Rxtra 2 6 for web

RxTraA publication for the staff of Hartford Hospital February 6, 2012 Vol. 68 No. 4

Hartford HealthCare and Backus Seek AffiliationHartford HealthCare and Backus Corporation and have jointly en-tered into a non-binding Letter of Intent to affiliate.

If the affiliation is approved, Backus, based in Norwich, would become a Hartford HealthCare partner like Hartford Hospital, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, MidState Medical Center, Natchaug Hospital, Windham Hospital and other HHC member organizations.

In today’s challenging health care environment, health care organiza-tions are more likely to thrive when they create formal partnerships to work together. Last year, 232 hos-pitals in the United States formed affiliations.

Backus had been reviewing oppor-tunities for strategic alignment for more than a year, researched sev-eral proposals in depth, and voted to explore a formal integration with HHC.

“Backus, which has a legacy of high-quality patient care, very thoughtfully selected Hartford HealthCare as a potential part-ner,” said Elliot Joseph, president and CEO of Hartford Health-Care. “This illustrates that we are on the right track as the region’s leading integrated health care sys-tem. Together, we can do great work for those who need us most, espe-cially the underserved in eastern Connecticut.”

The Backus Health System includes The William W. Backus Hospital; a home health care agency; primary care and walk-in urgent care cen-ters in Ledyard, Plainfield, Montville

and Colchester; Backus Physician Services, a multi-specialty surgi-cal group; and Community Medical Partners, a medical foundation.

Backus Hospital is the primary source of health services for near-ly a quarter-million people. Since its founding in 1893, Backus has pro-

vided services and formed strategic alliances with other health care or-ganizations to meet the health care needs of the region.

If Backus does join Hartford Health-Care, its 213 beds would make it the third largest hospital in the net-work, after the 867-bed Hartford Hospital and New Britain’s 446-bed Hospital of Central Connecticut.

Backus is a Comprehensive Com-munity Hospital Cancer Center, a Primary Stroke Center, and is the only trauma center east of the Con-necticut River. It is the only region-al facility that has a hangar for LIFE STAR, Hartford Hospital’s air medi-cal transport helicopter.

The Letter of Intent begins a multi-step process expected to take several months. HHC and Backus will conduct focus groups

with community members, volun-teers, staff members, physicians, corporators, volunteers and others to determine if the affiliation would be in everyone’s best interest.

If HHC and Backus decide to move forward, we will work togeth-er to write a Memorandum of Un-derstanding and then a Definitive Agreement, which must be ap-proved by both boards of directors and state and federal agencies.

The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich.

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Hartford HealthCare Offers New Primary Care Structure Called HHC Primary Care Network

David Fichandler, director of rehabilitative services, has been named to the newly created position of director of Pa-tient Experience. Fichandler will use H3W tools and prin-ciples to examine and improve all aspects of the patient

encounter. He will take the lead in coordinating security, Communica-tion Center, Patient Relations, Hudson Suites, valet parking and all of the de-partments and programs that affect patient perceptions.

As coleader of Team EXCEED, the 2011 Team of the Year, Fichandler has been deeply involved in the development of many patient experience enhance-ments, including hourly rounding, de-velopment of the new employee ID badge, patient white boards, “Making

a Difference” training, and revised professional image policy.

Fichandler joined Eastern Rehabilitation Network and Hart-ford Hospital in June of 2008.

Fichandler Named To Newly Created Position: Director of Patient Experience

Hartford HealthCare is renowned for the exceptional complex care provided by its member organizations. We also provide great primary care across Con-necticut, but we’ve been doing it under a number of different names: Doctors of Central Con-necticut, Hartford Medical Group, MidState Medical Group, MediQuick centers, Med-East centers and Senior Health Services.

We have now brought them all together in a new primary care struc-ture called Hartford HealthCare Prima-ry Care Network.

Starting today, we will begin running TV ads, as well as print and radio ads, for the Hartford HealthCare Primary Care Network.

These ads will feature real patients and doctors. You can view one of our TV ads on the Hartford HealthCare website

at http://hartfordhealthcare.org/HHCPCN-Videos.php

We’re also launching a new website at www.hhcprimarycare.org.

Hartford HealthCare Primary Care Net-work includes physicians and other cli-nicians whom you already know and trust from these six widely-respected practices.

With more than 100 extraordinary pro-viders across five counties, we have a lot of Connecticut covered. Many of our great locations offer extended evening and weekend hours for added conve-nience. All of these sites provide coordi-

nated access to Hartford HealthCare institutions.

We encour-age you to watch for our new ads. And if you, your fami-ly members or friends are looking for prima-ry or urgent care, keep the Hartford HealthCare Primary Care Network and

our private practice primary care phy-sicians in mind.

They’re all Hartford HealthCare clini-cians, close to home.

The first winners have been announced in the new cash raffle for car-poolers, vanpoolers, and those who take buses or bikes to work.

One winner was chosen for each week in January from those who carpooled, and one winner for the month was chosen from the oth-er entries. Each winner re-ceived a cash prize of $100.

Winners are:Dana Bow Chris HarveyMarie KuchyIrene NadziejaAngela Pinnock Wilson

In addition, one lucky per-son was chosen to receive an assigned priority park-ing space in the new ga-rage for a year when it is complete. That winner was Carla Burgess.

First Winners Announced in Carpool Cash Raffle; Five Receive $100 Each

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Three Hartford Hospital staff mem-bers were recognized as “Health Care Heroes” for 2011 by the Hartford Busi-ness Journal.

Dr. Lenworth Jacobs, director of trauma and emergency medicine; Dr. Evan Fox, psychiatrist; and Christine Waszynski, APRN, geriatrics, were among 19 peo-ple nominated for being “outstanding achievers in the health care field.”

Dr. Jacobs was chosen as one of the eight winners, representing the physi-cian category.

After joining Hartford Hospital in 1983, Dr. Jacobs was instrumental in

establishing LIFE STAR, Con-necticut’s only critical care helicopter service. He also turned the emergency room into a Level 1 trauma center.

“Len has made enormous contributions both here and around the world,” said Jef-frey A. Flaks, Hartford Hospital president and CEO. “He has a profound commitment to car-ing for the underserved and training future physicians. We’re really blessed to have him in this community.”

The three were recognized at a luncheon at the Connecticut Conven-tion Center.

5,000th Robotic Surgery Performed at HH

Jeffrey A. Flaks, Hartford Hospital president and CEO, con-gratulates Dr. Len Jacobs, Christine Waszynski and Dr. Evan Fox for being recognized as Health Care Heroes.

Hartford Hospital Hails Three Health Care Heroes

Pioneer robotic surgeon Dr. Joseph “Peppie” Wagner performed Hartford Hospital’s 5,000th robotic surgery Feb-ruary 2.

Dr. Wagner brought robotic surgery to Hartford Hospital in 2003, making us the first hospital in Connecticut to bring the da Vinci Surgical System into the operating room.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years,” said Dr. Wagner. “I was in Ger-many for the world’s first robotic sur-gery, and saw the first procedure in the U.S. in Detroit. There have been a lot of

changes in ro-botic surgery over the past 12 years. But now 80-90 per-cent of pros-t a t e c t o m i e s in the U.S. are done with the robot. It has become the standard of care.”

The patient, Daniel Clock from Litch-field, is recov-ering well.

Clark said he believes in screening and hopes his story shares a message of prevention, reminding peo-ple that early detection is key. His PSA levels were slightly elevated and his physician suggested a biopsy which re-vealed he had prostate cancer. It was diagnosed at an early stage— and Clark opted to have the robotic procedure to remove his prostate.

“I’m in good hands. I have a lot of confi-dence in Dr. Wagner,” said Clark. “I have a lot of friends who have been to him. If you’re going to have something done, you’ve got to go to the best.”

Robotic and minimally invasive surgery have transformed many procedures like prostatectomies, offering patients

a faster recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and lower risk of complications.

Hartford Hospital is among the top 10 robotic surgery centers in the coun-try and is the largest in New England. Since the program began in 2003, it has grown an average of 33 percent annu-ally. Hartford Hospital physicians now perform more than 1,000 robotic cases each year.

The hospital has seven da Vinci robots. Physicians at Hartford Hospital use ro-botics for gynecological procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy and pelvic organ prolapse; prostatec-tomies and other urologic procedures; and cardiac procedures.

Tuesday’s Cardiology Grand Rounds: Health Care Cost Crisis “The Future of The American Health Care System: Addressing the Cost Cri-sis” is the topic of Cardiology Grand Rounds Tuesday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m., JB-118. Presenter is Thomas R. Barker, Esq., a partner in the Government Strategies, Health Care and Life Sciences in the law firm of Foley Hoag, LLP. For more infor-mation contact Sharon Ballot, 860-545-1793, or [email protected].

Auxiliary Store This Week: Feb. 9 - Jewelry By Kathleen Designs By Kathleen Schlentz will be at The Auxiliary Store on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kathleen features her exclusive, handcrafted jewelry de-signs using sterling silver, semi-pre-cious and polished stones. There will also be an assortment of beaded and sterling silver wire-wrapped jewelry.

Feb. 10 - The Apple LadyThe Apple Lady re-turns to the Auxiliary Store Friday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or un-til she runs out. Deca-dent gour-met apples are available

in many flavors. Samples will be avail-able for tasting while they last!

Info Session for M.A. In Integrative MedicineCome learn about the Graduate Insti-tute’s M.A. degree in Integrative Health and Healing. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m., Spe-cial Dining Room. www.learn.edu.

Loan Forgiveness for RNs: Deadline is Feb. 15Eligible registered nurses may apply for the 2012 Nursing Education Loan Re-payment Program, a federally funded program that offers RNs substantial as-sistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in critical shortage facilities like Hartford Hospital. Dead-line for applications is Feb. 15. Go to www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repay-ment/nursing for more information or call Nancy Bafundo at 860-545-2558.

Your Computer May Need UpgradingIn order to keep our computer systems secured and avoid vulnerabilities with the Windows XP operating system, Infor-mation Technology Services (ITS) needs to perform an upgrade. If your comput-er needs upgrading, you may see a ZEN delivered icon named XP SP3 Upgrade • Please double-click the icon at the end of your shift (takes 1-3 hours to complete)• Leave computer on, do not logoff• You can lock the workstation for securi-ty purposes by pressing CRTL+ALT+Del, and then clicking on the Lock Worksta-tion button• The computer will prompt for a restart at the end of the installation (you can do this when you return to work.)If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Support Center at 5-5699.

Weight Watchers At Work Info Session Feb. 15There will be an in-formational meet-ing on Wednes-day, Feb. 15 for the Weight Watchers at Work program. Drop in between 12 noon and 1 p.m. in Dining Room C in the Cafe-teria. A minimum of 20 people is needed for the WW program to be offered here.

ClassifiedVacation Rentals - June, July, August

Narraganset, Rhode Island5-6 bedroom homes, fully outfitted;

walking distance to Scarborough Beach. Wifi, cable TV, park & tennis

courts. Attractively priced. Please call Richard, 860-922-3368

Commuting From New Haven? Take The Van!There are seats available on the Easy Street van from New Haven to Hudson St., Hartford. The van leaves from the Merritt Parkway tunnel in New Haven and arrives at the State building at 505 Hudson Street at 7:45 a.m. Join full- or part-time. Save money, gas, and stress, and don’t worry about parking! For de-tails, please call Meg at 860-200-8104.

Ash Wednesday Services Wednesday, Feb. 22At Hartford Hospital: In the Multifaith Chapel 8:30 a.m., 12 Noon, 3:45 p.m., 7 p.m.In Newington: Curtiss Building, Seminar 1 (1st floor) 10 a.m.

Happening at Hartford Hospital

Compliance Questions or

Concerns?

If you need to obtain information about compliance issues or raise concerns regarding internal and regulatory practices or policies,

please contact your supervisor or call the ComplianceLine, a

confidential and toll-free service, at

1-855-HHC-OCAP

or online at

HHC.OCAPComplianceLine.com