Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group eNews

Another reason to give blood ~ reserved parking!

When you donate blood at the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital, it stays local, saving the lives of individuals right here in the South Coast region.

The Southcoast Blood Bank is 80 percent self-supporting, meaning that 80 percent of the blood used in the hospital comes from local volunteer donors.

All of the blood is used at our three hospitals sites: Charlton Memorial in Fall River, St. Luke's in New Bedford and Tobey in Wareham.

Typically, Southcoast uses nearly 600 pints of blood a month.

The whole blood donation process — from the interview through the actual donating — usually takes 20 to 25 minutes.

www.southcoast.org/bloodbank/

Southcoast's free vascular screenings announced for Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham

Southcoast Hospitals will be hosting free vascular screenings in Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham during May and June.

A basic vascular screening can help detect a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). If left untreated, PAD can increase risks of heart attack and stroke. People who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes have an increased risk for PAD and should be screened on a regular basis.

Appointments are required and can be requested by calling 800-497-1727. Space is limited and appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. No walk-ins on screening days.

See the full schedule.

www.southcoast.org/news/

Your decisions matter

Making health care decisions, particularly about end-of-life care, is often difficult even in the best of circumstances. Making decisions for others, particularly elderly parents, is even more complicated.

However, each of us has the ability to guide our health care providers and our loved ones about what we want. Advance directives give you the ability to document the types of health care you do and do not want, and to name an "agent" to speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself.

Southcoast Hospitals Group and Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care and Infusion Services teamed up with the Partnership for Healthcare Excellence and more than 500 organizations across the country to promote April 16, 2009, as "National Healthcare Decision Day."

Learn more about advance directives such as the health care proxy and "Five Wishes" living will.

www.southcoast.org/news/

Southcoast opens Coastal Café in Fairhaven

Southcoast's Coastal Café is a new spot for great food and conversation with your neighbors at 200 Mill Road in Fairhaven.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location: 2d floor, former AT&T building, Fairhaven.

Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, such as fresh-baked cookies and coffee.

Our varied menu includes both hot and cold foods served in a bright and comfortable cafeteria setting. Breakfast-to-order is available from 7 to 10 a.m. and our lunch and early dinner menu features freshly-grilled paninis, a deli bar, salads and a hot entree-of-the-day. If you don't want to dine-in, call-ahead and we'll pack something to go.

We'll even make you dinner. Take advantage of our "take-out" menu and let us cook for your family. We also offer freshly-made pizzas for take out.

Our staff provides catering services for meetings and other events.

Visit our website to see our weekly menu and catering menu.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted.