CHH Celebrates National Health Information and Technology Week, November 2 – 8

With each passing year, health information—and the technology that drives it—becomes an even larger part of our overall American healthcare system. From online patient billing to real-time test results, health information and technology drives, defines, or determines a greater percentage of healthcare’s overall annual “progress.”

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital will acknowledge its progress with an array of activities, physician documentation awards, and presentations during the American Health Information Management Association’s 19th annual Health Information and Technology Week, November 2 through 8. The theme for this year’s event is, “The Strength of Technology, The Power of Care.”

Health information management and technology work to help healthcare professionals make important, and sometimes life-saving, decisions on a real-time basis. However, because timely communication and accessibility of health information are key elements in a patient’s proper treatment and care, frequent change is always important to healthcare information systems.

“HIM is critically important to protecting patient information and we take this job very seriously.” said Karen Sunderland, Charlotte’s HIM Director. “With the presidential election the same week, it is impossible to separate the vital importance of health information and technology in American healthcare and the serious work of reforming our healthcare system,” she added.

For more information on HIM week at Charlotte, contact Karen Sunderland at (860) 496-6745. The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, CT, serving a thirteen-town primary service area comprised of approximately 100,000 persons.

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Auxiliary Donates $41,000 For New Patient Mattresses

Thanks to the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) Auxiliary, patients will be able to rest more comfortably during their hospital stay. The Auxiliary donated $41,000 of funds they have raised toward the purchase of new, higher quality mattresses to improve patient care.

The hospital recently installed 72 AccuMax quantum convertible pressure relief mattresses on its beds. They are specially engineered for comfort and made from a co-polymer and polyfiber with six anatomically inspired low pressure zones increase patient comfort while decreasing the incidence of pressure ulcers and other skin problems.

The new mattresses are part of CHH’s ongoing commitment to providing superior quality care and wound management. As a part of the Wound Care Management program, a needs assessment called for mattress replacement in the medical and surgical areas.

“We are appreciative of the generosity of the Hospital Auxiliary. Their donation will allow us to improve our service to patients in the area of wound maintenance.” says Michelle Miranda, RN, Director of Medical-Surgical Nursing at Charlotte.

The Auxiliary was able to make this donation from a variety of fundraising activities that benefit the Hospital. The CHH Auxiliary raises money through the Hospital gift shop, “Artist of the Month” paintings, an annual fashion show and raffle, special sales, and an annual seasons greeting promotion.

“Through their service and commitment to patient care, the Auxiliary embodies the hospital’s mission of providing high quality community-centered health care to our community.” said Tim LeBouthillier, CHH Spokesman. The Auxiliary has continuously served the hospital and the Torrington community for over nine decades through fundraising, volunteerism, and philanthropy.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

Michelle Miranda, RN, Director of Medical-Surgical Nursing (left) poses with Muriel Popham, President of the CHH Auxiliary (right) on a new mattress.

5th Annual Tour of Litchfield Hills Committee Reaches New Goals

The northwest corner’s annual “Tour of the Litchfield Hills” Cycling Tour celebrated its fifth anniversary on Sunday, August 3rd to benefit The Center for Cancer Care Fund, Inc. and reached a new record high amount for the local charity.

The Tour Committee announced that their goal of $100,000 was raised to benefit the Fund, which provides financial assistance and community resources to help with the care, treatment, education and prevention of cancer for residents in Northwest Connecticut. Tour Committee members presented the Board of Directors of The Center for Cancer Care Fund, Inc. with a check at a ceremony on September 10th.

“On behalf of the Tour Committee, we are thrilled at the success of the 2008 Tour of Litchfield Hills. Not only did we succeed in meeting our monetary goals, we also had a record high number of individuals participate in the cycling and walking routes this year. We are pleased to be able to support the needs of cancer patients in our area through this event.” says Marty Mancuso, co-chair of the Tour Planning Committee made up of volunteers who live and work in this area.

Nearly 1,200 individuals participated in the 12, 30, 50, 75 and 100-mile cycling routes and 2.4, 4.2 and 8 mile walking routes throughout Litchfield County. The day concluded with a picnic for participants and awards ceremony. At the ceremony, the Tour Committee specially recognized the work of “Team RJB”, the team responsible for raising the must funds. Led by Joseph Barbieri, the members of this team raised over $13,000.

Mancuso also recognizes the work of the numerous people who made the event possible. “The Tour would not have been nearly as successful without the assistance of our dedicated volunteers. These individuals work long hours to staff rest areas, assist with course set-up and registration, and help us to ensure that cyclists remain safe on the road”.

The Center For Cancer Care Fund, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that provides financial assistance to people battling cancer, and gives assistance for unexpected emergencies for cancer patients for which there are no immediate resources. For example, funds may be allocated for food, transportation, utility bills and medications that are not covered by insurance.

The 2008 Tour of Litchfield Hills was presented by Torrington Honda with founding sponsor Northwest Community Bank. The Tour is supported by diamond sponsors: Campion Ambulance Service, Inc., Frankenstein’s Haunted House, Hatfield Jewelers, RJB Contracting, Inc., and The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

The Center for Cancer Care offers comprehensive cancer care services including radiation therapy, medical oncology and chemotherapy, massage, and art therapy. The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care non-profit hospital located in Torrington, CT, serving thirteen towns and 100,000 persons.

Mary Gilman (left), President of the Center For Cancer Care Fund Board of Directors accepts a $100,000 check from Tour Committee co-chair, Marty Mancuso (right).

Center For Cancer Care Fund Receives $2,000 Donation From Local Free Spirit Lady Harley Riders

Torrington-based Free Spirit Lady Harley Riders Motorcycle Club has made a $2,000 donation to The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s Center For Cancer Care Fund, Inc. This is the fourth consecutive year the group has raised money for the fund, which uses donations to assist and support cancer patients residing or receiving care in northwest Connecticut through care, treatment, education, and prevention programs.

“Our members are family women who share the feeling of unity, friendship, and the wind,” said member and President Connie Pratillo. “We donate proceeds from our fundraisers locally because of the wonderful support and dedication we have received from our community and its merchants.” she added.

Free Spirit was founded in 1991 by Shirley Fry to bring women together who share a common interest in motorcycling and helping others. Group members include wives, mothers, daughters, and business owners. The name “Free Spirit” depicts the freedom members feel when riding their bikes, in the open wind, and the spirit it gives to them and their fellow riders. Their insignia is a purple rose with crossbones, which symbolize woman, femininity, and companionship. Each year, Free Spirit sets aside a fall day of fundraising including food, music and raffles to support breast cancer and women’s health issues.

Free Spirit Lady Harley Riders would like to highlight and thank all the supporters and contributors from their fundraiser on September 20, 2008. A special thanks to WZBG and Don Clady for promoting the event, Kristin Lavieri of Business Basics Plus for her generous donation of the band, and all of the group’s friends, family and those who came out to support the event.

This year’s sponsors included Joe Bouchard’s Tree Top, Business Basics Plus, Kristin Lavieri, Connecticut Cruise News (Don Clady), Ellen Ebbs, Jay & Sharon Flynn, The Gilson Cafe & Cinema, Alan Nero, Hiltz and Bowling Real Estate, Sandy Irving, Colebrook Knights of Columbus, Litchfield Preferred Properties, Frank Perna, The Log House Restaurant, Rainbow Press of Torrington, Inc., Rick’s Wine & Spirit, Salernos, Scarpelli’s, Shock-n-Awe, Stereo King, Terri’s Treasures, Viel Custom Building & Remodeling, and WZBG.

The Center For Cancer Care offers a range of educational programs and support groups dedicated to assisting patients, families and caregivers face the challenges of cancer and a comprehensive care network of medical and radiation oncology services. For more information call 489-6718.

2008 Members of the Torrington based Free Spirit Lady Harley Riders Motorcycle Club recently donated $2,000 they raised to the Center For Cancer Care Fund.