Video
News
|
|||||||||||||||||
Video News
| Copyright
Notice These video clips are intended for the exclusive use of Marketing and Communications and may not be copied or rebroadcast in any form. Each news station retains the copyright for its respective footage. |
Lifespan hospitals and their services are frequently featured in the news. Following are some highlights of recent television news coverage of our hospitals.
Editor's note: These videos are optimized for employee viewing on
the Lifespan network and for home viewers with cable/DSL access. Viewing
these videos requires Windows Media Player for Windows or Mac operating
systems. If you do not have it installed or need an updated version,
you can download
it now for free.
 Rhode Island Hospital/ Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital is preparing for the potentially high rates of infection caused by the H1N1 pandemic in the upcoming flu season. |
 Rhode Island Hospital/ Hasbro Children's Hospital Oncology patients between 4 and 8 years old at Hasbro Children's Hospital can attend Camp Dotty, a day camp for children battling cancer. |
 The Miriam Hospital Health insurers are now ordered to cover smoking cessation treatment, an added incentive for those who want to quit.. |
 Newport Hospital A new treatment option for Barrett's esophagus uses balloons to help a Newport resident battle his condition. |
|
|
Have You Seen Us?
Jarvis Green and Moses Family Support The Walk for HCH
Jarvis Green of the New England Patriots is helping spread the word about The Walk for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. In a public service announcement airing on NBC 10, Green talks about why he supports Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and invites the community to participate in the hospital’s first-ever fundraising walk on October 4.
In a second public service announcement, Larry and Jessica Moses tell their daughter’s incredible story of hope and healing. Through sharing their experience, they aim to inspire others to support The Walk for Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
For more information about The Walk for Hasbro Children’s Hospital, visit TheWalk4HCH.org.
General News
New Leadership Team Appointed
On August 13 Lifespan’s president and chief executive officer George Vecchione emailed employees about several new appointments that would “facilitate a closer working relationship among all the hospitals in our system.” The new leadership team, he said, “will build on our past successes and allow for a best practices model to be developed while preserving the unique identities and cultures of all the Lifespan member hospitals.”
The following appointments are effective September 8:
- Timothy J. Babineau, MD, who has served as Rhode Island Hospital's president and chief executive officer since October 2008, will also serve as president and chief executive officer of The Miriam Hospital.
- Kathleen C. Hittner, MD, who has served for 9 years as president and chief executive officer at The Miriam Hospital, has been appointed senior vice president of Community Health for Lifespan. In this capacity, she will have responsibility in all aspects of community health, including the development of Lifespan's primary care physician strategy.
- Arthur J. Sampson, who for the past 15 years as has served as president and chief executive officer of Newport Hospital, has been appointed executive director of The Miriam Hospital. In this new role he will be the lead executive at The Miriam Hospital, reporting to Timothy J. Babineau, MD and working strategically with Fred Macri on a variety of shared services.
- August B. Cordeiro, who became Rhode Island Hospital's vice president of Patient Support Services in 2001 and chief administrative officer in 2002, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Newport Hospital.
The announcement was made a few weeks after the announcement that Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital would merge to form a single entity with two campuses. In the August email, Vecchione said that “a closer working relationship between Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals will allow us to build stronger clinical programs and services that will greatly benefit our patients, while allowing each of these great institutions to retain its unique culture and identity. We are committed to a process that is inclusive and thoughtful, with the goal to build on the strengths of both institutions to better serve our patients.”
Get in the Green Routine
We have heard it time and time again: reduce, reuse, recycle. A lot of us have been doing just that; green and blue recycling bins dot neighborhood streets on trash collection day. Once thing you may not know is that Rhode Island makes it easy for us to recycle items other than plastic, aluminum, cardboard and paper. Here are just a few examples of recycling programs in the state.
ReStore, Rhode Island's plastic bag recycling program, was the first in the nation to provide comprehensive plastic bag recycling. The program, which began in 2005, allows people to recycle plastic bags at most grocery stores and pharmacies. Many types of plastic bags are accepted, and there is no need to separate each kind. Just look for a ReStore container at local retailers. The following types of bags are accepted:
-
Plastic grocery bags, all colors
-
Fresh produce bags
-
Newspaper sleeves
-
Dry cleaning film
-
Plastic shopping bags
Rhode Island also offers free recycling of e-waste to state residents. Residents can recycle computers, monitors, mouse pointers, hard drives, modems, scanners, laptops, printers, televisions, cell phones and all other related equipment at Resource Recovery's facility in Johnston.
Eco-Depot is another free service for Rhode Island residents. The service is for those who wish to dispose of their household hazardous waste, including oil-based paint, thermometers and other mercury-containing items, fertilizer and pool chemicals, safely and properly. The service is available by appointment only.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit http://www.rirrc.org.
Back to School Back Problems
As the summer winds down, thoughts turn to colorful foliage, football games, crisp air, pumpkins and…homework? Yes, autumn means the start of the new school year, and parents may think that kids’ complaints are nothing but whines and moans. If your child is complaining about a heavy backpack, you should pay attention.
According to the New York Times, a recent study found that second graders carry about five pounds of books and homework. By the time students are in sixth grade, that number jumps to 18.4 pounds, and in some cases, students were lugging as much as 30 pounds on their backs.
Heavy backpacks are causing more than just complaints. Pediatricians report seeing an increasing number of children with back problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents look for key factors when buying backpacks for their children.
-
Wide, padded shoulder straps — Narrow straps can dig into shoulders, and cause pain and restrict circulation.
-
Two shoulder straps — Backpacks with one shoulder strap cannot distribute weight evenly.
-
Padded back — A padded back protects against sharp edges on objects inside the pack and increases comfort.
-
Waist strap — A waist strap can more evenly distribute the weight of a heavy load.
-
Lightweight backpack — The backpack itself should not add much weight to the load.
-
Rolling backpack — This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs and may be difficult to roll in snow.
Catch the Vaccine, Not the Flu
It's that time of year again. Fall is fast approaching and for a season that is considered one of the most beautiful times of year, it can also be quite unpleasant. Why? Fall is flu season. Every year in the United States, on average, 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. Even healthy people can get sick and spread the flu to co-workers, patients and family. Don't spread the flu. Get vaccinated.
Although vaccination against the flu remains the primary way to prevent this disease, simple actions can be taken as well. The following tips are just a few of the things you can do to decrease the spread of the flu virus.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
- When you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest and check with a health care provider as needed.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.
- Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
A full schedule of flu vaccination opportunities will be available shortly.
These tips were provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information please visit www.cdc.gov or contact your site's employee health services office.
Rhode Island Hospital
Newly Renovated Tomorrow Fund Clinic Opens at Hasbro Children’s Hospital
The newly renovated Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital has officially opened to young hematology and oncology patients. Formerly located in the lower level of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, the clinic is now located on the first floor, near the main entrance and adjacent to the zoo.
The new 4,700-square-foot space features seven new private exam rooms, a larger playroom and a more centralized nurses’ station. There are also four new infusion rooms that can be closed off with sliding doors for privacy or opened up for socialization among patients.
The clinic offers a wide variety of services to approximately 30 to 40 children and adolescents each day. It also serves as the site for the newly named Edwin N. Forman Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Program.
A positive pressure room has been added for patients who are severely immunocompromised or have recently had a bone marrow transplant. A new negative pressure room protects the other children from a patient with a potentially communicable disease.
Cindy Schwartz, MD, director of the clinic, praises the increased efficiency and safety of the new space. “We are able to have nurses observe patients getting infusions, chemotherapy and transfusions all at the same time from the centralized nurses’ station. The clinic’s modern design also allows staff to expedite treatment for patients.”
Grants Mean Growth For Hospital Community
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law this spring by President Barack Obama, has provided welcome funding for research and technology at a time when the need has been great. The ARRA was designed to stimulate the economy by encouraging research projects conducted using U.S. equipment and products.The funding also promotes job growth and encourages scientific progress within a period of two years.
Peter Snyder, PhD, vice president of research for Lifespan and its partners, oversees the research strategy, development and function at Rhode Island, The Miriam and Bradley hospitals. “The funding came along suddenly, and there was a rush to apply for it,” he says. “People worked long hours and weekends.” Snyder says that many grant applications were submitted from facilities all over the country, making competition tough, but Lifespan has held its own. Lifespan applied for roughly $28 million in funding, expecting to receive approximately two percent. The funding has begun to trickle in, with Lifespan receiving roughly $800,000 so far.
Despite the difficult economy, Lifespan has received a notable amount of non-ARRA funding as well—$27 million this year to date. “We’re really holding our own in grants and submissions, given the economy,” Snyder says.
Grant funding benefits Rhode Island overall, not just researchers. Snyder, who feels strongly that goods and services purchased with grant funding be reinvested in the community when possible, says, “Part of our goal as a hospital system is to help grow the state’s economy.” Despite an otherwise challenging job market, research funding makes it possible for Lifespan to hire actively and creatively in many areas; nearly 400 active researchers are currently employed throughout the system, and over 300 support staff work in Lifespan’s research facilities.
Busy research labs also create the need for supplies and services ranging broadly from air tanks and ionized water to pest control and building renovations, and many of these services purchased locally. State-of-the-art equipment and facilities rich in grant funding also attract skilled and knowledgeable faculty, creating the potential for advances in medicine and, ultimately, better care for our patients.
Join The Walk for Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Join walkers from across southern New England on October 4 at 11 a.m.for The Walk for Hasbro Children’s Hospital, the first-ever walk to benefit the hospital. Hospital staff, patients, families, and the public are invited to team up to raise money to support patient care and research.
Starting at Station Park, walkers and their teams will be able to choose from two-mile or five-mile walks through historic downtown Providence. Free refreshments and entertainment, including music provided by media sponsor Citadel, will add to the celebratory atmosphere.
While walkers share a common goal (to support and enhance the services provided at Hasbro Children's Hospital) many walkers will have personal reasons for their involvement. According to Emily Quinn, manager of special events for Lifespan, “We are encouraging walkers to form a team made up of school groups, co-workers, neighbors and friends, college students, and other community groups, and walk in honor of any number of courageous children who have been patients at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”
Hasbro Children’s Hospital’s pediatrician-in-chief, Robert Klein, MD comments, “We have touched many lives over the past 15 years and we are looking forward to seeing the children and their families at The Walk, which supports our mission of providing family-centered care, close to home.”
Participants can make a gift, be a team leader, join a team and fundraise, or volunteer their time at The Walk. The Walk is on October 4 at 11 a.m. with registration from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, to register or lend support, visit www.thewalk4hch.org or call 401-444-6888.
The Miriam Hospital
Reflection and the Future of The Miriam
by Kathleen C. Hittner, MD
I joined The Miriam family in 1979. It is now 30 years later and I cannot believe how far the hospital has come, and how far it has taken me.
In my time as president and chief executive officer of The Miriam Hospital—nearly a decade—I have been proud of the changes we have all worked for. I am equally proud of each and every member of The Miriam family. It is our excellent and caring doctors, nurses, technicians, cooks, security staff, volunteers and donors, among many others, who make The Miriam what it is today. From 1996 until I was named president in 2000, I served as anesthesiologist-in-chief, and felt privileged to work beside our talented clinical staff in that capacity. During my tenure as president, it has meant so much to me to continue my clinical work and practice side by side with many outstanding professionals.
While we have grown, we have remained true to our roots. As a result of a successful fundraising effort, we were able to build the Victor and Gussie Baxt Building, a space that is both beautiful and technologically advanced. At the same time, we have remained deeply rooted in our heritage and have worked to maintain strong relationships with our neighbors. That is what I have come to value most about The Miriam: the ability to progress toward our future while never forgetting the values of the past.
Since The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital affiliated to form Lifespan, the two hospitals have worked closely as they’ve built on their strengths and preserved their legacies. I am confident that will continue in the future. As teaching hospitals for The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, we train the physicians and surgeons of tomorrow and our researchers study important topics to find better treatments for our patients. Continuing to work together, academically and clinically, can only strengthen these two great institutions.
The Miriam’s past provides the foundation for its future. As we work to make our goals a reality, we all will do well to remember the values of The Miriam. We must always progress. But as we reach new heights, we cannot forget our values or the inspiration of those who have gone before us.
I am grateful to have been appointed president of The Miriam Hospital more than nine years ago and for the opportunity to have a more expanded role in the Lifespan system. The Miriam Hospital will always be dear to my heart
As The Miriam moves toward its future, I also move toward mine— as senior vice president of community health for Lifespan. My new office will be in the Coro Building, in suite 2B, and I can be reached at 444-2009.
The Miriam is a place where patient care comes first, and I am deeply grateful for having the opportunity to work with all of the wonderful people who provide that care.
Miner Gains New Appointment
Martin Miner, MD, has been named chief of the department of family and community medicine at The Miriam Hospital.
Miner is co-director of the Men’s Health Center at The Miriam Hospital. The center, which opened in 2008, brings together primary care physicians, urologists and mental health professionals in a unique and collaborative effort to treat men’s sexual and overall health.
A clinical associate professor in family medicine with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miner received the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2003 and 2007. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Urologic Association, and was recently elected a fellow of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Miner also serves as a reviewer on several journal editorial boards, and holds an appointment as a consultant for the International Society of Sexual Medicine Consensus Panel.
“Dr. Miner is not only an outstanding, well-respected and sought-after family physician, but he is also a leader in his field, paving the way in primary care and men’s health as a clinician, teacher and researcher,” says Kathleen C. Hittner, MD, president and CEO of The Miriam Hospital. “His knowledge, expertise and vision will help us continue to provide comprehensive, family-based care and improve the health of the communities that we serve. We congratulate Dr. Miner on this well-deserved appointment and welcome him to our leadership team.”
 Mary M. Flynn, PhD |
Women’s Wellness Workshop: Take Time for You
There are simple things every woman can do to improve her health. The first step is to attend Women's Wellness Workshop 2009. Join us for seminars, health screenings, relaxation and entertainment. The Miriam Hospital is sponsoring this daylong event to empower you with the information you need to stay healthy.
Keynote speaker Mary M. Flynn, PhD, RD, LDN, currently holds the positions of outpatient nutritionist at Lifespan, and supervisor and chief research dietitian at The Miriam Hospital. She will speak on the topic of Food as Medicine: Eating Your Way to a Healthier You.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Crowne Plaza, Warwick, RI
Registration is $30. Employees of The Miriam Hospital can get a $5 discount with the code Miriam09. Space is limited, so register online today!
Bradley Hospital
Back-to-School Butterflies or Something More?
The start of the school year often means changes for children: the first day of kindergarten, the transition to middle or high school, new classrooms and teachers. Some children adjust easily to their new schedules and environments and are excited about returning to school. But for others, it can be a scary, anxious and stressful experience.
“It’s normal for children to be anxious or fearful about any new situation, whether it’s starting a new school, riding the bus for the first time, or meeting a new teacher,” says child psychologist Abbe Garcia, PhD, of the Pediatric Anxiety Research Clinic at the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center (BHCRC). “Older children may be nervous about academic performance or making new friends. The most important thing parents can do is acknowledge the child’s anxiety, find out exactly what it is that he or she is worried about, and offer reassurance.”
Other ways parents can help ensure a smooth back-to-school transition include:
-
Emphasize the positive things about going back to school: seeing old friends, meeting new classmates and participating in sports and other school activities.
-
Have your child help with back-to-school preparations, such as picking out a new backpack, lunchbox, notebooks or other school supplies.
-
If your child is starting a new school, contact the school before the first day to arrange a visit.
-
Try to transition children into a consistent school-night routine at least a week or two before school starts, including earlier bedtimes.
-
Use a wall calendar or white board to keep track of when assignments are due, tests will be given, extracurricular practices and rehearsals will be held, etc.
-
Be enthusiastic—parental anxiety can be contagious and affect a child’s mood.
How can parents tell if it’s something more than just back-to-school jitters? For most children, back-to-school anxiety will improve as they get back into the swing of things. However, some children may continue to complain of vague physical ailments, such as a stomach ache, headache or nausea, that often appear just before it’s time to leave for school and improve once the child is allowed to stay home. Others may have severe tantrums when being forced to go to school or may exhibit clingy or defiant behavior. And a small percentage of children may refuse to go to school altogether.
“If your child’s school anxiety persists or worsens over time and is impacting his or her ability to function on a daily basis, it may actually be a sign of a deeper problem, such as separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder or school refusal. It’s probably time to seek help from your child’s pediatrician or a mental health professional,” Garcia says.
Speaking of Kids: Positive Approaches to Discipline
Join Bradley Hospital for the first workshop of its fall/winter Speaking of Kids series. Speaking of Kids programs are free and open to the public. The 2009 Speaking of Kids series is sponsored by Tufts Health Plan. Credits are available as follows: 2.0 CEUs/nursing and social work credits have been applied for each program, two contact hours for professional development credit are provided for teachers, and certificates of attendance are provided for child care providers, teaching assistants, and other professionals.
Positive Approaches to Discipline
Rowland Barrett, PhD
Thursday, September 24
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
This workshop will be held at Bradley Hospital. Register online.
See the full Speaking of Kids schedule.
Fourth Annual Family Resource and Education Fair
On Thursday, October 8, Bradley Hospital will host its third annual Family Resource and Education Fair in Ruggles Gymnasium from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by Parents Helping Parents, Bradley Hospital Family Liaison Program and the Lifespan Health Connection.
Representatives from dozens of statewide mental health advocacy, support and information organizations will be on hand to offer details about resources and services available for parents, families, teachers, and children and adolescents with special mental health needs. Such organizations include Rhode Island Parent Information Network, Parent Support Network of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Department of Human Services Center for Child and Family Health, Rhode Island Disability Law Center, Office of the Mental Health Advocate, Rhode Island Bar Association, and CEDARR Family Centers.
Registration is requested. Please call Chris Brown at 432-1205.
Newport Hospital
Party in the Birthing Center
On August 6, the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center held a celebration to mark World Breastfeeding Week / National Breastfeeding Week. The breastfeeding support group and a few guests enjoyed cake and punch in the birthing center.
Emergency department director Karen Smith, RN spoke about what new mothers should be aware of concerning emergency preparation, and group facilitator Cheryl Mulcahy, RN, of the birthing center, talked with the mothers about their individual concerns and progress. About 20 babies also attended the celebration.
CEO Shadows ED Nurses
In the most recent employee engagement survey, employees indicated that communication between senior management and hospital staff is important to them. Newport Hospital administrators continue to “shadow” employees to learn about their responsibilities and challenges.
In June, hospital president and CEO Arthur Sampson spent an afternoon with emergency department nurses Pat Grimes and Mary Marshall. “I spent from early afternoon to about early evening,” he says. “Although it wasn’t a particularly busy day, there was plenty of steady activity and I was able to observe Pat and Mary working with patients in the treatment rooms.”
Conscious of patient privacy, Sampson was a little surprised that when he introduced himself and asked patients if he could observe their treatments, they not only agreed but “they all seemed happy that I was there.” He recalls a patient who was visiting from out of state and had been treated at home for a medical problem but had to use the emergency department while he was in Newport. “I received a letter from him a few weeks later, praising the ED staff, and I wrote to him and told him I remembered him and was glad he was pleased with his care.” Sampson adds that all the patients he observed were very complimentary about the hospital.
Mary Marshall, RN, also speaks of how pleased the patients seemed to have the hospital president around. “He really engaged them,” she says of Sampson, “and they talked to him and a couple of them told him how great they think the hospital is.”
Although we’re all aware that nurses in the ED perform myriad tasks in addition to direct patient care, Sampson says his time there highlighted that fact. “Mary would clean up and restock the treatment room after a patient leaves,” he says, “and Erin O’Brien spent more than 20 minutes on the phone with a patient’s insurance company—twice.”
Sampson noticed that the medication reconciliation process takes a significant amount of time. Often, patients do not know what medications they take, which results in “very complex, very time-consuming conversations, back and forth, with physicians,” he says.
“I was tired at the end of the day,” Sampson says. “Pat and Mary and all our nurses perform a physically demanding job. Even though I knew that, observing and keeping up with them drove it home for me.”
Lifespan Corporate Services
Shuttle Bus Services Expanded to Include Express Line
In order to keep up with ongoing needs and provide the best service possible to employees, a new shuttle bus will be servicing Coro East. This shuttle will offer express services, running only between Coro East, Coro West, and the parking area behind the Physicians' Office Building on Plain Street only, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The regular Coro shuttle bus will continue to service Coro East, Coro West, Claverick Street and the main entrance of Rhode Island Hospital.
Baked Goods for a Good Cause Benefit LCS Employee Fund
On Friday, August 28 volunteer bakers for the Lifespan Corporate Services employee fund sold baked goods for a good cause. The bake sale generated $414.70 for the fund, which provides assistance to Lifespan corporate employees in times of need. Items donated by Lifespan Corporate Services employees included cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, biscotti, and even a sugar-free cheesecake which sold in less than 10 minutes.
“The bake sale is a fun way to bring in more funds. It’s always a big hit!” says Maria DaGraca, chair of the employee fund committee and an executive secretary in the network services department.
Funds exist to aid families that need financial assistance due to an unforeseen event. This year, the need may be even greater than normal.
“We anticipate a greater influx of requests this winter due to the economic situation,” says DaGraca. In order to meet demand, the employee fund committee plans to have a bake sale during the holiday season, and is putting together a cookbook that will showcase recipes from Lifespan Corporate Services volunteer bakers.
|
|
| Lifelines Digest is published on the last business day of each month. The deadline for submitting items is one week prior to the publication date. Send items to Ashley Wilkins at webteam@lifespan.org. |
Managing Editor:
Susan Ryan |