. 29 in
Wallingford.
The title of the program was "Partnering with Patients for Better
Healthcare". There were two keynote speakers as well as robust panel
and breakout sessions that provided great information about PFACs and
how to better utilize them as a resource to help and support the mission
and vision of hospitals.
As the summer turns to the cooler
months of autumn, we are reminded that
the seasons move us forward even when
we are not always ready. It is during this
transition that I invite you to join us for
the Waugh Memorial Garden dedication
ceremony at Windham Hospital to mark
the passing of friends and colleagues.
On Monday, Oct. 5, at 3:30 p.m., we will
dedicate a memorial to Dr. Carl Washburn,
who was our former resident psychiatrist.
He was a member of the Natchaug staff
from 2011 until his death in 2014.
Following this at 4:15 p.m., we will remember our colleague Jane Diaz, a nurse
of many years at Windham, who died in
the spring. She not only brought healing
through her hands as a nurse but created
beautiful pottery as well. Please join me
in bringing a bowl or cup or some token
of her craft into our garden for this dedication time.
Our garden dedications are informal
and intended to celebrate the gifts our
colleagues shared with us as members of
our hospital team. I hope you can join us.
— Rev. Mary C. Horan, MDiv,
Regional Director of Pastoral Care
HOSPITELL
October 2, 2015
9
Hurricane help from Hartford HealthCare
Be prepared...
is a great motto for the Boy Scouts, but it’s important
for everyone in a natural disaster — such as a hurricane. HHC East
Region Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management Andrew
Ellis has compiled these tips from many respected official sources.
1. Make a PLAN
Plan before you act. It will help
you prepare and assure family
members
„ Take time before the storm
hits to discuss what to do
with your family and neighbors.
„ Find a safe space. Remember:
sometimes — especially if
you live on the coast or in
manufactured housing — the
safest space may not be your
home but elsewhere in the
community, such as a shelter.
„ Talk about escape routes:
Agree on where your family
will go if you leave your home
— a friend’s house in another
town, a hotel, a shelter.
„ Make a list of important
phone numbers.
„ Make sure any children know
how and when to call 911.
„ Think about what to do with
your pets if you need to
evacuate.
„ Check your insurance coverage — flood damage is not
usually covered by homeowners’ insurance.
2. SECURE
your home
Take time before the
storm to keep your
property safe.
„ Bring in anything that can
be picked up by
wind
— Lawn furniture
— bicycles
— lawn decorations
„ Close windows,
doors and any
hurricane shutters.
„ Shut off any propane tanks
„ If the storm is
imminent, turn
refrigerators
and freezers to
coldest setting
and keep closed
as much as possible so food will
stay fresh longer
if power fails.
The William W. Backus Hospital
Windham Community Memorial Hospitalospital
3. Make a KIT
Before the storm hits, make
sure you have the supplies
you may need
„ Water — At least a 3-day
of supply; plan on 1 gallon a day per person.
„ Food — At least a 3-day
supply of food that’s
non-perishable and easy
to prepare.
— non-perishable packaged or canned foods
and juices
— foods for infants or
the elderly
— non-electric can
opener
— cooking tools
— paper plates / plastic
utensils
„ First-aid kit
„ Prescription drugs: 7-day
supply
„ Vehicle fuel tanks filled
„ Toiletries / personal
hygiene items / moisture wipes
„ Flashlights
„ Extra batteries for flashlight and radio
„ Radio — Batteryoperated or hand-crank
(NOAA weather radio, if
possible)
„ Phones — fully charged
cell phones, with chargers
„ Blankets / pillows /
sleeping bags
„ Clothing — seasonal
clothes, rain gear, sturdy
shoes
„ Cash (some small bills)
and credit cards.
„ Keys: House, car, other
„ Copies of important
documents
— insurance, medical
records, bank account
numbers, Social Security
card
— put them in a waterproof container or a
watertight re-sealable
plastic bag
„ Tools — keep a small
portable set with you
during the storm
„ Map of area — for alternate routes if roads are
closed
„ Camera for photos of
damage
„ Special items as needed:
— For infants/toddlers:
food, diapers, wipes,
toys
— For the elderly: glasses, hearing aids, assistive devices, medications
— For pets: food, carrier/
cage, collar, muzzle,
leash, medications, ID,
bowl
— For family: books,
games, recreational
items
HOSPITELL
10
Norwich GI Associates
to hold basket raffle
Norwich GI Associates will hold a basket raffle on
Thursday, Oct. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the
café alcove at Backus to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
Basket themes include Halloween Party, Holiday
Dinner, Micro-brewery and more. Stop by and take a
chance for a great cause.
Backus cardiac support
group meets next Oct. 14
Backus Café Menu
The Backus Cardiac Disease Support Group will host
its next session on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 6-7 p.m.
in the hospital’s library.
The support group is open to anyone who needs
support in managing cardiac disease. If you have any
questions, please call 860-889-8331, ext. 2128.
The group meets on second Wednesday of each
month.
October 2, 2015
EAG weekly prize winner for Oct. 2
n Jane Chandley — Neonatal Practitioner
Call Cathy Saunders at ext. 2105 to collect your prize.
News
from the
Discount movie tickets
n Discount Lisbon Landing Digiplex movie tickets are
available through Cathy Saunders in Diagnostic Imaging
or Donna McLaughlin in Food and Nutrition. The theater is
now CarMike Cinemas, and we are pleased to offer the
tickets for $7.50.
About the EAG
n The EAG is a small team of employees who plan and
coordinate fun and discounted activities for all employees. Contact the group by e-mailing Donna McLaughlin
at [email protected].
SATURDAY, Oct. 3
wing dings with sauce / chef’s choice / soup du jour / spinach / white rice
SUNDAY, Oct. 4
stuffed shells with marinara / chef’s choice / soup du jour / mixed vegetables /
garlic bread
MONDAY, Oct. 5
ENTREES: eggplant parmesan / blackened salmon / grilled ham steaks with pineapple
sauce / SOUPS: beef barley / carrot ginger / SIDES: spinach / peas and carrots /
mashed sweet potatoes / rice pilaf
TUESDAY, Oct. 6
ENTREES: grilled chicken caesar salad / bratwurst with caramelized onions on a roll /
spaghetti and meatballs / SOUPS: polish garden / corn chowder / SIDES: steamed
broccoli / bermuda blend vegetables / curly fries / garlic bread
WEDNESDAY,
Oct. 7
ENTREES: chicken fajitas / montreal pork loin with gravy / panko crusted cod /
SOUPS: chicken tortilla / tomato bisque / SIDES: fiesta corn / caribbean blend vegetables / mashed potatoes / mexican rice
THURSDAY, Oct. 8
ENTREES: teriyaki flank steak / stuffed chicken breast with gravy / baked ravioli with
tomato cream sauce / SOUPS: butternut apple / lentil and black bean / SIDES: malibu
blend vegetables / oriental blend vegetables / jasmine rice / loaded mashed potatoes
FRIDAY, Oct. 9
ENTREES: soft or hard shell beef tacos / fish and chips with coleslaw / chef’s choice /
SOUPS: seafood chowder / italian wedding / SIDES: normandy blend vegetables /
green beans / french fries / chef’s choice
DAILY FARE: A variety of hot paninis, cold wraps and pizza specials are available on a rotating basis
The Backus cafeteria is open daily from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot food is served from 6:30 - 10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and 5 - 6:30 p.m.
HOSPITELL
October 2, 2015
FREE COMMUNITY
Prostate Cancer Screening
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9am − 1pm
Prostate examinations
Backus Hospital, AMC office off main lobby
Urologists will conduct a DRE prostate
exam, and a PSA blood test will be drawn. PSA results
will be available in a week. Men who have
not seen a urologist within the past year are
eligible for this free screening.
11
Kudos for great customer service
A few days ago, I got on the elevator with Adriana from
Windham Public Safety. There was a woman in a wheelchair
and her daughter was standing behind her inside already.
Adriana noticed the patient’s shoe was untied. She pointed
this out and asked if she could tie it for her. The woman and
her daughter were both delighted and said “yes.” Adriana then
bent down and tied her shoe.
This was a great experience for our patient and a staff member who truly cares!
— Rebecca V. Putnam, Volunteer Services Manager
and Job Shadow Coordinator, Windham Hospital
Windham cardiac group meets Oct. 15
Registration required.
Call 860.892.6900.
The Windham Hospital “Healing Hearts” Cardiac Support
Group will meet on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the
Cardiac Rehabilitation Room on the first floor.
This month’s topic is “Healthy Fall and Winter Foods and
Herbs” presented by Michele Maclure, a culinary herbalist from
Thyme Traveler Herbals and Creations.
Healing Hearts meets on the third Thursday of each month.
Registration is not required. Please call Teresa LaFleur at 860456-6103 with any questions.
ENTREE: grilled chicken caprese / SOUPS: lentil and beef vegetable / soup du jour /
SIDES: mediterranean couscous / fresh green bean sauté / SANDWICH: steak rancho
wrap with onions, peppers, seasonings and rancho sauce
TUESDAY, Oct. 6
ENTREE: meat or vegetable calzones / spaghetti with marinara, meat or clam sauce /
SOUPS: cream of spinach / soup du jour / SIDES: garlic bread / peas with mushrooms
/ SANDWICH: grilled chicken caesar pita pocket
WEDNESDAY,
Oct. 7
ENTREE: coconut crusted cod / chicken and lentil stew / SOUPS: cream of broccoli cheddar / soup du jour / SIDES: garlic and cheddar mashed potatoes / steamed baby carrots
/ SANDWICH: grilled chicken cordon bleu panini with ham, swiss and dijon mayo
THURSDAY, Oct. 8
ENTREE: general tso’s chicken / egg roll / SOUPS: spicy pork and mushroom / soup du
jour / SIDES: stir fried vegetable / white rice / SANDWICH: flank steak tacos with pico
de gallo, pepper jack cheese and chipotle ranch dressing
FRIDAY, Oct. 9
ENTREE: crab cakes / SOUPS: new england clam chowder / soup du jour / SIDES:
brown rice / chef’s choice vegetables / SANDWICH: roast beef grilled panini with swiss
SATURDAY, Oct. 10
ENTREE: chicken pot pie / SOUP: chicken noodle / SIDES: green beans / chef’s choice /
SANDWICH: grilled chicken bacon ranch panini
SUNDAY, Oct. 11
ENTREE: coconut and mango crusted tilapia / SOUP: minestrone / SIDES: spanish rice
mixed vegetables / SANDWICH: BBQ burger topped with onion rings and cheddar
BREAKFAST: Served weekdays only and includes a variety of hot items including oatmeal, cream of wheat,
yogurt bar, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries and a breakfast sandwich (Selection varies by day)
Sumner Cafeteria Menu
MONDAY, Oct. 5
The Sumner Cafeteria open from 6:30 - 10:30 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; 2 - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Hot food is served from 6:30 - 9:30 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; and 5 - 6:30 p.m.
HOSPITELL
12
October 2, 2015
GENERAL STORE
General Store is a free classified ad section for the benefit of
East Region employees, retirees, medical staff and volunteers.
We welcome your submissions by the hospital Intranet, fax (860-892-6964), mail or by e-mailing [email protected].
The deadline for submissions to be included in each Friday’s HospiTell is Wednesday at noon.
HospiTell will include community events for not-for-profit organizations based in eastern Connecticut that are open to the
public and free of charge. We do not accept ads for real estate, firearms or personal ads. Please do not list hospital phone numbers or
hospital e-mail addresses for responses. You must submit your item weekly if you want it to appear more than one week.
To have HospiTell e-mailed to you, or for questions about the General Store, please call Ginny James, Backus Corporate
Communications, at 860-889-8331, ext. 4211, or e-mail her at [email protected].
FOR SALE
1999 MERCEDES — CLK320C, Convertible, good condition, 60,000 miles, asking $8,500. Call 860-439-1913.
MISC. ITEMS — Double size electric
blanket, like new, $15. Double sized
sheets, $10. Typewriter stand, $10.
Two older file cabinets, $15 each.
Lawn roller, $10. Call 860-822-8578.
WANTED
WOMEN TO PLAY ICE HOCKEY —
Connecticut College, Monday nights,
September through March. Experience preferred, beginners welcome.
Call Karen at 860-303-3484.
CRAFTERS — Craft, Hobby and Product
Show sponsored by the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Saturday, Nov. 21. Call
860-942-8283.
EVENTS
NORWICH RUSSIAN FESTIVAL — Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Orthodox Church of The Holy New
Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, 364
Canterbury Tpke., Norwich. Russian
food, silent auction, children’s games,
vendors, tag sale.
PARK CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL — Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Park
Congregational Church, 283 Broadway,
Norwich. All proceeds benefit St. Vincent de Paul Place Soup Kitchen and
Food Pantry. Community and church
tag sale, craft vendors, basket, raffle,
bake sale, children’s games, bouncy
house, free coffee, blood pressure
clinic, food available. Call 860-8873747 or email parkchurchnorwich@
netzero.com for more information.
FACES at FAHS — Saturday, Oct. 3, 9:30
a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Finnish Hall,
Route 169, Canterbury. Free admission, handicapped accessible, artists,
live music crafts, tours of the Hall, refreshments available. Call 860-9742760 or email
[email protected].
HARVEST FESTIVAL — Saturday, Oct.
3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Voluntown Baptist Church, 52 Main St., Voluntown.
Rummage sale, children’s games, harvest snacks, fritters, caramel apples,
country store, live music. For every
non-perishable food donation, children will receive tickets to play the
children’s games.
BULLY BUSTERS WALK — Saturday,
Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to noon, meet at United
Congregation Church, 87 Broadway,
Norwich. Picnic after the walk, entertainment, prizes awarded. Ages 17 and
older $10, ages 17 and under $5, free for
ages 6 and under.
GRISWOLD BARBECUE — Saturday,
Oct. 3, 4-6 p.m. at the Griswold Volunteer Fire Department, Route 138, Griswold. Tickets are $8 adult, 1/2 chicken,
potato salad, coleslaw, cranberry
sauce, roll, dessert and $4 for children,
quarter chicken and all of the above.
The fire department is willing to deliver to Backus employees for ten orders and above. Call 860-376-3246.
GRISWOLD RECREATIONAL PROGRAM — Every Tuesday and Thursday
from 6-7 p.m. Exercise class, low impact aerobics, weights, Pilates, bring
mats and weights, open to surrounding towns. Call for more information
860-376-4741.
WOMEN’S CITY CLUB OF NORWICH
— Wednesday, Oct. 7, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
trip to New York City. Bus pick up at
Norwich Holiday Inn commuter parking lot, tickets $45. Proceeds benefit
the scholarship fund. Call 860-6081596 for tickets and more details.
GRISWOLD BICENTENNIAL HEALTH
FAIR — Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to
noon at Griswold Middle School, 267
Slater Ave., Griswold. Activities include
Backus Hospital Health Van, Bone
Density screening, Brown Bag Medication Review, Farmer’s Market, Blood
Pressure Measurements, United Community & Family Services, American
Ambulance, Portion Distortion Food
Review, Medication Disposal and
more, all ages welcome.
CRAFTS FOR CHRISTMAS — Saturday,
Oct. 10, Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at Saint James Parish, 95 Route 2A, Preston. Crafts, silent auction, lunch,
baked goods, vendors.
KRIPALU YOGA — Tuesday/Thursday,
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Norwich
Recreation, 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich. Session I: Oct. 13, 15, 20, 22, 27,
29 and Nov. 3, 5, 10, 12. All levels welcome, bring mat, water bottle, yoga
postures, flexibility, calmness,
strength, renewed energy, instructor:
Cheryl Hughes. Norwich residents:
$50, five day pass or $85, ten day pass,
non-resident: $60, five day pass or $95,
ten day pass, drop-in: resident $12 or
non-resident $15. Call 860-823-3791.
FALL BOOK SALE — Friday, Oct. 16
and Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 3
p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, 12 noon to 3
p.m. at Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich. Great variety of gently used fiction and non-fiction books, CDs, and
DVDs. Sponsored by the Friends of
Otis Library.
drawings, free parking, pavilion, picnic
tables, bathrooms and water for the
horses. Email Loree at
[email protected] for a flyer,
registration form or questions.
FLEA MARKET & HARVEST FESTIVAL
— Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
Divine Providence Church,
Silver/Golden St., Norwich. Vendors,
Country Kitchen, Sweet Shoppe, Treasure booth, Polish luncheon, Pierogi,
Golabki, kielbasa, potato pancakes,
soups, sandwiches, crepes. Vendors
wanted, call 860-887-8781.
SPOOK-A-THON — Saturday, Oct. 24,
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dodd Stadium,
Norwich. Dress up to scare cancer,
funds benefit local families served by
the Backus Hospital Cancer Center
through the Connecticut Sports Foundation. Costume prizes, haunted
locker, face painting, photo booth, balloon artist, bouncy house, lunch vendors and more. $5 donation per
person at the gate. View
www.SpookathonCT.org.
ATTENTION HORSE RIDERS —
Shetucket River Pleasure Trail Ride and
the Friends of Shetucket River Valley
are assisting the Town of Sprague in
purchasing and conserving open land
to be added to the Sprague Land Preserve for recreational use. Ride the
trails on Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m., rain
date is Saturday, Oct. 24. Pre-entry is
$25, event day is $30. Lunch served between 12-2 p.m. for $10. Raffle prizes,
THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S WORKFORCE & COMMUNITY
EDUCATION — Offers Allied Health
training in CNA, EMT, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Billing, Coding, Veterinary Assistant, Computer Soft Skills
and more. Visit our website for all \fall
2015 courses www.trcc.commnet.
edu/Div_WorkforceEducation/Courses.
shtml or call us at 860-215-9028 for a
program brochure.
Chamber meeting offers
glimpse at Windham’s future
Cary Trantalis, East Region Vice President, Clinical Services and Operations, gave a presentation about the future of Windham
Hospital during the Windham Region
Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Economic Development and Infrastructure
Summit at the Windham Golf Club in
North Windham on Sept. 30.
Trantalis highlighted the hospital’s
Cornerstone Services Plan, which inTrantalis
cludes a continued commitment to
services including 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care,
cardiology, oncology, a progressive care unit, inpatient and
outpatient surgical services, women’s health services, diagnostic imaging, and community benefit programs.