THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! Your dedication is a vital part of the patient experience / 5 HospiTell The William W. Backus Hospital VOL. 44, NO. 16 Windham Community Memorial Hospital APRIL 17, 2015 backushospital.org • windhamhospital.org Teaming up with technology Backus unveils latest in da Vinci surgical methods STORY, PAGE 5 Above, Backus Physician Assistant Rachel Massey adjusts one of the devices used with the new da Vinci Xi robot while Mark Tousignant, MD, operates the surgical system from the remote station, top. The da Vinci Xi is the very latest in robotic surgical technology which is designed to be more precise, less invasive and allow for quicker recovery time. It was used by Dr. Tousignant here for the first time for a gastric bypass procedure. A weekly newsletter for East Region employees, volunteers, patients and friends. HOSPITELL 2 Front row, left to right: Cheryl Smith, Carmen Aponte, Irma Velez, Dave Kuter, Lourdes Ramos, Maribel Jimenez Back row, Left to right: Marcelino Sanchez, Emily Waite, Keller Fisher, Vinney Snow. Gift Shop BACKUS Items of the Week Indoor/outdoor pillows WINDHAM Buy one, get another at half price. Lose now, win later Popular guides to counting calories, watching your diet and exercise are available 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. Windham Environmental Services wins patient experience honor The Windham Hospital Environmental Services Department took home a first prize at Hartford HealthCare’s third annual Patient Experience Collaborative. The team won first place in the “Patient and Family Centered Care” category for its poster and project “Because We Care.” The project — a joint effort with Windham Hospital Food Services — created postcard-sized comment cards for patients in 4Shea, CCU and the Birthing Center. The card gives patients brief descriptions of what the housekeeping and food and nutrition departments do and urges patients and their families to call directly if they have concerns, questions or special requests. The project builds on a previous H3W project that included a comment card for housekeeping. Hartford HealthCare’s third annual Patient Experience Collaborative, which showcased best practice and innovation across Hartford HealthCare, was April 10 at the Education and Resource Center at Hartford Hospital. n Tune in to our latest videos anytime at backushospital.org. 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 April 17, 2015 Backus: Maria's Kitchen Krafts will be the featured dealer for the next Backus Auxiliary vendor sale Friday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the MOB/cafeteria alcove. Items include jams, preserves, baked goods, spices, gift baskets and more. Windham: Books Are Fun will be the featured dealer for the next Auxiliary to Windham vendor sale Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the atrium. All sales by each auxiliary benefits the host hospital! April 17, 2015 HOSPITELL 3 Sometimes little things mean a lot Editor’s note: Last week Whitney Bundy, Regional Director of Food and Nutrition and Environmental Services, sent an email to her colleagues in SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) format that is a perfect example of how we all can have an impact on our patients’ experience. Her story is one that we can all learn from, a story that shows how seemingly small things can have a big impact on our patients, visitors and their families — so I asked her to share it in place of my column this week. The moral is that sometimes when we encounter people in our hospitals we may not know their entire story, but if we treat them kindly, do the little things and make connections with them, we can make a difference no matter what brings them here. n S: The situation is we routinely start our meetings with recognition and patient safety stories, including a very important one today at our Regional Directors Meeting. Ironically, later the same day, I came in contact with the family member of the patient we discussed — and didn’t even her that was his mother’s name (establishing a personal connection with her). n A: My assessment is that Dave took the time, not knowing what the potentially underlying safety issue was with her family member, to take the visitors under his wing. He clearly established a relationship with her in a small amount of time, and made the patient feel important and that her family member was well cared for. n R: My recommendation is that this story might be a good one to share related to patient experience. know it. n B: The background is Dave Kuter (East Region ESD Manager) and I were standing at the main entrance of Backus this afternoon looking at the lobby appearance, and as we were wrapping it up, two women were walking out right by us. Dave said “Hi Norma! How is it going? How are you?” After they chatted for a bit (he clearly engaged her well), with a big smile clearly on “Norma’s” face the whole time, it sounded to me like Dave and “Norma” were old friends. After the women left, I asked Dave how he knew her. He told me he didn’t, and that he saw her appearing lost this morning and he offered to help her find her way. He asked her (when she was lost) what her name was and she replied “Norma.” He told Dave’s Desk That’s all for now, Dave East Region claims eight Lamplighter awards The East Region communications and marketing team has won eight Lamplighter awards from the New England Society for Health Care Communications (NESHCo) for excellence in communication in health care. The team was honored in the categories of: n Publications/Annual report: 2014 online annual report — Connecting to our Community / Backus Hospital n Excellence in Writing: “You’ve Got Mail” / Backus Hospital n Excellence in Writing: “Dave’s Desk” / Backus and Windham hospitals n Photography: Ebola drill / Backus Hospital n Photography: “Power of positive thinking” feature / Backus Hospital n Websites: Backushospital.org / Backus Hospital n Social Media: Using social media to celebrate staff / Backus and Windham hospitals n Public Relations campaign: Patient Portal / Backus Hospital The awards will be presented at 25th annual Lamplighter Awards Gala Dinner at the World Trade Center Boston on May 21. TRUE BLUE HELPING HANDS Hospital workers dress in blue for colon cancer awareness / 4 Celebrate Certified Nurses Day on March 19 / 6 HospiTell VOL. 43, NO. 11 backushospital.org windhamhospital.org MARCH 14, 2014 You’ve got (less) mail Backus email transfer encourages employees to ‘clean house.’ STORY, PAGE 5 Pam Muccilli, left, Regional Director of Management Information Systems and Rose Field, center, Administrative Secretary in MIS, present the Most Deleted Emails award to Corinne Impellitteri, Informatics Pharmacist in MIS. As part of a email changeover, MIS was encouraging everyone to clean out their inbox and Impellitteri took first place with more than 38,000 deleted emails. A weekly newsletter for East Region employees, volunteers, patients and friends. HOSPITELL 4 W hat y ou d om atters. What you do matters. you matters W hat y ou tthink hink about about your your work work life life m atters ttoo. oo. What T Take ake tthe he E Employee mployee E Engagement ngagement S Survey ur vey M May ay 4 4-May -May 1 15 5 r r r r r r r r r r "OPOZ NPVTBOEDPOàEFOU JBM "OPOZNPVTBOEDPOàEFOUJBM 0OMJOF 0OMJOF 4FDSFUQBTTXPSEEFMJW 4FDSFUQBTTXPSEEFMJWFSFECZ FNBJMPSQPTUDBSE FNBJMPSQPTUDBSE NJOVUFTUPDPNQMF NJOVUFTUPDPNQMFUF :PVSGFFECBDLIFMQTV :PVSGFFECBDLIFMQTVTJNQSPWF We We’re ’re llistening… istening… T ell us Tell us what what you you think think April 17, 2015 Safety Camp set for May 16 Backus Hospital will host the 11th annual Safety Camp on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. in the Backus Hospital parking lot outside the Medical Office Building entrance. Organized by the Backus Trauma and EMS Departments and American Ambulance, Safety Camp gives children and their families an opportunity to learn about safety in a fun environment. Free bicycle helmets will be available for fitting (while supplies last). Children can tour emergency vehicles and learn how they work. Safety lessons will include water, electricity, fire, the use of 911 and more. Face painting will also be available. For more information, call Gillian Schaff at 860-889-8331, ext 3220. Free community event no appointment required! Head and Neck Cancer Screening Tuesday, April 21, 12:30 to 2 pm Screening provided by ear, nose and throat physicians William Culviner, MD and Stephen Rouse, MD Take a few minutes to get this very important painless and easy screening for head and neck cancer. Windham Hospital Family Health Center 5 Founders Street Infusion Center, Second Floor For more information, please call 855.494.4636. April 17, 2015 HOSPITELL 5 Backus unveils latest in da Vinci technology Backus Hospital is the first hospital in the Hartford HealthCare system and only the third hospital in the state to own and utilize the very latest da Vinci surgical robot, which has broader capabilities than past models and can be used for even more minimally invasive procedures. Backus surgeons began using the new da Vinci Xi model in late March for genitourinary and gynecological procedures and most recently colorectal procedures. In addition, Backus surgeons will be performing bariatric and other general procedures with the da Vinci Xi in the near future. “This state-of-the-art technology allows us to offer patients safer, more precise and less invasive procedures. The new robot will also mean less time in surgery and shorter hospital stays for some patients,” says Gail Delaney-Kimball, Regional Director of Surgical Services. The da Vinci Surgical System utilizes advanced, robotic, computer and optical technologies to assist surgeons with a variety procedures. The system has a 3D high definition (3D-HD) vision system, special instruments and computer software which allow surgeons to operate with enhanced COVER STORY vision, precision, dexterity and control. The 3D-HD image is highly magnified; giving surgeons a close-up view of the area he or she is operating on. Instruments have mechanical wrists that bend and rotate to mimic the movements of the human wrist — allowing the surgeon to make small, precise movements inside the patient. Compared to open surgery, studies have shown that patients undergoing da Vinci procedures have shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, less need for narcotic pain medications and smaller incisions associated with minimal scarring. Surgeon Casey McCullough, DO, of Backus Physician Services-Urology says the new robot greatly enhances visual capabilities during surgery. That translates to even more precise procedures, he says. “Because the arms [of the robot] are smaller and easier to move, and the camera can be utilized in any of the four arms, it greatly increases the dexterity of the machine allowing it to be adaptable for even more specialties,” Dr. McCullough says. “We are very fortunate to have this technology and to have a very forward thinking CEO and hospital administration who understand the advantages of minimally invasive procedures.” Regional Clinical Educator Jen Clachrie, RN, left, validates Brenda Davis, RN, on a rapid fluid warmer during the annual emergency department specific competency fair on April 13. Thank you to all our volunteers To mark National Volunteer Week (April 12-18), Backus and Windham Hospital salute all of our amazing volunteers who help us improve the patient experience each and every day. Over the past year, 453 volunteers gave 42,000 hours of service at Backus and 260 volunteers have donated nearly 16,000 hours at Windham. Their support is crucial to our mission of providing the best possible care to the people of Eastern Connecticut. Thank you to all. New environmental services regional manger named I am pleased to announce that Dave Kuter has accepted a new role as Regional Manager of Environmental Services for the East Region. Dave will continue to be very involved at Windham, and has begun getting re-established at Backus. Together, we will be hiring a second shift site supervisor at Windham and a second shift site supervisor at Backus to help support employees, assist with flow, and aid in providing oversight for hospital area cleanliness. Dave is passionate about patient experience and the new opportunity. — Whitney Bundy, MBA, RD, CD-N, Regional Director, Food & Nutrition and Environmental Services, East Region HOSPITELL 6 Nurses Week photo contest Attention all shutterbugs! The Professional Practice Council will be running a photo contest to help celebrate Nurses Week! Submit a photo, no larger than a 5x7, that is your pictorial visualization of the word caring. Be creative, but also be mindful no patients or patient identifiers can be present in the photos. Please write your name and contact number on back of the photo and submit it by April 28 to the Professional Practice Council, PCS office. The photos will be on display in the cafeterias May 6-10. While on display anyone can cast their vote for the winning photo. The winning photographer will have their photo displayed in the hospital for the year and also receive a prize. So get your camera ready, show some spirit while we celebrate Nurses Week. Organ donor registry at Windham April 17 Backus Café Menu LifeChoice Donor Services, a regional organ and tissue registry service, will be on hand on April 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Windham Hospital atrium to provide information on being an organ donor and to register potential applicants. April is National Donate Life Month when people make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming donors. April 17, 2015 News from the 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 emailing Donna McLaughlin at [email protected]. EAG weekly prize winner for April 17 n Justin Porter — ED CONGRATULATIONS! Call Cathy Saunders at ext. 2105 to collect your prize. SATURDAY, April 18 kung pao chicken / fish sandwich with cheese / soup du jour / chef's choice / white rice / mixed vegetables SUNDAY, April 19 beef stirfry / chicken tenders with sauce / soup du jour / chef's choice / wild rice / baby carrots MONDAY, April 20 ENTREES: lemon-herb grilled chicken salad / sausage and pepper grinder / cheese ravioli with tomato cream sauce / SOUPS: chicken tortilla / tomato florentine / SIDES: asparagus / sicilian blend vegetables / roasted red bliss potatoes / fries TUESDAY, April 21 ENTREES: mediterranean stuffed pork chop with gravy / seared tilapia with mangojicama slaw / kielbasa with sauerkraut / SOUPS: cream of potato / beef barley / SIDES: brussel sprouts / baby carrots ./ mashed potatoes / rice pilaf WEDNESDAY, April 22 ENTREES: pulled pork sandwich with pickled slaw / braised beef and tortellini / oven baked cod with green bean salad / SOUPS: chicken noodle soup / creamy corn chowder / SIDES: green beans / normandy blend vegetables / basmati rice / french fries THURSDAY, April 23 ENTREES: asian beef salad / open-faced turkey on focaccia roll with gravy / creamy asparagus herb and pea pasta / SOUPS: stuffed pepper / herb vegetable / SIDES: bermuda blend vegetables / baby beets / mashed potatoes FRIDAY, April 24 ENTREES: orange glazed salmon with olive quinoa / chef’s choice / chicken broccoli mac and cheese with bacon / SOUPS: chef’s choice / shrimp bisque / SIDES: peas and pearl onions / caribbean blend vegetables / wild rice pilaf 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 April 17, 2015 7 Professional Practice Council plans for food drive In a September 2012 report issued by the USDA, 11.9 percent of Connecticut residents struggled with food insecurity. Without food, children cannot learn and adults cannot work. The Professional Practice Council will be sponsoring a food drive on behalf on the CT United Way over the next few weeks as part of our celebration of National Nurses Week. This week at Backus, boxes will be placed on individual units and in the cafeteria for all to donate nonperishable food. The boxes will be collected during nurses week on May 11 unless your area is full sooner! Please contact the Backus Shared Governance Professional Practice Council for earlier pick up as needed. We urge your generous participation. Backus to host blood drive May 1 The daffodils are in bloom outside of the Backus Annex building, always a sure sign of spring, and something we need this year after such a harsh winter. Backus will host an American Red Cross Blood on Friday, May 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the main lobby conference rooms. To schedule an appointment to give blood, e-mail Ginny James at virginia. [email protected] or call 860-889-8331, ext. 4211 or 800RED-CROSS. ENTREE: fried seafood boat with shrimp, scallops and french fries / SOUPS: navy bean with ham / soup du jour / SIDES: french fries / caribbean blend vegetables / SANDWICH: eggplant grilled panini with marinara, fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers TUESDAY, April 21 ENTREE: chef’s choice or cheese ravioli / SOUPS: corn chowder / soup du jour / SIDES: italian green beans / SANDWICH: buffalo chicken wrap WEDNESDAY, April 22 ENTREE: sweet and sour chicken over rice / SOUPS: summer vegetable stew / soup du jour / SIDES: white rice / stir fry vegetables / SANDWICH: smoked turkey avocado grilled panini with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese and chipotle mayo THURSDAY, April 23 ENTREE: stuffed peppers / SOUPS: chicken gumbo / soup du jour / SIDES: chef’s choice / cut corn / SANDWICH: BBQ bacon burger FRIDAY, April 24 ENTREE: beer battered cod / SOUPS: manhattan clam chowder / soup du jour / SIDES: roasted asparagus / sweet potato fries / SANDWICH: italian cold cut grilled panini with pepperoni, salami, capicola ham, provolone cheese and roasted peppers SATURDAY, April 25 ENTREE: sundried tomato and basil grilled chicken / SOUP: chicken fajita with black beans / SIDES: fried potato wedges / spinach / SANDWICH: grilled vegetable panini with spinach, hummus, lettuce and tomato on multigrain bread SUNDAY, April 26 ENTREE: chicken or shrimp stir fry over rice / SOUP: tomato and rice florentine / SIDES: white rice / steamed broccoli / SANDWICH: corned beef reuben grilled panini 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, April 20 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 8 April 17, 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]. marked on or before Friday, July 31), free admission, handicapped accessible. Call 860-974-2760 or email [email protected]. FOR SALE POTTERY BARN KIDS — White wicker table, four pastel colored chairs, Gingham cushions, $150. White toddler bed, $50. Call 860-884-0054. EVENTS GE PROFILE MICROWAVE — White, 2.1 cubic foot, over-the-range, sensor, includes one rack, excellent condition, asking $225 or best offer. Call 860-8877459. SPRING BOOK SALE — Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 19, noon to 3 p.m. at the Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich. Thousands of gently used fiction and non-fiction books, CDs/ DVDs/records. Sponsored by the Friends of Otis Library. ORIENTAL RUG — 10 foot by 12 foot, red, gold, brown, good condition, $50. Call 860-383-2396. WANTED MAGAZINES AND READING GLASSES — Volunteer and Guest Services is collecting items for the patient activity cart: Reading glasses and magazines (within the last three months) and gently used. Please drop items off at the Backus Volunteer Office, ground floor of the hospital. CAREGIVER — Perfect for teachers, assistants and local college students. 24-36 hours per week for the summer and reducing to six to10 hours per week in mid August. Must intend to continue part-time in the fall. Start orienting in mid May and begin in early June. Seeking mature, responsible, dedicated individual to provide support to a young woman with significant disabilities in her home two to three nights per week, 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Ambulatory and uses supported typing to communicate. Semi AWAKE position involves personal care, monitoring during night and assist with all areas of daily living. Responsibilities include cooking, laundry and household tasks. Part of 24/7 team. Must be reliable, able to work independently and have sound judgment. $10$13 per hour. Experience helpful, will train the right person, rewarding work. Call 860-245-5714 to apply or for more information. ARTISTS — FACES at FAHS (Fine Art and Craft Exhibit and Sale at the Finnish American Heritage Society) is seeking artists and crafters for a Saturday, Oct. 3 event at the Finnish Hall, 76 North Canterbury Rd., Canterbury. Indoor/outdoor spaces, $30 (post- WHITE MASS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS & CAREGIVERS — Sunday, April 19 at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich. Following the Mass there will be a brunch in the Cathedral auditorium. Dr. Seth Flagg, USMC, Wounded Warrior Regiment surgeon in Quantico, Va., will be the speaker. OPEN HOUSE — Tuesday, April 21, 9-11 a.m. at St. Joseph Elementary School, Baltic. Full day pre Kindergarten for four year olds, full-day kindergarten through eighth grade. Visit classrooms, speak with teachers, refreshments served. For further information call the office at 860-822-6141. GRISWOLD EXERCISE PROGRAM — The exercise program will be held every Tuesday and Thursday, 67 p.m. at Griswold Elementary School Cafeteria. The class features low impact aerobics, weights, Pilates. Bring your own mats and weights. ZUMBA TO BENEFIT AUTISM — Friday, April 24, 5:15-8 p.m. hosted by the Holiday Inn, Norwich. $10 pre-registration, fee $15, dancing, raffles, prizes. 100% of proceeds benefit Autism. Call 860-9786431. .............. FREE educational forum SPAGHETTI DINNER — Saturday, April 18, 5-7 p.m. at Newent Congregational Church, 7 Newent Road, Lisbon. Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, rolls, beverage, basket raffles, baked goods, adults, $8, seniors and ages 6 to 12, $6, children ages 5 and under, free. Call 860710-5919 or 860-204-0478. DAFFODILS AND POETRY FESTIVAL — Saturday, April 25, 2-4 p.m. at Maples Farm Park. Professional poets from all over Connecticut will read from their own work and the work of poets that have inspired them. The reading will be followed by an open mike to read your poems, light refreshments, family friendly event, free admission, free parking. For more information email [email protected]. CHAMBER MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH — Sunday, April 26, 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Washington St., Norwich. 17th century music with Jesse N. Glaude at the harpsichord and Gavin Black at the continuo organ for a program featuring the works of Frescobaldi and Froberger played on period instruments. Admission is free, though donations to support the series are gladly accepted. Call 860-4250663. ARTHRITIS EXERCISE PROGRAM — Session II is Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, June 10 at the Norwich Recreation Center, 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich. Both sessions are from 10-11 a.m. Norwich residents fee is $48, non-residents is $58. Call 860823-3791. ANNUAL PASTA DINNER-Thursday, April 30, 6-8 p.m. at Bully Busters, 87 Broadway, basement of the UCC Church, Norwich. $10 per person, proceeds benefit World Youth Day Celebration on May 1. Call 860-373-8630. SPRING FLING TAG SALE/LUNCH — Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy New Martyrs Church, 364 Canterbury Tpke., Norwich. Crafts, gifts, frozen foods. CRAFT FAIR — Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Griswold Fish and Game, 330 Bethel Road, Jewett City. Raffle baskets, get your Mother’s Day shopping done. Call 860-376-0586. MARTIN HOUSE & THAMES RIVER FAMILY PROGRAM — Sunday, May 3 at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. Annual luncheon and auction, tickets are $45 which include dinner choices, proceeds benefit the Innovative Treatments in Managing Chronic Neck and Back Pain Presented by John Paggioli, MD Member of the Backus medical staff Monday, April 20, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Backus Hospital Main Lobby Conference Rooms 326 Washington Street, Norwich FREE and open to the community. Come join us! To register, call 860.892.6900
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