March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month focuses attention on a disease that is detectable and treatable when caught in its early stages. Each March, healthcare facilities and organizations take steps to raise awareness of this condition and to highlight the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings on a schedule recommended by your healthcare providers.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital joins in this effort by sharing information about colorectal cancer with patients through its Primary Care Center and Surgical Center. The goal: encourage patients to know their risks for colorectal cancer and to get screened on a schedule recommended by their healthcare provider.

For most patients, colon cancer screenings begin at age 50, though certain risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer might indicate that earlier screenings are needed.

Colonoscopies are screening tools that are performed in a surgical setting with sedation for patient comfort. Other screening options include take-home stool tests that are covered by most insurance plans and available for free to uninsured patients through county Cancer Services Programs (CSP). To access the CSP in Erie County, call (716) 858-7376. For Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua Counties, call 877-778-6857.  For Wyoming County, call (716) 278-4898.

At Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, physicians in our Surgical Center perform colonoscopies for patients in an ambulatory surgery setting. That means that patients are generally able to go home from their procedure on the same day.

Colorectal cancer most commonly affects individuals over the age of 50. Patients who are experiencing a change in bowel habits, bleeding or blood in stool, persistent abdominal pain or cramping, or unexplained weight loss should consult with their healthcare provider.

A prescription is needed from a healthcare provider to schedule a colonoscopy. Please call (716) 794-3295 for a colonoscopy consultation with Dr. Gavin Davison, surgeon in the BCH Surgical Center.

 

 

 

BCH Announces New Lab Hours

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has announced that its outpatient lab hours will change beginning on Friday, March 1, 2019.

New hours will be Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.

No appointments are necessary for patients who need testing at the BCH Lab. For questions or for more information, please call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1275.

How High is Too High? Blood Pressure Facts from Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

No photo description available.The word “hypertension” might not be in everyone’s vocabulary, but the phrase “high blood pressure” certainly is.

Hypertension describes a condition that accounts for more than 1,000 deaths in the United States each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control. With approximately one in every three adults walking around with high blood pressure in the U.S., it’s been estimated that only half of those with elevated blood pressure have that condition under control.

“The patients we see in the Heart Center are generally referred to us by their primary care provider,” said Thomas P. Smith, MD, a cardiologist at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. “Our goal is to address cardiac and vascular conditions through medication, diet and exercise programs and other treatment options to improve overall health.”

“With cases of high blood pressure, there are not always obvious symptoms,” said Lauralee Sprague, NP. “By working with patients to control and monitor their high blood pressure, we are reducing their risks for heart disease, stroke and other complications that can result in a lower quality of life or of death.”

So, how high is too high? For most adults, normal blood pressure is less than 120 (systolic, or upper number) and less than 80 (diastolic, or lower number). Readings that show numbers above “120/80” may indicate hypertension. Certain conditions, such as pregnancy or medications, can cause elevated blood pressure readings. The best advice is to talk to your healthcare provider about your blood pressure and have your readings taken in a clinical setting.

BCH is planning a Heart Health Event on February 26 at 1 p.m. at the Concord Senior Center. Blood pressure screenings and heart and vascular health information will be available.

February is American Heart Month, and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has provided this information to raise awareness about this widespread and serious health condition. Call (716) 592-9644 for information about services at the BCH Heart Center.

More Comfort. More Support. More Visits. Hospice Buffalo

Does your loved one seem to be sleeping more and eating less?  Most people do as they approach end-of-life. Hospice Buffalo has a strong collaboration with Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home. Over the years,  the Jennie B. Richmond staff and the Hospice Buffalo team (nurse, social worker, spiritual counselor, aides and even volunteers) have worked together to provide compassionate care. It will bring you peace knowing your loved one will receive more care, more comfort and more visits with two teams working together.

We encourage you to “Know Us Before You Need Us.” The most frequent comment we hear from families is, “I wish I would have called Hospice sooner.” Why not ask a Jennie B. Richmond physician, nurse or social worker for a hospice consult today, or you can call Hospice Buffalo directly at (716) 686-8000. We are here to support you, your loved one and the Jennie B. Richmond team.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Launches New Community Health Resource with YourCareEverywhere

With healthcare continuing to change, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is keeping up with technology and introducing a new electronic medical records system for its patients. Called “YourCareCommunity,” this is a health record and wellness content website. It works as an online portal to help patients and caregivers organize and access personal health information.

This upgrade was funded as part of a grant received by Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in 2017, part of the Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program.

YourCareCommunity includes a Wellness Dashboard that links to patient records, and consolidates other important information and tools for managing personal health. It is accessible from computers and mobile devices, and can integrate with some popular health and wellness apps. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital inpatients and caregivers are being given login and access information upon registration. Once this registration process is complete, hospital patients and their approved caregivers can securely access their patient portal to view, download or transmit private health information, and more.

Individuals who are not BCH patients can create an account on YourCareEverywhere, a related web site, and explore firsthand the Wellness Dashboard and the health and wellness content where there are over 20,000 relevant health and wellness articles, videos, recipes, work-out videos, and other helpful tools.

To log in to the patient portal at YourCareCommunity or to create an account for YourCareEverywhere, please visit https://bertrandchaffee.com/patient-portal/.

Cordelian Club Dance

The Cordelian Club Dance will take place at the Springville Volunteer Fire Dept. Hall on West Main Street from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

You must be 21 or older to purchase tickets or attend; tickets are for sale at the BCH front desk, Anything Printed, or from any Cordelian member. Proceeds support the BCH Foundation! Tickets are $35 per person.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Begins Community Health Needs Assessment

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has begun its 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment process, which relies in part on input from focus groups and an intensive survey of individuals in the community.

This periodic assessment gives the hospital a better sense of community health needs, so that it can better direct its priorities and deliver its services. The online survey is open until February 28 at THIS LINK. (note: this is a new link; please use the survey that is for Erie County). Participants from the BCH service area who complete the survey are eligible to be part of a drawing for one of two $50 TOPS gift cards.

Focus groups are scheduled on Wednesday, January 30 in the afternoon at the Concord Public Library in Springville. BCH is looking for 10-15 community members for each session. Facilitators from the Population Health Collaborative in Buffalo will guide individuals through a series of questions to discover opportunities and challenges related to healthcare, access to healthcare, and related services. Contact Kara Kane at (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485 to be a part of the focus group or with any questions about this project.

A full report will be available later in 2019.

A Story of a Hospital

Written by Mary Kwiatek, RN
Originally published in the
Springville Journal, January 1975

This article was originally published more than 40 years ago, and written by Mary Kwiatek, a longtime nurse and administrator at BCH and JBR, and former volunteer through the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation board of directors. It presents themes that are as relevant today as they were decades ago.

Progress – a definition – growth and development – continuous improvement  forward – onward movement. This tells the story of what happening at Bertrand Chaffee. To share in this progress lends a feeling of excitement and purpose to all involved.

You, the community, must be involved, for it’s your hospital and because of you we can continue growing.

Not so many years ago, B.C.H. was just a wayside station for patients until they could be moved to a more learned institution. There were several doctors on staff and a handful of nurses. Most of the people in the community have fond memories of the Old Homestead. Then, slowly, it started to grow. There was an awareness of the physical growth – groundbreaking, construction, fundraising. The new building seemed to be the answer, but again, the push of progress made us go on – another addition, dedicated citizens starting the painful process of finding funds to finance this new project. At last the dream realized. We could relax, but alas – progress, medical awareness – we need more. Once more the story unfolds – heads get together, another dream in the making – the Jennie Richmond addition is born.

Now, as we drive by we see an accumulation of dreams, hard work, PROGRESS – a forward and onward movement.

If we ended here, the most important element of the story would be left out, for there is more to progress than buildings.

As we grew externally and watched in wonder, the internal growth was far more exciting.

Physician sought us out to become a part of our onward movement. Applications came in at an overwhelming pace. Springville became known as a community with challenge. Our staff roster now includes family practitioners, general surgeons, obstetrician-gynecologists, urologists, oral surgeons, radiologist and consulting orthopedists. Quite an impressive list. These men not only see to their patients, but, meet regularly for educational purposes and serve on various committees to insure the community of safe standards of medical care.

From a handful of nurses to a full professional staff – progress. Each unit in the hospital has a registered professional nurse in charge at all times. There is also an adequate number of licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants. It has become nursing service policy that all licensed nurses have 20 hours of continuing education each year. This ensures the community of having the best qualified care available. An in-service program is provided by the hospital, where the latest Innovations in nursing, along with continued Improvement in life-saving measured are taught.

 

For the third year in succession, coronary care classes are being taught by physicians and nurses.

It is not uncommon for several of our nurses to attend lectures and seminars in Buffalo, as often is three times a month, on their own time.

We are very fortunate to have an administrator, a young man who only wants the best for his family and community.

Mr. [Roger] Ford realizes the needs of the hospital and does his best to see that they are met. He has willingly sent nursing personnel to educational programs around the country to bring back valuable information and share it.

Money is an ever-present worry especially in these trying times, but our new controller, mister Vasiliauskas, spends many hours attempting to make our funds meet the needs of our growing institution.

The rest of our Hospital family has also experience growth in progress.

Are dietary staff serves a larger number of people and yet manages to provide nutritional value to all concerned. This is quite a job considering the food problems and prices.

How well can we function without housekeeping and laundry? I shudder to think – praise and gratitude are extended to these departments, for we can certainly boast of a neat, orderly house.

If you spend any time at all in our hospital, you would hear several pages over the PA system constantly – one of which is maintenance. They are needed and wanted and most units at all times. The maintenance department keeps us warm, in repair and in check with all of our equipment and intricate systems.

Where do our supplies come from and who maintains them? Purchasing and Central Supply are synonymous with efficiency and expertise.

Without medical records and office personnel, we might end up in utter chaos, completely taken over by paperwork, billings and legal documents. Their work is needed and appreciated.

Since we have grown in leaps and bounds, we added two new departments, Inhalation Therapy and Physical Therapy. The work they do is essential to the well-being and proper management of the patient.

X-ray and Lab, two vital departments that work around the clock. Staff members take turns being “on call” for emergency cases. It is not uncommon for them to be called three or four times a night. Illness and accidents take place on holidays.

Our pharmacist keeps us abreast of any data concerning drugs used in our institution, fills our orders and provides us with an ever constant supply of needed medications.

It was our intention to give you a little insight into the happenings at B.C.H. Many people with specific duties and responsibilities make up the hospital family. They all have the same goal to make Bertrand Chaffee grow in order to offer the safest standards of care to our community. We shall continue to put the most important element is you! We need your continued support – without it our dreams can’t be realized.

Representatives from the Cattaraugus County Town Highway Superintendents Association present gifts for the youngest emergency department patients at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

The Cattaraugus County Town Highway Supervisors Association delivered a supply of new toys and stuffed animals for the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Emergency Department on December 17. Staff in the ED gives out toys to its youngest patients and visitors. The Association also collected toys during the holiday season to deliver to Olean General Hospital, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services and the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.

Representatives from the Cattaraugus County Town Highway Superintendents Association present gifts for the youngest emergency department patients at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

Representatives from the Cattaraugus County Town Highway Superintendents Association present gifts for the youngest emergency department patients at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

From left: Town of Mansfield Highway Superintendent Brad Hurley, Diane Metz of Suit-Kote, BCH ED Nurse Manager Penny Gardner, RN, Bill Phillips of Gernatt’s, Town of East Otto Highway Superintendent Tom Benz, and BCH ED Nurse Ken Wiedemann, LPN.