Great News about the Future of Healthcare in Springville

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital received word this week from New York State and the Department of Health that our application for funding through the Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program was approved.

Additional information will follow, but we want to extend a sincere thanks to area legislators who have been supportive of our application: NYS Senator Patrick Gallivan, NYS Assemblyman David Dipietro, NYS Senator Catharine Young and Cattaraugus County Legislator Richard Helmich. Our deepest thanks, too, to Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health for investing state funds in our facility and supporting the future of local healthcare in our rural region.

Our application outlined an $11.3 million investment in equipment, technology and site development over a five-year period. Our projects will improve healthcare access to primary care and specialty services, upgrade imaging and technology infrastructure, and preserve jobs and health services for residents in southern Erie, northern Cattaraugus and Wyoming Counties.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-446-million-funding-strengthen-health-care-western-new-york

BCH Nurses Certified as Diabetes Lifestyle Coaches

Kathleen Hebdon, RN and Sheri Plummer, RN of the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Diabetes Education team have completed the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach certification. This complements the Diabetes Self-Management accreditation that the hospital has achieved, and will result in additional services that can be offered to patients and covered by most insurance plans.

Studies have shown that patients who attend weekly sessions in diabetes programs for an extended period of time have been rates of prevention because of the healthy lifestyle habits they develop. After an initial 16 weeks, patients are encouraged to attend a monthly support group. Those who commit to attendance up to a full year have the lowest rates of converting to a diabetes diagnosis.

As instructors, Hebdon and Plummer hear myths and misinformation about diabetes reflected back to them from patients. “Some people think that they just have ‘a little diabetes,” said Hebdon. “But the prevalent thought now is that once someone is diagnosed with pre-diabetes, about 50 percent of their pancreatic function is lost, and by the time they are diabetic, that ratio is 80 percent.”

Diabetes causes more deaths in the United States than breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes is very much a lifestyle disease. “People are resistant to starting diabetes treatment,” said Sheri Plummer, RN. “And they give excuses like ‘I’m too old’ or ‘I’m too out-of-shape’ – but they would not hesitate to start a cancer treatment!” She explained, “Pancreatic changes are permanent and progress with age, and we want our patients to start treatment and lifestyle changes immediately to preserve pancreatic function and delay or prevent having to take insulin.”

Diabetes can be treated by three modalities: medication, diet and activity. “Without exercise and activity, you are missing out on a third of the possible treatment regimen,” said Hebdon. “Our programs can help patients overcome barriers with alternative exercises for all conditions, like arthritis, back pain and immobility, and ways to work those into everyday life.”

For information about upcoming Diabetes Education programs, call (716) 592-9643.

Cordelian Club Presents Gift for BCH Emergency Department

Cordelian Club 2017Thanks to the efforts of the Cordelian Club, the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation received a gift that will fund equipment in the Emergency Department.

The purchase of an ocular tonometer, which measures eye pressure, and additional equipment for the ED will proceed because of this donation.

Each year, the Cordelian Club coordinates a party like no other in town. This year’s theme was a tribute to Prince, and it continued a long tradition of dances that have changed with the times but have always supported the hospital.

Pictured from left: BCH Foundation President William King, Shelly Baronich, Primary Care Center Medical Director William Wnuk, MD, Dance Chairperson Kelly Baker, BCH Foundation Board Member Jessica Sullivan, Cordelian Club President Amy Wnuk, BCH Board and Foundation Board Member Stanley Handzlik, BCH Emergency Department Nurse Manager Penny Gardner, RN, BCH Primary Care Nurse Manager Kim Bockhahn, LPN.

Teddy Bear Donation from St. Al’s

The St. Aloysius Crafters group put together a generous donation of handmade teddy bears for Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. Before finding new homes with children, they will be staying comfortably in the hospital’s emergency department and lab. Thank you to Karen Schlageter, who coordinates the group, and BCH Women’s Association President Karen Ritenour for making this project happen for our facility.

Can Kids Make a Difference?

 Yes, yes they can! Our thanks to two students from Springville Middle School for collecting and delivering a variety of books as part of their Kids Can Make a Difference project. This supply will keep the hospital’s Little Free Library stocked for patients, visitors and employees this summer. The range of classics, fiction and non-fiction means that you should check our library often to see what is new!

Imaging Department Installs New CT Scanner

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has announced that a new, upgraded CT (computerized tomography) scanner has been installed in the Imaging Department.

The CT scanner, commonly referred to as a “cat” scan, takes a series of x-ray images from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the human body. These studies show greater clarity and detail than a single x-ray image, and can typically produce images of the abdomen/pelvis, head/brain, sinuses, chest, neck, orbital cavities (eye) and spine. CT angiography can also scan the arteries and veins throughout the body.

“This equipment has a faster scanning time, lower radiation dose and higher image resolution,” said Imaging Department Manager Lisa Smith. “A particular benefit of this scanner is its advanced cardiac screenings, which will support our Heart Center patients.”

BCH’s CT scanner is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and participates in the “Image Gently” program. This CT scanner complements the other imaging and radiology services at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, including digital mammography, bone density, nuclear medicine, x-ray, MRI and ultrasound. For more information or an appointment, call (716) 592-8169.