Rumford Hospital

Red Cross Blood Drive at American Legion Feb 15

Rumford Hospital Laboratory again Accredited by College of American Pathologists

Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing presents at Rumford Hospital

Special Program for the New Year January 26

New Diabetes Support Group at Rumford Hospital

Rumford Hospital GEMS 2011 Celebrated

Rumford Hospital Thanks Donors and Volunteers!

Peg Blouin Scholarship awarded

A Gift of Yarn to Rumford Hospital's Caring Stitchers

Poinsettias from the Rumford Hospital Auxiliary

Purple Caps for Babies at Rumford Hospital

Dr. Larry Hopperstead joins practice at Rumford Hospital -- Area hospital is pleased to add a distinguished surgeon to their staff

Lariviere Family Supports RH Oncology

2009-2010 Annual Appeal Kicks Off

Comfort Covers warm Rumford Hospital patients

Rumford Hospital's ED now equipped with ultrasound

Rumford Hospital honors employees

RH's Medical Imaging is all digital!

Red Cross Blood Drive at American Legion Feb 15

A Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by Rumford Hospital and River Valley Rotary is scheduled for the Rumford American Legion on Wednesday, February 15 from noon until 6pm. If you have donated blood over the last few years, you would have received a listing of blood drives in this area from the Red Cross.

There will be "Double Red" machines at this drive. If you plan to give double reds, please mention that when you sign up as special appointment lists are available for these. Call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or Rumford Hospital at 369-1000 to sign up for whole blood or double reds donations.

Blood reserves are again low in New England. There is a particular need for type O negative blood, which can be received by people with all blood types and is often used in emergencies when there's no time to determine the patient's blood type.

01/27/2012

Rumford Hospital Laboratory again Accredited by College of American Pathologists

Rumford Hospital's Laboratory has again been awarded accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government's own inspection program.

During the accreditation process, inspectors examine laboratory records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors examine the entire staff's qualifications, the laboratory equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This ensures the highest standard of care for patients.

"I am so proud of the group of dedicated people who make up the Lab team at Rumford Hospital," says Sally Stone, Lab manager.

Dr. John Skinner, the RH Lab Medical Director, noted that the entire Laboratory team is essential in maintaining the accreditation. "They regularly document the lab's adherence to the CAP standards, and they ensure that the laboratory maintains ongoing programs of quality assurance and quality improvement."

"Patients whose testing is performed at Rumford Hospital's laboratory can certainly feel confident that their results are accurate and consistent," Skinner adds.

01/27/2012

Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing presents at Rumford Hospital

"Empower Yourself into the New Year" was recently presented at Rumford Hospital, sponsored by the Dempsey Center. Dan Elliott, RN, of the hospital's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Department was the presenter. The program aimed to provide strategies to make participants feel more energetic and engaged in life through fun activities and gentle exercise.

Elliott has been in nursing field for eight years and was a teacher prior to earning his RN. Emily Ecker, the Dempsey social worker who works at Rumford Hospital two days each week, arranged the program. In addition to providing special educational and healing programs, Ecker counsels patients with cancer and their loved ones.

01/27/2012

Special Program for the New Year January 26

Do you have too much stress? Do you want to enhance your mental and physical well being? On Thursday, January 26, from 1:30 -3:00pm Rumford Hospital and the Dempsey Center for Cancer Health and Healing presents Empower Yourself into the New Year with Dan Elliott, RN, of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department at Rumford Hospital.

This program will provide participants with strategies to make them feel more energetic and engaged in life, through fun activities and gentle exercise. This program is offered for cancer survivors, family/friends or anyone interested.

Elliott has been in the nursing field for eight years. He loves helping people empower themselves to optimum health. In addition to nursing, Elliott is a member of the Sunday River Ski Patrol and Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue.

01/02/2012

New Diabetes Support Group at Rumford Hospital

Certified Diabetes Educator Barbara MacGregor, BSN, RN, CDE, is hosting a new, free Diabetes Support Group at Rumford Hospital. The first meeting will be Wednesda, January 18 from 6:00 to 7:30pm in Conference Room A on the hospital's ground floor.

During this first meeting discussion will revolve around the goals for the group, meeting schedules, speakers and sharing guidelines and responsibilities. Plans are to make this a monthly meeting scheduled on a regular day and time that is most convenient for the participants. When schools are cancelled due to inclement weather, the meetings will also be cancelled.

People who are unable to attend this meeting or who want more information should call MacGregor at 369-1222.

12/28/2011

Rumford Hospital GEMS 2011 Celebrated

Six years ago the Central Maine Medical Family developed a program - GEMS - which recognizes clinical staff and clinical support staff for excellence in five areas: clinical excellence, customer service, education and research, leadership, and community service. The ultimate goal of the program is to demonstrate commitment to excellence in patient care throughout the system.

GEMS stands for Growth, Enthusiasm, Motivation and Spirit. The GEMS program recognizes staff at three levels, or steps of achievement - Sapphire, Ruby and Diamond. In order to keep standards high, staff members are awarded GEMS status for two years, after which they must re-apply for their current level or a higher level. The three levels - sapphire, ruby and diamond - carry increasingly tougher criteria.

Staff members apply to the GEMS program by meeting a required number of criteria and submitting proof of certifications, education and leadership, as well as their managers' signature on special GEMS forms. At each hospital - Bridgton Hospital, Central Maine Medical Center and Rumford Hospital - an interdisciplinary committee, comprised of both clinical and non-clinical staff people, reviews the applications, making certain the applicants have met all the criteria. Managers are not eligible for the GEMS program.

Tammy Berry, RN, a new diamond GEMS, is a Cardiac Rehab nurse. She lives in Livermore. Daniel Elliott, RN, also a Cardiac Rehab nurse, is another new diamond GEMS. He resides in Rumford. Sharon Gates, RN, of Peru is a new diamond GEMS and a Cardiac Rehab nurse. Stephany Jacques, RN, of Peru has attained the ruby GEMS level. She works in Oncology and in the Specialty Clinics. Patty Perry, RN, another Oncology nurse, is a new diamond GEMS. She lives in Rumford. Janet Richards, RN, is a new ruby GEMS. She works on Med/Surg and resides in Mexico.

Renewing GEMS are Shandi Averill, RN, ruby, a Birthing Center nurse who lives in Dixfield; Tamara Breton, RN, of Roxbury, an Oncology nurse; Brenda Duguay, RN, of Rumford, the ICU Clinical Coordinator; and Janice Durland, RN, an ICU nurse who lives in Mexico. Also renewing GEMS status are Serena Flagg, RN, of Carthage, a Med/Surg and Birthing Center nurse; Barbara MacGregor, RN, of Rumford, the Diabetes Education and Wound Care nurse; Joshua Merrill, Emergency Department Tech, of Rumford; and Pamela Poisson, RN, of Farmington, an Emergency Department nurse.

A celebration was held on December 8 to induct the new GEMS and to honor renewing GEMS.

12/16/2011

Rumford Hospital Thanks Donors and Volunteers!

At Thanksgiving Rumford Hospital sent out thank you cards to people who have donated to the Annual Appeal over the last five years. This is a new tradition developed by the Development Committee at the suggestion of Lolisa Windover, one of the committee's most active members. The task of putting together the mailing fell to Auxiliary Members Dot Benedix and Patsy Mercier.

Benedix and Mercier, always willing to help with mailings, also volunteered to help with holiday cards this year. For many years Rumford Hospital has sent cards to members of its Mountain Society, Auxilians and volunteers. This adds up to several hundred cards, so the help of volunteers is much appreciated.

Auxiliary members are always willing to volunteer at the hospital in addition to all the fundraising work they do, the proceeds of which always are donated to the hospital. For the Annual Appeal 2011 they have again pledged $5000.

12/16/2011

Peg Blouin Scholarship awarded

Kellie Lannon is this year's recipient of the Peg Blouin Scholarship at Rumford Hospital. She is a nursing student at the University of Maine at Augusta, having entered the program in 2009. Lannon, a graduate of Mexico High School, still resides in Mexico. She achieved GEMS status at Rumford Hospital while she was a CNA there for six years. (GEMS is a program that recognizes achievement in clinical excellence, customer service, education and research, leadership, and community service.)
In her free time, Lannon enjoys cooking and kayaking.

The Peg Blouin Nursing Scholarship was established in 2009 upon Blouin's retirement, after 42 years as a registered nurse at Rumford Hospital. Having been a recipient of the Auxiliary scholarship, which enabled her to earn her nursing diploma, Blouin expressed a wish to give back to her community through this scholarship.

The annual award is $1250 to a basic nursing student, not one studying for an advanced degree or specialization, after that student completes a successful first semester. The recipient is chosen by a Rumford Hospital nursing panel comprising the Director of Nursing, the Nurse Manager of Med/Surg and the Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department. The award is based on merit and need.

Applications are open to students who have been accepted into either an associate or bachelors nursing program. These students must be residents of Rumford Hospital's service area.

This is the third year the Blouin Scholarship has been awarded.

12/04/2011

A Gift of Yarn to Rumford Hospital's Caring Stitchers

Jeanne Cole, left, and Corrine Downs, right, give a basket of yarn for Comfort Covers for Rumford Hospital inpatients to Charlene Cooper.

Comfort Covers - some crocheted, some knit, some fleece, some quilted - are given to every inpatient at Rumford Hospital. They help patients feel not only warm but also cared for. Each cover carries a tag urging a patient to take the cover home with them.

Comfort Covers are created by the Caring Stitchers, the group led by Charlene Cooper and Joette Carlton. The group was originally comprised of hospital employees who met every other week to knit and crochet and exchange patterns. They also taught volunteers to knit and crochet. Now the group has expanded to welcome members from the community, some of whom meet with the group and some of whom do their "stitching" on their own.

Many of the stitchers purchase the yarn they use, donating not only their time and talent but also their materials. From time to time, however, other people donate yarn, fleece or fabric for quilts to the group. Knowing this, Corrine Downs and Jeanne Cole of Region 9 Vocational and Adult Education conceived a plan to increase yarn donations. They are placing baskets at Region 9 and also at the Rumford/Mexico University College in the hope that students and staff will drop materials for Comfort Covers off.

"We are always happy to accept donations of materials," notes Cooper. "Right now we are in need of more stitchers to make Comfort Covers because we haven't been able to keep up with the demand." The covers are approximately 36 inches by 48 inches, a good size to use as lap robes or over the shoulders.

Anyone interested in joining the Caring Stitchers, either at their get-togethers or as an at-home stitcher, or anyone who has materials to donate may call Cooper at 369-1038.

11/10/2011

Poinsettias from the Rumford Hospital Auxiliary

Auxilians pose with their favorite hospital patient (in wheelchair) as they distribute plants on Poinsettia delivery day 2010.

The annual Rumford Hospital Auxiliary Poinsettia Sale order forms have been mailed to businesses around the area. Last year more than 400 plants were delivered to local businesses or picked up at the hospital by individuals. Individuals may also have them delivered with others to their place of business. The brightly foil-wrapped, eight-inch poinsettias are $9.50, due at time of delivery or pick-up - Friday, December 2, 2011.

To obtain an order form, which must be returned by Friday, November 25th at noon, call Barbara Belanger at 364-3648 or Jennifer Kreckel at 364-4593.

11/10/2011

Purple Caps for Babies at Rumford Hospital

During November 2011 every newborn across the state of Maine will receive a knit purple cap. Indeed, the effort is a nationwide attempt to create awareness about normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking babies. The caps are being distributed to hospitals through community agencies everywhere. In this case Community Concepts delivered caps, many made by local knitters, to Rumford Hospital's Birthing Center.
Shaken baby syndrome is the most serious and most common form of infant abuse, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS). A leading trigger for this abuse is frustration with an inconsolable crying infant. In addition to the purple baby caps new parents get DVDs and a booklet about normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking an infant. "Babies all go through a normal period of increased crying in the first few months of life," says Ryan Steinbeigle, Director of Development for the NCSBS. "The goal of this program is to normalize this period and help parents and caregivers find ways to cope."
The first purple cap given at Rumford Hospital went to Connor Andrew Thompson who was born November 2. The first child of Amanda and Joel Thompson of Mexico, Connor weighed in at five pounds seven ounces. His mother will be a stay-at-home mom and his father works at Advance Auto where the couple met. Connor's paternal grandparents are Dale and Stacy Thompson of Rumford, where Joel grew up. Amanda's parents are Butch and Terri Cooper of Turner, her home town.
The Thompsons say that their birthing classes at Rumford Hospital taught them about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome, but they didn't know about the caps until one was presented to Connor. "This is a good way to raise awareness," says Joel. "We couldn't have asked for a better experience than we've had here at Rumford." "The nurses are great," adds Amanda. The Thompsons are happy to be a part of spreading the word of the NCSBS, as are the Birthing Center nurses at Rumford Hospital.

11/10/2011

Dr. Larry Hopperstead joins practice at Rumford Hospital

Area hospital is pleased to add a distinguished surgeon to their staff

10/13/2010

Lariviere Family Supports RH Oncology

More members of Al and Freda Lariviere?s family have stepped forward to make very generous gifts to the Rumford Hospital Oncology Fund. Eric Boucher, the son of the Larivieres? older daughter, brought a check for $500 to the nurses in the Lariviere Oncology Suite while he was visiting his grandparents in August. Two months later Boucher's sister, Cori Rockwood, was on hand to present a check from her and her husband.

Brother and sister are both graduates of Mountain Valley High School and still feel close to Rumford, where they grew up, and to the Lariviere Oncology Suite, which their grandfather raised funds to establish and which is named for their uncle David.

When the Lariviere's son David was diagnosed with cancer, he was living near Portland and had to drive only a few miles for chemotherapy services. Al knew that people in Rumford weren't so fortunate - that they had to drive to Lewiston for infusion services. He was determined that in the future Rumford area patients wouldn?t have to do that.

Lariviere began asking friends and family for donations to establish an oncology suite right at Rumford Hospital - quality health care, close to home. In 1997 Lariviere?s determination paid off, and the first suite was opened with three infusion stations. In 2004 the suite moved to a new location on the second floor of the hospital and doubled in size.

Throughout its history the Lariviere Oncology Suite has enjoyed the support of the Lariviere family, including the elder Larivieres? older son Phil and his wife Gloria and younger daughter Suanne Fischer and her husband David, as well as Boucher?s mother Karen.

11/19/2009

2009-2010 Annual Appeal Kicks Off

The Rumford Hospital Annual Appeal 2009-2010 first mailing of the year appeared in local mail boxes during the second week of November and within a few days $20,000 had been donated and pledged. In addition to asking for gifts, the Annual Appeal letter and brochure name a few of the furnishings and equipment that have been purchased in the past with annual appeal funds. ?We want people to read the material and learn more about the hospital,? explains Jolan Ippolito, chair of the hospital board.

?We hope the response from the community will be as generous as in past appeals, as we have lots of newly developed equipment to purchase,? she adds. ?We need to keep renewing our hospital.? Since opening the new consolidated unit in December of last year, Rumford Hospital has been able to relocate Therapy Services to the former inpatient area, purchase digital mammography and bone density scanning equipment, and renovate two operating rooms.

The 2009-2010 Annual Appeal brochure has a beautiful and timely cover photo taken by Charlotte Hartley of the Therapy Services Department. It shows Physical Therapist Rhonda Norton working with Campbell Magno, using two of the pieces of equipment in the dedicated pediatric room of Therapy Services? new space. The photo is timely because some of the new therapy equipment was purchased with annual appeal funds.

11/19/2009

Comfort Covers warm Rumford Hospital patients

Just when the program to give every Rumford Hospital patient a lap robe, a comfort cover, was running out of the handmade covers, Rejeanne Laverdure stepped in to save the day. She had made more than 20 crocheted covers to donate to the hospital?s program.

Comfort Covers are the brainchild of hospital Accountant Charlene Cooper and Birthing Center Nurse Manager Joette Carlton, who are both fond of needlework. Comfort Covers ? some crocheted, some knit, some fleece, some quilted ? help patients feel not only warm but also cared for, warming hearts as well as laps. Each cover carries a tag urging a patient to take the cover home with them.

Initially the Caring Stitchers, as the group led by Cooper and Carlton calls itself, were all hospital employees who met every other Monday to knit and crochet and exchange patterns. They also taught volunteers to knit and crochet. Now the group has expanded to welcome members from the community, some of whom meet with the group and some of whom do their ?stitching? on their own.

The group has also added meetings on the Mondays when they don?t knit and crochet to devote themselves to quilting. Anyone interested in joining the Caring Stitchers should call Cooper at 369-1038 for information about preferred sizes and meeting times.

11/19/2009

Rumford Hospital's ED now equipped with ultrasound

Rumford Hospital recently purchased a portable ultrasound machine, which will be used by Emergency Department and Birthing Center providers. Purchased with grant funds, the machine will allow clinicians to assess cardiac activity, basic anatomy, and suspected internal bleeding from trauma. It will help OB providers in determining fetal position and heartbeat, and other specific conditions.

Ultrasound provides immediate images that assist providers to determine the treatment requirements necessary for patients. Bedside imaging is becoming standard in many emergency departments across the country. Portable ultrasound will not replace complete and comprehensive image studies, but it enhances other diagnostic assessments when looking for specific diagnoses.

In facilities where ultrasound is not available 24 hours a day, patients are often held in the ED until ultrasound technologists can be called in or patients may be asked to return the next morning for the ultrasound. When a quick diagnosis is imperative in an emergency situation, the bedside ultrasound will provide a timely and quality solution to 24/7 ultrasound availability.

?Having a portable ultrasound machine available is a statement to the community that Rumford Hospital is committed to providing outstanding quality care,? says Robin Gilbert, RN, Emergency Department Manager.

11/19/2009

Rumford Hospital honors employees

Rumford Hospital recently honored employees with 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and five years of service. Andrea Child of Dixfield was honored for 35 years of service. She is a registered nurse on the Medical/Surgical unit. Brenda Duguay of Rumford, Head Intensive Care Nurse, received accolades for 30 years, as did Paula Voter of Mexico, Dietary Manager. Pharmacy Certified Technician Cindy Toher of Rumford was honored for 25 years.

Linda Blais of Rumford, Plant Operations; Donna Cambra of Rumford, Medical Records; Joette Carlton of Dixfield, Birthing Center Nurse Manager; Elaine Cross of Bethel, Lab; and Sally Stone of Dixfield, Lab Manager, were honored for 20 years of service. Weighing in at 15 years of service were Deb Day-Oliver of Bethel, Quality Services; Rodney Kuhl of Rumford, Swift River Family Medicine; Alicia Welch for Dixfield, Lab; and Stephen Yap, RN, of Rumford, Emergency Department.

Honorees for 10 years were Elaine Buckley, RN, Med/Surg; Kim Gagnon, Physician Practice Manager; Jo Hebert, Central Supply; Pauline Larone, RN, Med/Surg; Tamera Richard, Surgical Services; Nicole St. Pierre, ICU; Donna Touchette, Linen Service; Karen Welch, Radiology; Jennifer Woods, Radiology; and Linda Zadakis, Lab.

Barbara Bailey, Jean Cole, Dan Elliott, Cheryl Gardener, Tena Goodbois, Estelle Harrington, Nicole Harris, Elizabeth Hodgdon, Andrea Holder, Kelly Ladd, Vickky Milledge, Nicole Nolette, Charlene Shaw, Judith Thibodau, and Marlene Viger were honored for five years at Rumford Hospital.

11/19/2009

RH's Medical Imaging is all digital!

With the installation of the new digital mammography equipment, Rumford Hospital?s Medical Imaging is totally digital. The implementation of digital mammography is a regional initiative within the Central Maine Medical Family. The Rumford installation was the final phase of installations that began at CMMC?s Bennett Breast Care Center in July, followed by the Bridgton Hospital installation in December. Purchasing the equipment for all three facilities allowed group discount pricing, and the initiative was completed by a grant from the Avon Foundation that help purchase the equipment for Bridgton and Rumford hospitals.
Digital mammography means that the image can be seen immediately by mammography experts at the Bennett Breast Care Center. In addition, digital images provide a higher detail image than traditional film mammography. The Hologic Selenia units installed at all three hospitals were specifically selected for the CMMF hospital due to its lower radiation exposure to the patient ? up to one third less exposure on average than other digital and traditional film units. It also has some of the highest resolution images in the industry.
Patients definitely benefit when their x-rays can be shared electronically. That applies to all patients, not only those having mammograms. In addition to the ability to have a radiologist who specializes in a particular area look at the image, an emergency physician treating the Rumford victim of a car accident that happened in Lewiston could have immediate access to ?baseline? x-rays before proceeding with treatment. The digital images can also be included in each patient?s electronic medical record.
Digital imaging is less time consuming. Instead of going into a darkroom and putting film through a processor, the technologists go to a CR reader, which scans the image from the cassette. If film x-rays were too light or too dark, the techs had to retake them. With the new technology they can tweak the image, improving its brightness or contrast. The technologists cannot alter the digital x-ray, just make it easier to read.
Gone is the bulky x-ray filing system. After time limits for keeping reference x-rays are expended, the picture archival communication system (PACS) will store images on a computer hard drive. Technologists can also burn images onto a CD or laser print them onto film that looks much like old x-ray film.
PACS is a time-saver for the technologists and means improved safety for patients. Because the techs need enter the patient information only once, there is less chance that retyping or copying will alter the data.
The radiology information system (RIS) allows physicians to place electronic orders with an electronic signature. The techs retrieve those orders and take the x-ray. The radiologist reads it, and the RIS holds his/her report, the results of the x-ray. Now it can be included in the electronic medical record.
?All this wouldn?t have been possible if Rumford Hospital weren?t a part of the Central Maine Medical Family,? says Gale Hill, Medical Imaging Manager. ?And having the same equipment at all three hospitals will lend more consistency of care within CMMF.?

11/19/2009