Doc 4 a Day career exploration program offered

Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) is excited to host Doc 4 a Day, a career exploration program designed to ignite an interest in high school students to consider and explore a career as a physician on Monday, December 8, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Franklin Memorial Hospital.   

 

Area high school students who have strengths in math and science and an interest in pursuing a career as a physician are encouraged to apply.  Participants will have an opportunity to experience hands-on clinical activities in the Simulation Lab, participate in a round table discussion with current medical students and residents, and learn how to navigate the barriers between high school and medical school. FMH hosted this program last year, with great success. 

 

This is a FREE program (including lunch). Students are only responsible for transportation to and from Franklin Memorial Hospital.  There is limited space available for Doc 4 a Day. The registration deadline is December 1.

 

If you would like more information about the program or to register a student for the program, please contact Lorri Brown, AHEC Director at Franklin Memorial Hospital, at ljbrown@fchn.org or 779-2233.

 FMH Occupational Health Service Provides New Service

Now perform DOT physicals for commercial drivers

 

FARMINGTON, MAINE¾

 

Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Occupational Health Department has providers who are certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and available for DOT examinations on the Franklin Memorial Hospital campus.

 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new rule, effective May 21 that requires health care professionals who perform Commercial Drivers License (CDL) physicals to be specially trained and tested to become certified medical examiners. FMH occupational health staff members Michael Rowland, MD, and Joseph Conrad, PA-C, are both certified examiners and listed on the FMCSA registry.

 

The intention of the new rule is to promote safety on American highways.

 

Medical examiners must receive training every five years and pass a recertification test every 10 years to stay on the National Registry. The objective of the National Registry is to ensure certified medical examiners fully understand the medical standards in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and how they apply to each driver. The National Registry enables a quick way to determine availability and location of certified examiners.

 

Occupational Health staff can be reached at (207) 779-2367 to answer questions regarding physical standards and drug testing, and to make appointments.

 

 

Governor LePage Recognizes Maine Army National Guard for “Excellence in Facilities Programs”

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, (207) 287-2531
Captain Norman J. Stickney, Public Affairs Officer, Maine National Guard, (207) 430-5759

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is commending state and federal employees from the Maine Army National Guard for being named the best installation management program in the United States. Recognizing Maine’s achievement of environmental quality, fiscal management and installation readiness, the National Guard Bureau announced the prestigious Fred Aron Award for Excellence in Facilities Programs.

"The Maine Army National Guard has always exemplified excellence in its quality of work, and this award is an acknowledgement that Maine is the best compared to other states and territories,” said Governor LePage. “The importance of fiscal stewardship is critical, and the MEARNG has demonstrated there are always way to improve programs by managing resources better. More importantly, this can be done without losing quality of service. All of the men and women of the Maine Army National Guard should be proud of their efforts. I congratulate and thank each of you for your service.”

The Directorate of Facilities Engineering was awarded the Fred Aron Award, which rates the performance of the 54 states and territories in eight areas including financial management, energy conservation and security.

“This is an unprecedented accomplishment for a state to win back-to-back awards. I am very proud of your hard work and well-deserved recognition by senior leaders at the national level,” said Brig. Gen. James D. Campbell, Adjutant General.

The Directorate of Facilities Engineering also received the Environmental Award for Installations, Environmental Quality, Non-Industrial, for focusing on how to save taxpayer dollars while protecting and preserving Maine’s pristine environment.

“This is not just an award for any one individual,” said Lt. Col. Greg Leimbach, the resource manager for the Directorate of Facilities Engineering. “This goes to show how the directorate functions together like a team. This award not only shows the effectiveness of the relationships we have built, but also the quality of our work.”

Whether they are trying to protect endangered specials, protect forestlands, improve wastewater treatment, prevent damage to historic sites or improve water usage, the Maine National Guard has found innovative and cost-effective mechanisms that support their efforts in these environmental programs.

"Not only are these back-to-back awards, but it is highly unusual for a state to receive two awards of this caliber in the same year," said Governor LePage. "It is an exciting accomplishment for Maine."

During the ceremony, the Governor presented each employee with an U.S. flag pin in the shape of Maine as a token of his gratitude of the hard-working men and women who serve the taxpayers of Maine.

The event was held in the Cabinet Room and attended by several senior staff members of the Maine Army National Guard and state employees from the Directorate of Facilities Engineering from Camp Keyes in Augusta.

Cutline: (MEARNG-DFE-001) Governor Paul LePage takes a moment to address the state and federal employees of the Maine Army National Guard, Directorate of Facilities Engineering, during a recognition ceremony at the state capital on Friday, Nov. 14. (National Guard photo by Capt. Norman J. Stickney)

Cutline: (MEARNG-DFE-002) Governor Paul LePage provides a moment of levity while recognizing the hard work of and fiscal stewardship of Maine Army National Guard employees at a ceremony at the state capital on Friday, Nov. 14. (National Guard photo by Capt. Norman J. Stickney)

Cutline: (MEARNG-DFE-003) The state and federal employees of the Maine Army National Guard, Directorate of Facilities Engineering, assembled at the state capital for recognition of recent national achievements in the areas of installation readiness and environmental quality on Friday, Nov. 14. (National Guard photo by Capt. Norman J. Stickney)

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Franklin Memorial Hospital Earns “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures^®” Recognition from The Joint Commission

 

Hospital is one of 712 hospitals recognized for two consecutive years

 

FARMINGTON, MAINE –

 

Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) today announced it has been recognized as a 2013 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures^® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States. Franklin Memorial Hospital was recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2014 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for pneumonia and surgical care. FMH is one of 1,224 hospitals in the United States to achieve the 2013 Top Performer distinction.

 

The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, children’s asthma, and stroke, as well as for inpatient psychiatric services, surgical care, and immunizations.

 

This is the second consecutive year FMH has been recognized as a Top Performer, having been recognized in 2013 for performance on accountability measure data for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, pneumonia, outpatient services, and the surgical care improvement project.

 

Franklin Memorial Hospital is one of only of 712 hospitals to achieve the Top Performer distinction for the past two consecutive years.

 

“We understand that what matters most to patients at Franklin Memorial Hospital is the quality and safety of the care they receive. That is why we have made it a top priority to improve positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes,” said Rebecca Arsenault, FMH president/CEO. “Franklin Memorial Hospital is proud to be named a Top Performer as it recognizes the knowledge, teamwork and dedication of our entire hospital staff.”

 

To be a 2013 Top Performer, hospitals had to meet three performance criteria based on 2013 accountability measure data, including:

·         Achieving cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures;

·         Achieving performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measure where there were at least 30 denominator cases; and

·         Having at least one core measure set that had a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and (within that measure set) all applicable individual accountability measures had a performance rate of 95 percent or above.

 

“Delivering the right treatment in the right way at the right time is a cornerstone of high-quality health care. I commend the efforts of Franklin Memorial Hospital for their excellent performance on the use of evidence-based interventions,” said Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and CEO, The Joint Commission.

 

For more information about the Top Performer program, visit http://www.jointcommission.org/accreditation/top_performers.aspx.

 

About Franklin Memorial Hospital

Franklin Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of Franklin Community Health Network, is a progressive 70-bed, not-for-profit community hospital located in Farmington, Maine whose mission is to provide high quality, cost-effective, patient- and family-centered health care. The hospital actively works with the community and with other health care providers integrating services to ensure the optimum health of people within its service area. Franklin Memorial Hospital is a member of the MaineHealth system.

 

 Arsenault Receives Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award

Presented at the Northern New England Association’s annual meeting in Portland

 

FARMINGTON, MAINE¾

 

Rebecca Arsenault, president/CEO of Franklin Community Health Network (FCHN) and Franklin Memorial Hospital, is the recipient of the prestigious 2014 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award presented on November 7 at the Northern New England Association’s annual meeting in Portland, Maine.

 

The Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award recognizes ACHE members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare management excellence and the achievement of the ACHE’s goals.

 

Members are evaluated on their leadership ability; innovative and creative management; executive capability in developing their own organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community; contributions to the development of others in the healthcare profession; and leadership in local, state, and health association activities.

 

Arsenault received her master’s degree in community health nursing from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Maine. Her healthcare career began as a practicing nurse and led to advancements in hospital administrative roles spanning more than 30 years in several well-known health care systems across the country including: Intermountain Health Care in Utah, Providence Health Services in Washington, and Universal Health Services in Texas.

 

Arsenault has been at FCHN since January 2009. During this time both the hospital and network have been the recipients of numerous national awards for innovation, high quality care, and partnering with the community and other local organizations to improve health. Most recently, her hospital was named as a most-wired hospital for the fourth consecutive year.

 

Arsenault is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is currently a doctoral candidate in the healthcare administrative program at Capella University. In June, she was installed as chair of the Maine Hospital Association Board. As chair, her primary duties are leading the governance process of the association.

 

In 2013, the American Hospital Association, in partnership with the Maine Hospital Association, awarded Arsenault with the Grassroots Champion Award for her exceptional leadership in healthcare advocacy at the national level.

 

 

Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center Achieves New Certification

Certification reflects the staff’s dedication to providing patients with the highest quality breast care possible

FARMINGTON, MAINE¾

 

National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) is proud to recognize the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center as a Certified Quality Breast Center in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program™. This distinguished honor represents a commitment by this breast center to provide the highest level of quality breast health care to patients in its community.

 

This quality program measures the performance of more than 33 National Quality Indicators™ of data, such as timeliness of care from screening mammograms to diagnostic mammograms, surgical timeliness of care from time between needle biopsy and initial breast surgery, and pathology report completeness, among others.

 

“Measuring and comparing quality performance is essential in assessing patient care. A breast center’s staff must not only be familiar with existing standards of care, but also be aware of new advances in technology,” said Dr. Eric Gunther, surgeon and lead physician at the Martha B. Breast Care Center. “Franklin Memorial Hospital and the dedicated staff at the breast center have taken a major step to ensure they provide the best possible quality care to breast patients in our community.”

 

According to the NCBC, the management of breast diseases requires the interaction of multiple specialists in multiple departments. These include, but are not limited to surgery, medical oncology, radiology, pathology, physical therapy, and nursing. The idea of a breast center is to organize these services into a coordinated, integrated approach for the benefit of the patient.

 

The Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center offers timely access to state-of-the-art screening, diagnostic, and definitive surgical care. A comprehensive line of support services is offered that include: digital mammography, breast ultrasound, physical therapy including lymphedema treatment, post-operative care support, wig and prosthesis referrals, and dexa bone density scans.

 

The Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center is a program of Franklin Memorial Hospital with two convenient locations: in Farmington at the Franklin Health Medical Arts Center and in Livermore Falls at the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center. For mammography appointments at either location call 779-2375.

 

New Federal Injury Recordkeeping Rule to Affect Maine Employers on Jan. 1, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2014 MEDIA CONTACT:  Julie Rabinowitz, Department of Labor, 207-621-5009; cell: 557-1483 Maine Department of Labor offering courses to help businesses stay up-to-date AUGUSTAundefinedThe Maine Department of Labor has scheduled additional trainings to help employers comply with changes to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) injury recordkeeping requirements. “Our Administration continues to be proactive in helping employers comply with the law,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “The department’s SafetyWorks! program provides services and training sessions at no charge to our businesses in the areas of workplace safety and health. These recordkeeping courses will help employers stay on top of the new federal rules.” Several changes in federal OSHA rules will take effect Jan. 1, 2015; some changes affect all private-sector employers while other changes affect certain industries. OSHA has provided details about the rules changes at https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=26673 . To educate employers, the department’s SafetyWorks! program has scheduled three additional, no-charge classes on OSHA recordkeeping: Nov. 17, Dec. 8 and Dec. 16.  All three classes run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The classes on Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 will be held in Augusta at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute. The class on Dec. 16 will be held at the City of Westbrook’s public safety building. Employers interested in registering can learn more and register at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com or call 207-623-7900 to enroll. Space is limited so reservations are required. In addition to the classes, SafetyWorks! may be able to provide your organization or business with a one-hour overview on these updates. Contact 207-623-7903 for more information. There are three major changes. First, new rules for reporting catastrophic events are applicable to all private-sector worksites.  Specific rules on reporting fatalities, amputations and in-patient hospitalizations will go into effect January 1. An OSHA fact sheet detailing how to report catastrophic events is available at https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/OSHA3745.pdf . Second, OSHA has changed the list of businesses required to follow the OSHA recordkeeping rules and maintain the OSHA recordkeeping forms (the 300, the 300A and the 301 forms).  New and used car dealers with 11 or more employees (NAICS codes 441110 and 441120) are the largest group of employers affected by this change, with about 4,000 employees in Maine covered by the revised recordkeeping rules. Third, some businesses have been newly exempted from OSHA recordkeeping rules.  Among these are combination gasoline stations and convenience stores (NAICS 447110), all publishers (NAICS 5111) and all corporate sales and headquarters offices (NAICS 551114). A complete list of private-sector businesses ordinarily exempt from recordkeeping is available at https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/OSHA3746.pdf . SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.com The Bureau of Labor Standards is Maine’s regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law and workplace safety; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine’s workforce.

 

FRANKLIN COUNTY HONORED FOR IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF MAINE’S YOUTH  

 Let’s Go! Recognizes 8 Child Centric Sites as Sites of Distinction

 

Farmington, Maine (November 7, 2014) – Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 and the Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County (HCC) announced today that two after school programs, two childcare centers, and four health care practices in Franklin County are being honored for their commitment to excellence in healthy eating and active living for children and families. A total of 24 sites in Greater Franklin County are prioritizing children’s health in collaboration with the Let’s Go! program.

 

Established in 2012, the Let’s Go! Site of Distinction certificate recognizes schools, out of school programs, childcare centers and health care practices for their dedication to creating healthy environments and policies where kids live, learn and play. A total of 368 sites statewide earned this distinction, a 28 percent increase from last year. Let’s Go! encourages policy change and recognizes three levels of change: Bronze reflects a site implementing the program’s top five strategies, Silver acknowledges a site that has written at least one strategy into policy and Gold, the highest level of distinction, is reserved for sites that have written all five priority strategies into policy and enforce the written policy.

 

“We are thrilled to honor sites across the state for their dedication to children’s health. All recipients have embraced Let’s Go!’s five priority strategies and many have written these strategies into policy” said Dr. Victoria Rogers, Director of Let’s Go!. “It’s efforts like these that truly impact children’s health and obesity rates.”

 

Let’s Go!’s top five strategies are: 1) Provide healthy choices for snacks and celebrations; limit unhealthy choices; 2) Provide water and low fat milk; limit or eliminate sugary beverages; 3) Provide non-food rewards; 4) Provide opportunities for children to get physical activity every day; and 5) Limit recreational screen time.

 

Health care sites are recognized for three practice specific, obesity prevention program components: 1) Providing consistent 5-2-1-0 messaging in offices; 2) Calculating BMI for all patients aged 2 and older; and 3) Using the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Habits questionnaire to have a respectful conversation about lifestyles with their patients.

 

HCC’s Let’s Go! Program Coordinator Molly Clark said, “I am continually inspired by the enthusiasm and grassroots efforts that are already happening to support healthy kids in our community. There are wonderful success stories as well as opportunities to do even more. As word travels and Let’s Go! efforts expand, I look forward to honoring many more sites in the coming years.”

 

Programs honored this year include child care sites Jeannie’s Jungle in Jay (Gold) and Tamarack Tree House in Wilton (Bronze) along with Rangeley Fitness Center after school program (Bronze), Stratton School after school program (Bronze), Franklin Health Pediatrics in Farmington, Livermore Falls Family Practice, Mt. Abram Health Center in Kingfield and Strong Area Health Center.

 

Dr. Andrew Lackoff Joins Franklin Memorial Hospitalist Program

Farmington¾

 

Andrew Lackoff, MD, has joined the medical staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital. Dr. Lackoff assumed his new position in November, joining Dr. Peter Cordner, Dr. David Hyde, Dr. Larry Labul, Dr. Todd Miller, and physician assistant Tim Davis in staffing the Franklin Memorial Hospital hospitalist service.

 

Hospitalists are specially trained physicians and physician assistants who care for patients during a hospital stay from admission through discharge.

 

Dr. Lackoff most recently was a hospitalist at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Prior to that, he was an emergency physician at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor.

 

Dr. Lackoff received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. He then completed a four-year residency at Maine Medical Center/Mercy Hospital Family Practice Residency Program. He is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.

 

Dr. Lackoff and his wife Lynn are the parents of two adult children. Dr. Lackoff is an outdoor recreational enthusiast who enjoys kayaking, skiing, hiking, and gardening. He is also an active musician.

 Franklin Community Health Network Launches Ebola Webpage

Page includes educational slideshow developed by the Franklin Memorial Hospital Education Department

FARMINGTON¾

 

Franklin Community Health Network has launched a new page on its website about the Ebola virus. The new webpage includes basics about the virus, such as how it is transmitted, the symptoms it causes, and who is at risk of contracting the virus. Users can also view an educational slideshow developed by the Franklin Memorial Hospital Education Department and download fact sheets to frequently asked questions.

 

The page can be accessed at http://www.fchn.org/news/ebola-updates.

 

The page additionally includes links to other trustworthy websites for information on Ebola including the U.S. and Maine Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, National Library of Medicine Ebola resource page, and the American Public Health Association.

 

The website is updated regularly to inform residents and visitors of Greater Franklin County about developments related to Franklin Memorial Hospital’s preparedness for an Ebola case and its response to a potential suspected case of Ebola.

 

Franklin Community Health Network is a member of the MaineHealth system. FCHN includes Franklin Memorial Hospital, Franklin Health medical practices, Evergreen Behavioral Services, NorthStar EMS, and the Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County.