Accomplishments

Backus Earns Primary Stroke Center Certification

Backus Hospital recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers, both of which represent symbols of quality.

The hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review by Joint Commission experts on April 12, 2018. The evaluation focused on stroke-related standards and requirements, program management, the delivery of clinical care and performance improvement at the hospital.

Established in 2003, Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. The certification was derived from the Brain Attack Coalition’s “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers,” printed in the Journal of the American Medical Society in 2000, and the “Revised and Updated Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers,” published in the professional journal Stroke in 2011.

Tops in Quality

Patient safety efforts earned both Backus and Windham solid grades from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit healthcare ratings organization. Backus was among the 832 in the United States to earn an “A” grade while Windham, which had been handed an “F” just a few years ago from Leapfrog, earned a “B.” The grades are based on hospital performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms.

Backus Recognized for Surgery Outcomes

For the second consecutive year, Backus Hospital was recognized for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) through its National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). As an ASA NSQIP participant, Backus is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that directs patient safety and the quality of surgical care improvements.

Nurses Celebrated

Twelve East Region nurses were named winners of the 2018 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. Winners from Backus Hospital included Elizabeth Hunter, RN, Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum; Alexandra Miko, RN, BSN, Progressive Care Unit; Linda Miller, RN, Patient Care Services; Shanon Pereira, RN, BSN, Progressive Care Unit; Elizabeth Peterson, RN, BSN, Cardiology; and Jennifer Smith, BSN, MS, Inpatient Psychiatric. Winners from Windham Hospital included: Shayna Laflam, RN, BSN, Ambulatory Care/PACU; Michele Marcotte, RN, Operating Room; and Pamela Purcell, RN, BS, Emergency Department. Natchaug Hospital winners were Janice Ash, RN, BSN, Nursing Management; and Klari Esmaieli, RN, Adult Inpatient Unit. Valerie Walton, RN, BSN, Rushford at Stonegate and Behavioral Health Home was the winner from Rushford Hospital.

Backus Breast Center Earns Accreditation

The Backus Hospital Breast Cancer Program earned a three-year reaccreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. This is awarded to institutions across the nation that are providing the highest level of breast care. It was announced after a site visit and in-depth review of the hospital’s performance in 27 evidence-based standards.