Springfield Hospital

It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2020 nominees for the Eileen Austin Neal RN Spirit of Nursing Award. This award was created in 2004 in honor of Eileen who worked at Springfield Hospital for 65 years. Eileen was in her 80’s when she retired and she was the first recipient of this award!

Criteria for the award includes communication, care for patients, nursing professionalism, and teamwork. Nominations are accepted from throughout the organization, and are reviewed and voted on by a committee that includes the previous year’s recipient and a member of Eileen’s family, among others.

The following quote from American nurse theorist and nursing professor well known for her theory in human caring, Jean Watson, PhD, RN, FAAN, HNC, best describes the commitment to nursing:  “It is when we include caring and love in our work and our life that we discover and affirm that nursing, like teaching, is more than just a job, but a life-giving and life-receiving career for a lifetime of growth and learning.”

We are pleased to announce and congratulate our 2020 nominees:

• Scott Belt, RN, Rockingham Health Center
• Carolyn Berk, RN, Ludlow Health Center
• Mary Ann Bonneville, RN, Springfield Hospital, Perioperative Services/Endoscopy
• Abby Burns, RN, Springfield Health Center
• Jenna Crawford, RN, Charlestown Health Center
• Lindsey Grasso, RN, Charlestown Health Center
• Blythe Kersula, RN, BS, MSN, CIC, Infection Prevention, SMCS
• Sarah Moran, RN, Rockingham Health Center
• Kate Moriglioni, RN, Emergency Department, Springfield Hospital
• Desirae Wilbur, RN, Ludlow Health Center

Please join us in offering congratulations to this year’s nominees. The 2020 winner of the Eileen Austin Neal Award will be announced on Monday, May 11th.  ###

Photo: Eileen Austin Neal, RN

March 18, 2020

NO VISITOR POLICY at Springfield Hospital…Effective Immediately.

In light of the current Coronavirus situation, and in the best interest of the health and safety of our patients, staff and the public, we must adjust our visitor policy. With the exception of visitors to patients receiving end of life care, we are instituting a NO VISITOR policy at Springfield Hospital effective immediately.

If you have an appointment in one of our primary care offices, please keep your appointment, but limit the number of people you bring with you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Springfield Hospitals’ Visitation Policy is designed to safeguard visitors, patients and staff by limiting face-to-face contact when faced with the threat of contracting and/or spreading illness.

General Visitation to Springfield Hospital Patient Care areas:

• Visitors are restricted to two per patient at all times.
• Visitors are restricted to those over the age of 16.
• All visitors must enter the building through either the Main Entrance or the Emergency Department Entrance.
• Visitors will be screened for respiratory symptoms by the Front Desk Receptionist, Outpatient Registration, Emergency Room Registration, the Charge Nurse in the Emergency Room, or the Receptionist in the Radiology/Ambulatory Care waiting area. Visitors accompanying patients to appointments within the building can be screened by either the Front Desk Receptionist or Registration.
• Screened visitors will receive a visitor’s badge. This badge indicates that they have been screened for respiratory symptoms.
• If the visitor answers yes to having respiratory symptoms, they will be asked to postpone their visit until they are free of symptoms.
• Any patient without a visitors badge needs to be directed to the screening area before they can return to the patient care areas for their visit.

Visitors to Confirmed COVID-19 Patients:

• All visitors are screened for respiratory illness every time, according to the steps outlined above.
• General visitation is discouraged. Visitors can be considered in the case of a patient emergency or rapid deterioration of patient condition.
• Schedule visits as needed.
• Efforts will be made to assist patients with phone equipment, video calls, etc., to limit feelings of isolation.
• All visitors should wear the same personal protective equipment (PPE) as covered by the High Threat Infection Hospital Management Policy. This includes Contact, Airborne and Eye protection.
• Instructions will be given to visitors before they enter the room on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and the use of their PPE.
• Visitors to these patients should limit movement within the facility. Visits to the cafeteria or other areas are discouraged.

Ridgewood Office Building Practices (Orthopaedics, General Surgery, and ENT):

All visitors accompanying patients should be screened at registration at the same time the patient is screened. A visitor name badge will be provided which will indicate that they have been screened for respiratory illness. If they answer affirmatively, they should be asked to wait in their car or outside while the patient is being seen.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/hospital-preparedness-checklist.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Coronavirus Interim Guidance in the Health Care Settings- March 10^th, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Finfection-control.html

March 6, 2020   –  At Springfield Medical Care Systems, we are dedicated to providing high quality health care to all our patients.  As concerns grow for the potential development of cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area, we want to assure you that we are focused on the health and safety of our patients and staff.

A task force has been meeting regularly to develop preparedness plans consistent with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control under the guidance of the Departments of Health of Vermont and New Hampshire.  Key members of the task force are on call 24/7 to help address any real-time concerns that arise at either Springfield Hospital or any of our outpatient offices.

At this point there are no confirmed cases in Vermont and the virus is not spreading widely in the United States.  In an effort to keep it that way, we ask for your help.

WHAT CAN YOU DO:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then properly dispose of the tissue.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces with a household cleaning spray or wipe.
• The CDC does NOT recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms and those caring for someone with the disease.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• If you have returned from travel to Italy, Iran, South Korea, China or Japan in the past two weeks please call the Department of Health for your state of residence.
  • Vermont Department of Health 802-863-7240 (24/7)
  • New Hampshire Department of Health 603-271-4496 (business day)
    603-271-5300 (after hours)

• Call your primary care provider if you develop fever, cough or shortness of breath and have either recently traveled from an area with ongoing community spread of COVID-19 (China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea) or you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. We will help you work with either the VT or NH Department of Health to determine an appropriate testing, monitoring and/or treatment plan. 
• Please do not present to the Emergency Room, Walk-in or Primary Care without calling ahead so as to limit the risk of possible transmission to other vulnerable patients, or to our vital health care workers!   

Most often, mildly ill COVID-19 patients can be managed at home.

If you visit any of our health centers or Springfield Hospital, you will be asked about travel, cough, fever and/or contact with anyone who may increase your infection risk.

• NEW ADVISORY: Following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, returning travelers whose last day in China, Italy, South Korea or Iran was March 4 or afterwards should stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States. Travelers returning from Japan should monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States. All travelers who have returned from those countries in the last 14 days should call the Health Department at 802-863-7240 (VT) or 603-271-4496 (business day) 603-271-5300 (after hours) (NH) to discuss monitoring.  If you develop symptoms of shortness of breath, cough or fever, contact your health care provider right away.

We are here for you and appreciate you being there for us! 

Respectfully,

Katrina Taylor, DO                                         Robert Cantu, MD
Chief Medical Officer                                           Medical Staff President

Joshua R. Dufresne, MBA                          Michael J. Halstead, MBA
Acting Chief Executive Officer                          Interim Chief Executive Officer
Springfield Medical Care Systems                    Springfield Hospital

Springfield, VT (February 21, 2020)  —  Abnormal uterine bleeding can occur at any age and, while not exclusively, it is a symptom seen quite often in women of childbearing age.

Some of the causes of abnormal bleeding may include pregnancy, structural abnormalities in the uterus that may include fibroids or polyps, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, blood thinners, or hormonal changes.

Women who are entering or who are in menopause may have hormonal changes that can cause the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to thicken. This can cause bleeding or abnormal menstruation.

Some of the signs of abnormal uterine bleeding may include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding at unusual times (between periods, after sex, during menopause)
• Unusually long periods (seven days or longer)
• Inconsistent menstrual cycles

Testing may include a physical exam, blood tests, pelvic ultrasound, and further testing for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, or cancer may be needed based on your personal situation.

Your OB/GYN or other healthcare professional should be consulted immediately if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. If you have questions, please call Springfield Gynecology at 802-885-7561.

Photo: Kara Pitt, MD, FACOG

Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) and Springfield Hospital have an excellent working relationship that has served our communities well in the past; and the collaboration is expected to continue well into the future.

The SMCS health center network is an anchor in our local communities, as a valued healthcare provider as well as an economic cornerstone.  Current Chapter 11 Reorganization plans anticipate doing everything we can to strengthen the health system network and to ensure ongoing access to care within our region. All plans maintain a primary focus in terms of patient care and the delivery of healthcare service.

Reorganization may, and likely will, involve a somewhat different corporate structure.

Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc. and Springfield Hospital filed Chapter 11 Reorganization with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in June of 2019. This action was taken to provide both organizations time to develop reorganization plans for a sustainable healthcare system. Throughout the process, management and the Boards of Directors for both organizations have carefully reviewed financial and organizational strategies to determine the best approach to efficiently and effectively maintain local access to healthcare services.

We anticipate filing exit plans with the bankruptcy court this Spring. Our goal is to ensure a strong primary care system that continues to operate health centers in the same towns where they are currently located. Also, that Springfield Hospital maintains operations. Specific services offered may change (as with any business) depending on community demand and reimbursement for services. It is premature at this time to share further details, other than to say exit plans will soon be filed and need to be approved by the bankruptcy court.

The message we want to be sure is clear throughout our communities is:

• We plan to file exit plans soon;
• Reorganization envisions continuing collaboration between Springfield Hospital and the SMCS
  health center network;
• Services will be designed to respond and meet the needs of the region; and,
• The organizations’ projections demonstrate they are sustainable into the future.

The future of healthcare in our region remains strong. Much work remains to be done; but Board members and staff are up to the challenge and we look forward to meeting the healthcare needs of our communities for years to come.  ###

Springfield, VT (1-9-20)  –  While the 64th Apple Blossom Cotillion is almost four months away, the hard work for its participants began on Sunday, January 5^th.  Weekly practices will continue at Riverside Gymnasium in Springfield, VT, each Sunday until the final performance and crowning of the 2020 Apple Blossom Queen on May 2nd.

Twenty-one high school senior girls and their chosen escorts will be joined by 21 elementary school couples at this year’s Cotillion.

The musical theme for this year’s production is Hollywood Nights and will feature songs that were performed or written by stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The high school senior girls who will be competing for the title of 2020 Apple Blossom Queen are: Julianna Albero-Levings, Lucy Applegate, Bailey Beebe, Jessica Cerniglia, Ashley Chamberlin, Lucia Coutermarsh, Hope Darrell, Alyssa Ferris, Allison Gibbons, Kayla Gibbons, Sarah Gurney, Grace Guy, Xandrea Luurtsema, Madison O’Brien, Hailey Perham, Ahna Perry, Courtney Stearns, Madison Tennis, Kaylee Warren, Maizy White and Mycah White.

Pam Church and Carrie Jewell return as this year’s Cotillion Directors.  They will be assisted by Tracy Austin, Anna Church, Bridget Sydney Wentworth, Brittany Peebles, Kyla Beardsley White, Robin Stoto-Keefe, Taylor Knoras, Mykahla Jasinski and Marie LaPlante.  Larry Kraft will be the event’s Master of Ceremonies for the 20^th consecutive year.

The Apple Blossom Cotillion is a fundraiser for Springfield Hospital.  Proceeds from this popular evening of community entertainment provide support for the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career Award and services of Springfield Hospital.

For further information about the Cotillion, please contact Sandy Peplau, 802-885-7686 or email speplau@springfieldmed.org 

During this special time of year, there are many festive, spiritual, crafty and meaningful events one can attend.  At Springfield Hospital, a wonderful seasonal tradition takes place each year, called “Hearts of Hope”. This annual event provides a special opportunity to honor and remember loved ones who are currently battling, or may have lost their life, to cancer or heart disease.

Beautiful holiday ornaments, handmade by our volunteers, are placed on our Hearts of Hope tree in honor or memory of loved ones. Each year, the Hearts of Hope Committee, composed of Linda Feddersen, Barbara Bye and Ruby Pinders, raise funds through this event to purchase items for the support and comfort of our patients at Springfield Hospital’s Oncology and Cardiology Clinic.

This year’s tree dedication ceremony was held December 4th at the Nolin Murray Center in Springfield, and included caroling, honoring those remembered on the ornaments, special music by Patty Carpenter and Dr. Thomas Davis, and refreshments. This year’s event raised $6,400 for our Specialty Clinic. A long-time member of our Hearts of Hope Volunteer Committee, Arlene Pearson, was also remembered this year. Arlene put her heart and soul into this event for nearly 20 years and passed away earlier this year. She will be missed but always remembered by her HOH friends.

“We thank all of our donors who made this, yet again, a very special event,” says Sandy Peplau, Volunteer Coordinator, Springfield Hospital. If you wish to contribute to this campaign, heart ornaments are still available for a $15 donation.  Please contact Sandy at 802-885-7686.  ###

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants are vital partners in providing health and wellness care. Many people think that they can only see a rehabilitation provider when they are injured or recovering from surgery.  But what you may not know, is that rehabilitation professionals have a wide array of skills in addition to those we traditionally think of; and are a key part of our healthcare team in terms of preventing injuries and keeping us healthy and well.

Working with student athletes and school sports teams, helping older people maintain balance, strength and independence, helping children with special needs and  assisting with stroke recovery are just a few of the services that physical therapy providers have to offer. Therapists are great teachers and can provide a wealth of information on how we can keep ourselves healthy, mobile, engaged and more productive in our work and our leisure activities. They are also indispensable in maximizing outcomes after surgery or injury.

Physical Therapy, as part of a multi-modal pain management plan, can be an effective alternative to medications in treating both acute and chronic pain.

So, during Physical Therapy Awareness month, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation professionals for their expertise, professionalism and their continued support of our patients and our communities.

Katherine Silta, PA-C can be reached at Connecticut Valley Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 29 Ridgewood Road, Springfield, VT at 802-885-6373.