Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group eNews

Southcoast tops in patient safety — again!

Southcoast Hospitals Group recently was identified as a recipient of the 2012 HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™, ranking in the top 5 percent of all hospitals in the U.S. in patient safety by HealthGrades® for the third year in a row.

In a new study released by HealthGrades, the nation's most trusted source of health care provider information, Southcoast Hospitals was listed as one of just 12 hospitals in Massachusetts and the only hospital in the South Coast region to receive the prestigious HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.

"Southcoast continues to provide our patients with the safest and highest quality care available. Providing top quality care while creating the safest environment possible is our constant focus that resonates across all services across all Southcoast facilities," said Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Health System and Southcoast Hospitals Group. "This award recognizes the great care Southcoast employees provide to our patients each and every day."

Southcoast was one of only 12 hospitals in Massachusetts to rank in the top 5 percent in the U.S. in patient safety and only one of six hospitals in Massachusetts to receive the designation three years in a row, according to HealthGrades.

www.southcoast.org/news/releases/2012/060612.html

Buy farm fresh at Southcoast

Southcoast Health System will offer public farmers' markets this summer at each of the three Southcoast Hospitals sites — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham — and at the South Coast Business Center in Fairhaven.

Some of the local purveyors will include Apponagansett Farm, Cervelli Farm, Mama Stella's Original Cape Cod Seasoning, Sampson Farm and Westport Town Farm. Produce will range from lettuce, kale, celery and carrots to potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini.

"We know from research that a large percentage of people on the South Coast do not have the benefit of regular access to fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables," said Kerry Mello, Community Benefits Manager for Southcoast Health System. "This summer's farmers' markets are the kick-off to a range of Southcoast programs that provide our employees and our communities with easy access to healthy, locally-grown food."

Thursday, July 26, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street, Wareham Directions

Thursday, August 2, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue, Fall River
Directions

Thursday, August 9, from 2 to 6 p.m.
South Coast Business Center
200 Mill Road, Fairhaven
Directions

Thursday, August 16, from 2 to 6 p.m.
St. Luke's Hospital
101 Page Street, New Bedford
Directions

www.southcoast.org/farmersmarket/

Give a pint ~ get a pizza!

Click here to play video

The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital has teamed up again this year with area Domino's Pizza stores in a "Pizza for a Pint" promotion during the month of July.

Led by Nelson Hockert-Lotz, owner of the Domino's Pizza stores on Kempton Street and Rockdale Avenue in New Bedford, participation will include all Domino's in Bristol County — Fall River, New Bedford, Somerset and Taunton. Anyone who donates blood at the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital, or at any of the community blood drives hosted by the Southcoast Blood Bank, during the month of July will receive a certificate for a free large one-topping pizza redeemable at all Domino's located in Bristol County. The offer is good for any pick-up order or can be combined with a home delivery order. The certificate will not be recognized for home delivery orders of a large one-topping pizza alone.