Griffin Health Hosts 'Ask a Pharmacist' on March 4

DERBY –The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, invites the community to bring their medication questions to Griffin’s expert pharmacists on Wed., March 4 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the hospital.

Griffin Health Director of Pharmacy Services Lisa Jaser, Pharm D, and other members of the Griffin Pharmacy staff will lead a casual Q&A for any and all medication questions.

Medication errors injure hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States. However, most medication errors can be prevented with open communication between the pharmacist and patient as well as the patient’s caregivers. Important information individuals should ask their pharmacist includes the name of the medication, what it is supposed to do, how to take or use the medication, what to do if a dose is missed, and what activities, foods, or other medications to avoid while taking the medication.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Girl Scouts Doing Good Things

DERBY – Girl Scout Troops 38392 and 38325, of Milford, helped make visits to the Griffin Hospital Emergency Department a little more comforting with a donation of books, magazines and toys.

Griffin recently started collecting items and activities, such as paperback books, crossword puzzles, toys and playing cards, to help patients, especially children, feel more comfortable during their stay in the Emergency Department.

Maggie Cole, a patient safety monitor at Griffin and leader for Girl Scout Troops 38392 and 38325, heard about the need and organized collections that included area troops as well.

The Scouts delivered several bags of children’s books, magazines and toys to the Emergency Department recently.

“We are very grateful to Maggie and all the scouts for this donation,” said ER Nurse Susan Rupar. “We plan to have a cart with books and items to help patients pass the time as they wait for test results or for treatment.”

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Griffin Seeking Volunteers

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is looking for volunteers to help provide patients and caregivers peace of mind about future healthcare decisions.

 

The hospital’s new Advance Care Planning Volunteer Program will train individuals to help guide others in developing a plan for their care in the event they are unable to speak for themselves. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of understanding, reflecting on, and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values in order to determine one's healthcare wishes and assign a healthcare representative to make decisions on his or her behalf.

 

The program includes an online learning component and interactive classes.

 

For more information or to register, call Lynn Aiksnoras at 203-732-1255 or email at laiksnoras@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital) 

Griffin Hospital Nurses Name Physician of the Year

 

 

DERBY - Podiatrist Luke Jeffries, DPM, of Seymour, was recently honored as Physician of the Year at Griffin Hospital’s 32nd Annual Nurses Week luncheon.

 

The Physician of the Year Award is based on voting by the hospital’s Nursing staff. In nominating Dr. Jeffries, nurses said he is a great patient advocate and is passionate about the care he provides, which makes patients feel confident and supported.

 

“He is a very calm, quiet and unassuming person, and is always that way with his patients and staff,” said Griffin Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Frederick Browne, MD, during the award presentation. “He is a strategic thinker and genuine. He takes time to address any questions or concerns with his

patients, and is responsive to the Nursing staff and all fellow caregivers. He is truly committed to Griffin.”

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Volunteers Needed

DERBY - The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is looking for volunteers to provide additional support for elderly patients.

 

HELP is designed to offer special services to older adults while hospitalized at Griffin Hospital. Between 30 and 50 percent of seniors can experience a decline in their physical and cognitive abilities during a hospital stay.

 

HELP is a comprehensive, evidence based, patient-care program that provides various volunteer interventions such as meal time assistance, friendly visits, activities, walking and exercise to help patients maintain their optional level of functioning. HELP team members work in partnership with the doctors and nursing staff to highlight issues specific to geriatric care and to provide education to patients and their families.

 

Training and supervision will be provided. No previous medical experience is required. Volunteers have a choice of working various weekday shifts between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Scholarship incentives are also available for eligible college students.

 

The next HELP training is scheduled to begin in the spring. To learn more about this exciting program or to become a HELP volunteer, please call Laura Murphy at 203-732-7466.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Urgent Care Coming to Derby

DERBY - MedExpress Urgent Care, a neighborhood health care provider, will open its first two neighborhood medical centers in Connecticut this summer.

The centers, in Derby at 68 Division St. and Meriden at 875 E. Main St., will open on July 5 and August 9, respectively. As a gift to each community, both locations will offer free sports physicals for patients ages five and up for two weeks after the centers open.

The new neighborhood medical centers will care for people of all ages, providing urgent care, employer health services, and basic wellness and prevention services. Walk-in treatment is available for everyday illness and injury, including more advanced offerings such as X-rays, IVs, labs, minor surgery, stitches, and treatment for broken bones, sprains, and strains. Local employers can use MedExpress for employer health services including workers’ compensation, injury care, pre- and ongoing employment screenings, physicals, and regulatory exams. Basic wellness and prevention services offered at MedExpress include sports physicals, routine physicals, and immunizations to help Derby and Meriden residents maintain good health.

“We are delighted to join the communities of Derby and Meriden to provide friendly, high-quality, and convenient care to families and employees,” said Sarah Moses, MedExpress Area Manager in Connecticut. “We know how busy our patients’ lives are and that unexpected illnesses and injuries can be an inconvenience for families. We look forward to bringing our model of care to Connecticut so that our neighbors in Derby and Meriden can walk in, see our friendly medical team, and receive high-quality treatment in a timely fashion.”

The centers will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no appointment necessary. MedExpress accepts all major insurances and offers affordable pricing for those without insurance. The center will be staffed by a full medical team, which includes customer service representatives, nurses, medical providers, and radiologic technologists. As a community health care partner, MedExpress believes strongly in the importance of working with fellow community health care providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. When necessary, the Derby and Meriden teams can help refer patients within the broader health care system, including referrals to specialists, primary care physicians, and hospitals.

For a full list of centers and health care services available, visit medexpress.com.

MedExpress has more than 200 neighborhood medical centers in 17 states, with plans to bring the same warm, welcoming approach to more communities in Connecticut this year, including the opening of a new center in Middletown this winter.

About MedExpress
MedExpress is a national leader in delivering high-quality, convenient and affordable walk-in care. We offer urgent care, employer health services and basic wellness and prevention services to help ensure families and employers have access to patient-centric care when they need it. Each of our nearly 5,000 health care and customer service professionals is committed to transforming health care delivery – one patient at a time. For career opportunities or to learn more, visit www.medexpress.com or connect with MedExpress on Facebook and Twitter @MedExpress and @MedExpressJobs.

(This is a press release from MedExpress)

Healing Workshop Offered at Griffin Hospital

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a basic level Soft Touch workshop June 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing, and gentle massage that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers variations of this therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain, and stress.

 

The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

 

The cost is $30. There are no prerequisites to attend the workshop and it is open to the public.Space is limited and sign-ups are due by June 1. Contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services supervisor, at 203-732-7466 to enroll.

 
(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

New Members Appointed to Griffin Hospital Patient Family Advisory Council

DERBY - The newest members of the Griffin Hospital’s Patient Family Advisory Council recently started the 2017 schedule, helping the Derby hospital continue it patient-centered care philosophy.

 

The newly appointed Council members include Horace Behrle and Fran DiGiorgi, both of Ansonia, David Erhardt, of Derby, Kenneth Hawkins, of Milford, Nicole Levine, of Oxford, and Edward Paradis, of Beacon Falls.

 

As either former patients themselves or family members of patients, the 17-member Council is charged with providing real-time feedback and insight to help enhance hospital services and programs.

 

The Council partners with the hospital to maintain its patient-center care focus. Members learn about various hospital programs and services, receive updates on performance measurements, such as patient experience, safety, financial and facilities improvements, and provide input and options on new programs and services under consideration.

 

The Council meets once a month and members commit to a two-year term. The new members join current members, including Donna Bak, of Woodbury, Nadine Civitella, of Ansonia, James Healy, of Seymour, Natasha Koonce-Webster, of Hamden, Jamie Mastrony, of Shelton, Robert Newton, of Seymour, Janet Onidi, of Shelton, Alfred Pettit, of Ansonia, Joseph Skrabl, of Ansonia, Rita St. Jacques, of Ansonia, and Susan Wisneski, of Beacon Falls.

 

The Patient Family Advisory Council is just one of many ways individuals in the community can serve in contributing to the hospital’s mission of providing personalized, humanistic, consumer driven healthcare in a healing environment. Griffin Hospital is always looking for volunteers to assist the hospital in providing exceptional, patient-centered care.

 

For more information about the Griffin Hospital, the Patient Family Advisory Council and volunteer opportunities call 203-732-7421 or visit griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Smile Dental Center Opens State-of-the-Art Facility in Shelton

Dr. Bruce Sofferman
 

SHELTON -  Smile Dental Center celebrated the grand opening of its new, state-of-the art facility at 1000 Bridgeport Ave, First Floor, in Shelton, on Thursday (April 27), with a reception drawing hundreds of people who were treated to food, drinks and a grand tour of the new space.

 

“Our new office is more spacious, contemporary, with state-of-the-art dental equipment and design and overall more comfortable for our patients” said Dr. Bruce Sofferman, Smile Dental Center Founder and Dentist. ”My team and I pride ourselves in providing the latest technology for our patients.To celebrate our new location Grand Opening, we invite our patients, friends, neighbors and colleagues to stop by at our practice, meet our team and familiarize yourselves with our new facility.”

 

For over 30 years, the team at Smile Dental Center have been working to enhance the overall health of the local community one patient at a time, and they always welcome new patients.With the new expansion of the dental practice, appointments will become more flexible for patients, allowing dental emergencies to be taken care of in a more efficient manner.

 

Dr. Bruce Sofferman, Dr. John Crocamo, Dr. Rebecca D’Andrea and their team are committed to improving the overall patient experience, hence, relocating to 1000 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. This centralized location allows easy access for all patients to park – with parking spaces reserved exclusively for Smile Dental Center.  Everything was carefully done thinking about the patients’ convenience as priority. Smile Dental Center is committed to Shelton and the Greater Valley and to working together with those in the surrounding Greater Valley Community.

Association commends leadership of Griffin Hospital in Derby

WALLINGFORD  – Connecticut hospitals put patient safety above all else.  We should never harm patients, and we never come to work intending to harm patients.  We are concerned about the patients who were impacted by this situation.

Griffin Hospital in Derby today warned patients about possible insulin pen contamination. 

Eighteen months ago, Connecticut hospitals started training their hospital staff in the principles of high reliability.

 High reliability is a safety methodology used in many complex organizations around the world to reduce the risk of preventable harm.  

One of the key elements of high reliability is the institution of a daily safety huddle, during which time staff are encouraged to discuss concerns and issues.

Through its high reliability work, a Griffin Hospital staff member raised the concern about insulin pen use at a hospital safety huddle.

The climate we are trying to achieve is one in which staff are empowered to raise concerns proactively about practices that may cause risk to patients.  

Another element of highly reliable organizations is the concept of transparency, in which we talk openly about mistakes that are made, fix them promptly, and take action to ensure they don’t happen again.

We commend Griffin Hospital’s leadership for taking full responsibility and affirmative steps to address the issue.

While we understand the risk of exposure to be very small, we encourage those contacted to follow the guidance to get tested to put their minds at ease.

 About CHA
The Connecticut Hospital Association has been dedicated to serving Connecticut’s hospitals since 1919.  

Through state and federal advocacy, CHA represents the interests of Connecticut’s hospitals on key healthcare issues in the areas of quality and patient safety, access and coverage, workforce, community health, diversity, and hospital reimbursement.

 This is a press release from the Connecticut Hospital Association.

 

Griffin offers cyber-greetings to cheer patients

DERBY – As hospitals across the state request visitors with flu-like symptoms to stay home and winter weather makes it difficult to travel, Griffin Hospital makes it possible for loved ones to send some cheer to a patient without setting foot in the hospital.

“Griffin Greetings” enables individuals to send a message to a patient via the hospital website, griffinhealth.org.
There are several card options, including baby congratulations, get well soon and birthday wishes.

The card is printed at the hospital and delivered to the patient’s room. Unlike other hospital e-card systems, the card will be delivered to the patient’s address if he or she is discharged before the delivery.
To send a Griffin Greeting, visit griffinhealth.org and click on the “Patient Greetings” link on the left-hand side of the home page.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.