Scope. On July 29th, just off the Curran Memorial. North Berkshire Drill Tests Emergency Response

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Norman Nichols
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responders to the bus crash off of Curran Highway in North Adams, performing the initial assessment

On July 29th, just off the Curran Memorial Highway, a bus filled with passengers crashed and burst

complex, you would have noticed the fire trucks and ambulance companies, but the bus itself would

1 August 14, 2014 Volume 36 Issue 14 Berkshire Health Systems Employee Newsletter North Berkshire Drill Tests Emergency Response North Adams firefighters and North Adams Ambulance were among the first responders to the bus crash off of Curran Highway in North Adams, performing the initial assessment of the scene and those who were injured. On July 29th, just off the Curran Memorial Highway, a bus filled with passengers crashed and burst into flames, causing a wide range of injuries, from fatalities to serious wounds to minor cuts and scrapes. If you had driven by the normally vacant parking lot that once housed a supermarket and movie theater complex, you would have noticed the fire trucks and ambulance companies, but the bus itself would have been invisible, as the scenario was part of an emergency operations drill being held in Northern Berkshire. Satellite Emergency Facility staff discuss the status of some of the patients entering the facility from the drill. continued on page 2 At right: The BMC Satellite Emergency Facility was a hub of activity during the drill, as it was the destination for many of the injured. Some of the patients, portrayed by community volunteers, are checked into the SEF.

2 BMC Takes a Swing at Stroke Awareness Members of the BMC Stroke Team were at Wahconah Park on July 25th for a Pittsfield Suns game, meeting with fans and providing stroke information and prevention

Visitors to Wahconah Park on July 25th not only had the chance to see a good baseball game, as the Pittsfield Suns took on the Torrington Titans, but also had the opportunity to learn about the signs

While the Suns didn t come out on top that night, members of the BMC Stroke Program did interact with many of the fans attending the game, providing them with free blood pressure screenings and key

2 2 BMC Takes a Swing at Stroke Awareness Members of the BMC Stroke Team were at Wahconah Park on July 25th for a Pittsfield Suns game, meeting with fans and providing stroke information and prevention tips. Pictured, left to right: Christine Motzkus-Feagans, Micaela Atkins, Lori Broderick, Medical Assistant in Neurology, and Sally McCarty, LPN. Visitors to Wahconah Park on July 25th not only had the chance to see a good baseball game, as the Pittsfield Suns took on the Torrington Titans, but also had the opportunity to learn about the signs and symptoms of stroke, and what to do if someone you know shows them. While the Suns didn t come out on top that night, members of the BMC Stroke Program did interact with many of the fans attending the game, providing them with free blood pressure screenings and key information about stroke and how to prevent it. BMC thanks the Pittsfield Suns for hosting our Stroke Awareness Night at Wahconah Park. Christine Motzkus-Feagans provides a free blood pressure screening to a fan at the Suns game. North Berkshire Drill Tests Emergency Response continued from page 1 Berkshire Medical Center, BMC s Satellite Emergency Facility in North Adams, North Adams Fire and Police and North Adams, Adams, Village, County and Action Ambulance companies participated in the community drill. The fictional event sent numerous casualties, some of them portrayed by real people and others by manikins, to BMC s main campus and to the Satellite Facility. The goal was to test the response of all of the agencies to what one day could be a real incident also involving mass casualties, and to learn both the strengths of the response and areas for improvement. At right: Several of the injured passengers from the bus were scattered across a large area of empty parking lot, and also thrown into the brush surrounding the location, which once served as a supermarket and movie theater complex.

3 Wine & Beer Tasting Event to Support BMC Cancer Center On Saturday, September 27th, you can enjoy some of the best wine and beer and also support the BMC Cancer Center s Integrative Care program.

3 3 Wine & Beer Tasting Event to Support BMC Cancer Center On Saturday, September 27th, you can enjoy some of the best wine and beer and also support the BMC Cancer Center s Integrative Care program. Taste of Life Wine & Beer Tasting will be held on that date, from 4 to 7 pm on the grounds of the Hillcrest Campus of BMC, outside the Cancer Center. Integrative services are needed by cancer patients but are not covered by insurance, including wigs, yoga, Reiki, massage therapy, exercise programs, cosmetology, acupuncture, lymphedema sleeves and more. Tickets for the event are $25 for a single, $40 for couples and $100 for Early Access VIP, which allows not only early entry to the event, but also free massage therapy before the wine and beer tasting. To register for the event, visit the Berkshire Health Systems website, The Taste of Life will also feature food from local restaurants, a silent auction and raffle, music from a local disc jockey and tours of the new Cancer Center. In addition, the Berkshire Heroes awards will be announced. Berkshire Heroes are people and organizations that have had a positive impact on the lives of those being treated for cancer. You can nominate your own Berkshire Hero or Heroes by visiting the BHS website. Chaplain s Corner: Thirsting By Sister Colette Hanlon, SC, BMC Chaplain During these sometimes hot, muggy (and long awaited) summer days and nights, we see people carrying water bottles to slake their thirst. Health practitioners keep reminding us of the importance of staying hydrated, especially if we are out in the sun. Imagine for a moment if, because of a deeper thirst, we refrained from drinking water, other liquids and food each day from sunup to sundown. What would impel people to make this sacrifice? Muslims find that refraining from the usual sustenance of daily life sharpens their awareness of God s presence and God s desire for connection with us. July was Ramadan, the holy month of Muslims who comprise about 23% of the world s population. It was a time of fasting, prayer, charitable giving and self-accountability. This annual fasting is not just about eating and drinking, but also about refraining from evil thoughts, words and deeds. With that in mind, we should express gratitude to our Muslim sisters and brothers who set a wonderful example for the rest of us. At our deepest we all thirst for relation with the Holy, however we name the One God of us all. Growing in gratitude for the plenitude of water we enjoy may then also be an invitation to be aware of those in our world who have little or no access to water to slake their thirst.

4 Diabetes Walk to Support BMC Patient Needs Fund Get your walking shoes on and join in a fun and healthy walk to support diabetes care.

The three mile walk will go from Farnum s Crossing north to Route 8 and back, and is designed to raise awareness and funding to help fight diabetes in our community.

Register yourself or a team to register, call Tammy or Jan at the BMC Diabetes Education Program, 413-395-7942.

4 4 Diabetes Walk to Support BMC Patient Needs Fund Get your walking shoes on and join in a fun and healthy walk to support diabetes care. The Berkshire Diabetes Walk will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 9:00 am at Farnum s Crossing on the Ashuwillticook Trail. The three mile walk will go from Farnum s Crossing north to Route 8 and back, and is designed to raise awareness and funding to help fight diabetes in our community. Funds will go to the BMC Diabetes Patient Needs Fund, which helps to cover the cost of urgent diabetes expenses for local patients in need of financial support. Register yourself or a team to register, call Tammy or Jan at the BMC Diabetes Education Program, If you are unable to participate but still want to support the Walk, send a tax deductible donation to: BMC Diabetes Education, 725 North Street, Pittsfield, MA Please make your check out to: BMC Diabetes Patient Needs Fund The Berkshire Diabetes Walk is sponsored by BMC with support from Roger s Team, a community-based team that participates in the event. Food Options at BMC Continue to Expand and Get Healthier BMC s Nutrition and Foodservice has expanded the fresh salad and fruit bar. Fresh vegetables include, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, red and green pepper strips, celery and carrot sticks, sliced squash, radishes, arugula and baby spinach. Fresh fruits include honey dew melon, cantaloupe and watermelon, strawberries, red and green grapes and pineapple. Freshly made salads are available with peas and kidney beans, broccoli, couscous, wheat berry, tabouli, quinoa, cole slaw, carrot raisin, red potato, sliced beet and pasta salads. Typical salad toppings are olives, croutons, shredded cheese, edame, raisins, peas, Chinese noodles, sunflower seed and pepperoncini. New salad dressings offerings include a mixture of light and fat free. This is the next natural step in offering healthier options to our visitors and staff, said Roger Knysh, Director of BMC Food Service. In addition to the healthy salad bar, we began a new fresh fruit and yogurt bar. The breakfast bar offers all natural yogurt, fresh strawberries, blueberries, orange sections, fresh pineapple, granola and a mixed berry selection. The fresh fruit and yogurt bar was transformed at lunch and dinner into a separate sandwich bar that helps improve the flow in the cafeteria during peak hours. A sandwich bar is also available, where you can create your own sandwiches with healthy ingredients. The Panini grill has also returned, with weekly choices, such as buffalo chicken, Turkey Reuben, roasted vegetable, Caprese and pesto chicken. New soups include Chicken Tortilla, Golden Chicken Mushroom, Buffalo Chicken and the house favorite Italian wedding. New expanded and healthy food options await visitors to the BMC Café, including a larger salad bar.

5 BMC Urologists to Discuss Bladder and Other Urologic Health Issues in North Berkshire Kevin Killeen, MD Jonah Marshall, MD Stephen St.

Services of BMC. Drs. Kevin Killeen, Jonah Marshall and Stephen St.

The physicians will discuss the latest treatment options for Urologic issues, including bladder cancer, incontinence and others.

5 5 BMC Urologists to Discuss Bladder and Other Urologic Health Issues in North Berkshire Kevin Killeen, MD Jonah Marshall, MD Stephen St. Clair, MD The latest advances in the treatment of Urologic health issues will be the focus of a community lecture being held in Northern Berkshire in September, presented by Urology Professional Services of BMC. Drs. Kevin Killeen, Jonah Marshall and Stephen St. Clair, board certified Urologists, will present New Treatments in Urology, on Wednesday, September 17th at 6 pm at the Williams Inn in Williamstown. The physicians will discuss the latest treatment options for Urologic issues, including bladder cancer, incontinence and others. They will also highlight some of the technology they use in caring for patients, with interactive displays of laser and other technologies. The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. To register, call or register online at The Quality Zone The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement Blood pressure (BP) continues to be one of the most important measurements in clinical medicine and yet it is one of the most inaccurately performed. The diagnosis and management of hypertension is dependent on an accurate BP measurement. If the measuring device (sphygmomanometer) produces inaccurate numbers or the measurement technique is flawed, it follows that incorrect management decisions will be made such as introducing new medications or adjusting dosages. These medications carry a risk of side effects, complications and are expensive. Some of the most common errors are: Using the wrong size cuff Applying the cuff incorrectly Not positioning the stethoscope directly above the artery-incorrect placement will result in too low of a systolic and too high of a diastolic pressure measurement Incorrect interpretation of the sounds heard Recently a multidisciplinary performance improvement MDPI team conference was held to review a specific case study accompanied by supporting literature. As a result a checklist was developed with these helpful steps to follow: Proper positioning of the patient Right size and position of the cuff Patient should be quiet and comfortable Cuff bladder should wrap around 80% of the arm circumference Correctly interpreting BP reading If the BP reading requires a treatment change always have someone verify the blood pressure first You can find more information online through the American Heart Association and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. There is also an education module available through Healthstream.

6 WellnessWorks (413) 447-3100 Visit the WellnessWorks page of the employee portal for more information and to register for any of our programs. https://www.bhswellnessworks.

Healthy Eating for Your Kids (and Family) New Wellness Insurance Requirements 2015 Do you want to provide healthier foods for your children and family?

This workshop will help you resist the marketing to children and includes ways to provide healthy meals, snacks and beverages that will help to keep your family healthy.

Monday, September 29 Tuesday, September 30 Hillcrest Campus of BMC, Library, 1st floor Fairview, ground floor conference room Clocktower, 5th floor large conference room

However, if you do want to join a wellness insurance plan and take advantage of the significant savings, you and your spouse will need to meet the requirements.

Employees and their spouses interested in a family Wellness health Insurance plan in 2015 will need to meet the following requirements before October 1, 2014: BHS Employee

Spouse Requirements (new) Wellness Screening* 2014 online Personal Health Assessment 2014 online Preven ve Screening Survey *Wellness screening completed a er 10/01/2013 meets

6 6 WellnessWorks (413) Visit the WellnessWorks page of the employee portal for more information and to register for any of our programs. BHS employees and spouses who complete their Wellness screening and requirements by August 31, 2014, could WIN an ipad Mini or one of ten $100 Visa Gift Cards. Healthy Eating for Your Kids (and Family) New Wellness Insurance Requirements 2015 Do you want to provide healthier foods for your children and family? We know that family schedules are hectic and graband-go convenience foods though fast, cheap and readily available don t provide growing bodies with the nutrition they need. This workshop will help you resist the marketing to children and includes ways to provide healthy meals, snacks and beverages that will help to keep your family healthy. Attend one of these workshops presented by Jennifer Ward, RD, LDN, CLC, CPT, Wellness Registered Dietian Tuesday, September 9 Friday, September 12 Tuesday, September 16 Monday, September 29 Tuesday, September 30 Hillcrest Campus of BMC, Library, 1st floor Fairview, ground floor conference room Clocktower, 5th floor large conference room Central Block, small conference room BMC, PDR D Tennis Anyone? Fridays at Berkshire West, 6 pm. Call Cheryl Martin to sign up: (413) :15 pm Noon Noon & 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 11:30 am & 12:15 pm BHS offers wellness services to all employees and their spouses. You do not have to join a wellness health insurance plan or have a weekly work commitment to enjoy the benefits of wellness. However, if you do want to join a wellness insurance plan and take advantage of the significant savings, you and your spouse will need to meet the requirements. The good news is that the requirements will only help to support your journey to a healthier, more empowered life. Employees and their spouses interested in a family Wellness health Insurance plan in 2015 will need to meet the following requirements before October 1, 2014: BHS Employee Requirements Wellness Screening* 2014 online Personal Health Assessment 2014 online Preven ve Screening Survey 2014 online Self Care Module Flu Vaccina on or declina on BHS Spouse Requirements (new) Wellness Screening* 2014 online Personal Health Assessment 2014 online Preven ve Screening Survey *Wellness screening completed a er 10/01/2013 meets requirements. Free & available to spouses but not required: Flu vaccination, 2014 Self Care Module New to Wellness? If you do not have a WellnessWorks.org account, call and we will set you up. It s easy! Three ways to schedule your Wellness Screening: 1) Call: (413) ) wellnessworks@bhs1.org 3) Online at We are here to help you complete all of your requirements! Bringing Health & Wellness to Life

7 BHS SPOUSES Complete all Wellness requirements in less than 1 hour! Spouses must Pre-register Call 447-2983 or email wellnessworks@bhs1.

5 pm Workshops Include: An overview of our BHS Wellness Program and introduction of the WellnessWorks website 10 minutes Healthy Lifestyle Lecture 20 minutes Blood Pressure 10 minutes Before the

All spouses who participate in a workshops will be entered into a drawing for one of five $99.00 FITNESS BUCKS visa cards.

Health Assessment, Online Preventive Screening survey, Online Self-Care Module (employees only).

7 7 BHS SPOUSES Complete all Wellness requirements in less than 1 hour! Spouses must Pre-register Call or wellnessworks@bhs1.org All sessions will be held in the computer training room, 1st floor, Bishop Clapp building, 742 North Street, Pittsfield Thursday, August 21 8 am & 5 pm Saturday, August 23 9 am Tuesday, August 26 5 pm Workshops Include: An overview of our BHS Wellness Program and introduction of the WellnessWorks website 10 minutes Healthy Lifestyle Lecture 20 minutes Blood Pressure 10 minutes Before the workshop: Your spouse will have fasting blood work (lipid panel and blood glucose) completed at one of the BHS blood drawing stations. All spouses who participate in a workshops will be entered into a drawing for one of five $99.00 FITNESS BUCKS visa cards. Your spouse will establish a WellnessWorks account and complete a Personal Health Assessment and the Prevention Screening Survey After the workshop: A BHS Wellness Coach will send you a copy of your personalized wellness summary. Employees and their spouses interested in a family wellness health insurance plan in 2015 will need to meet the following 4 requirements by October 1, 2014: Wellness Screening, 2014 online Personal Health Assessment, Online Preventive Screening survey, Online Self-Care Module (employees only). T h Loan Sale The Loan SALE Berkshire Federal Credit Union 2014 We need to buy a bigger safe or loan out some money. Let s help each other out and consolidate those credit cards and old loans today! We also have Car Home Equity & Personal Loans 1450 East Street M F 9 4:00 Drive up open until 4:30 (413) * You must be credit qualified On New loans only Please direct any comments, questions or suggestions for to Development and Community Relations at Editor: Ruth Blodgett Writers: Mike Leary, Elzbieta Lauren Smith Ala Trzepacz Layout and Printing: Deirdre McKenna, Materials Management is printed on paper with post-consumer recycled content. Self Defense Course Offered for Employees BHS employees interested in learning self-defense techniques can take advantage of a free program being offered this fall, with sessions available in September, October and November. RAD, or Rape Aggression Defense, will be offered in four, three-hour classes, for a total of twelve hours of instruction. The first series runs September 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, the second October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, and in November on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. All classes are from 6 to 9 pm at the Hillcrest Campus of BMC in Education Classroom I. To register, visit the BHS Employee Web Portal, print out the form and submit by fax to the Education Department. BHS Job Opportunities To view job descriptions and/or apply for a position at Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital or BVNA & Hospice, please visit our website at: and click on Employment.

8 Thanks and Recognition Someone from the nursing team checked on me very often and answered call bells promptly. I cannot say enough positive things about all I dealt with.

8 8 Thanks and Recognition Someone from the nursing team checked on me very often and answered call bells promptly. I cannot say enough positive things about all I dealt with. Comment from a BMC Orthopaedic Unit patient So happy to be able to use services in North Adams and hope to see more. Comment from a Laboratory Services patient from the Northern Berkshire Campus of BMC We love Fairview Hospital. It has always given us the best service. Comment from a Fairview Hospital patient The girls at the front desk are the best, always so helpful and pleasant. Comment from a BMC Center for Rehabilitation patient The staff of the Mother Baby Unit, including OB/GYN physicians, nurses, lactation consultants - they were all wonderful. Comment from a BMC Mother Baby Unit patient Your whole staff has a warm and caring attitude, making my stay a pleasant one. Great attitude toward patients. Comment from a BMC Surgical Services patient Everyone was extremely pleasant, and I was very grateful to be fit in to a canceled appointment at the last minute. Comment from a BMC Radiology Services patient Excellent service, your hospital staff makes you feel like you're at your own home. I went through surgery many times at BMC and I really recommend it, as in my own opinion it is one of the best hospitals. Comment from a relative of a BMC Pediatric Unit patient I was treated for a dog bite at Fairview. The staff was very efficient and congenial. Waiting time was minimal. Comment from a Fairview Hospital patient Pet Encounter Prompts Touching Portrait of Care Studies have shown over and over the benefit of pet therapy. Often the presence of a caring canine, feline, or other companion can have a soothing and healing impact on those facing health issues. Recently, a BMC employee caught just such a moment, not with a state-of-the-art digital camera, but with her hands, as she sketched a member of the BMC Pet Therapy Team comforting a patient on Jones 2. Rhino, as you can see in the sketch, is resting his head on the patient s foot, and remained in that spot for a lengthy period of time. The sketch was drawn by Patricia Doherty, a clinical therapist at BMC. Sometimes a picture, especially a hand-drawn one, speaks a thousand words. In Memoriam Rose P. Litano, who worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the former St. Luke s Hospital, now Berkshire Medical Center, died on August 7th at the age of 90. Natalie M. Mara, who worked as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner for the Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association and Hillcrest Family Health, died on August 9th at the age of 77. She served as a nurse for over 40 years before retirement. The staff of Berkshire Health Systems offers its deepest condolences to their friends and family.

Scope. Nurses at Berkshire Medical Center were honored. Berkshire Health Systems paid tribute to the. Nurses Celebrated for Contributions to Care

Scope. Nurses at Berkshire Medical Center were honored. Berkshire Health Systems paid tribute to the. Nurses Celebrated for Contributions to Care Scope May 30, 2013 Volume 35 Issue 10 B e r k s h i r e H e a l t h S y s t e m s E m p l o y e e N e w s l e t t e r Nurses Celebrated for Contributions to Care Nurses at Berkshire Medical Center were