VAHHS Update
Vermont senators working on bill to extend protections for reproductive, gender-affirming procedures
Throughout the week, state senators heard testimony that revolved around a bill that would make reproductive procedures and gender-affirming services legally protected in Vermont.
Corner Medical welcomes new providers
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Corner Medical is excited to introduce two new providers: Hannah Prevost, FNP and Logan Dege-Pearl, DNP.
RRMC Health Talk: Future health care workers
According to the American Hospital Association, by 2026, there will be a shortage of over 3 million health care workers. The severity of the health care workforce shortage will be more acute for rural communities like those in southern Vermont.
Hospitals are as full as ever even as triple virus threat eases
The triple threat of flu, COVID-19 and RSV is easing in the United States. Most states are now reporting low or minimal levels of respiratory activity. However, hospitals are about as full as they have ever been during the pandemic.
North Country cardiology is growing
Dr. Steven Anisman has joined North Country Hospital and is already getting to know and care for cardiology patients in the community.
Vermont system adopts zero-tolerance policy on violence against staff
Southwestern Vermont Health Care has debuted a new policy to prevent aggressive and violent behavior toward its healthcare staff, the Bennington, Vt.-based system said Feb. 2. Like many hospitals across the nation, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center has seen an increase in the proportion of staff reporting violent behavior from patients and visitors.
CMS: Menig Nursing Home quality receives 5 Stars
Gifford Health Care’s Menig Nursing Home in Randolph Center has an overall Five-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), according to the latest reports published by the federal agency.
BlueCross withdrawal from ACO has Vermont’s primary care practices worried
Every month, Jon Asselin, the chief financial officer of Primary Care Health Partners, divvies up a substantial payment to each of his association’s five primary care practices, located in the Burlington area, St. Albans, Bennington and Brattleboro.
Message From The CEO
These are really hard times for many, and we know stress, frustration and grief can bring out the absolute worst in people. The remedy for all of this pain is the love of community.
Legislative Update
VAHHS wants to thank Sen. Dick Sears and Sen. Ginny Lyons for holding a joint hearing last week to hear from health care providers on S.36 and workplace violence.
Knorr: Farewell to a colleague and friend
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Fritz in his role as the chief medical officer at the Brattleboro Retreat for over 20 years. During that time, he expanded the medical staff and facilitated the creation of new programs, including LGBT, Emerging Adult, Uniformed Services, and the opioid addiction Hub and Spoke programs, to name a few. But more importantly, Fritz supported the medical staff, all Retreat employees, administration and the mission of Anna Marsh, the Retreat founder, in “humane treatment of the mentally ill.”
Health care providers seek legislative action to curb workplace violence
During a joint session of the Senate Judiciary and Health and Welfare committees, 10 witnesses organized by the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems urged legislators to support S.36. The new bill would add three clauses specific to health care workers and health care facilities to Rule 3 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure, which governs when law enforcement officers can arrest someone without a warrant.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is now the chair of a key Congressional committee. Here are his priorities
Sen. Bernie Sanders was named as the new chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions last week. It's a position that Sanders requested, because it deals with many of the issues he's worked on during his long political career.
RRMC Health Talk: Talking thyroid function
Your thyroid may be small, but it’s a workhorse when it comes to keeping you healthy. The butterfly-shaped gland in your lower neck produces hormones that affect your entire body. When your thyroid produces too much or not enough hormones, everything from your weight to your energy level may be affected.
How Vermont first responders cope with financial challenges, staffing shortages
Some emergency medical service providers are having a tough time with staffing and finances. This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak will discuss the future of EMS in Vermont and a new academy that's training the next generation of first responders.
End to national Covid-19 emergency order could affect Vermont’s tools to fight the disease
On Monday, President Joe Biden announced that the federal government plans to end the emergency declarations for Covid-19 on May 11, a move that could affect Vermonters’ ability to access vaccinations, testing and treatment for the disease.
Commentary: Health care in Upper Valley has improved
As the leaders of two of the largest Upper Valley health care organizations, both of which are members of Dartmouth Health, we want to share some important context missing from the Valley News’ Jan. 22 editorial “Are we now receiving better care?”
The answer to Sunday’s editorial question “Are we now receiving better care?” is, unequivocally, “yes.”
Vt. report outlines improvements to system for treating eating disorders
A new report out Tuesday details solutions to improve the treatment of eating disorders in Vermont. It’s a problem that was exacerbated by the pandemic, according to experts.
Vt. bill aims to protect health care workers from violence
A new Vermont law is aimed at deterring assaults against health care workers at health facilities.
NVRH Emergency Department receives prestigious award
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) has been named a 2022 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey for patient experience performance in the Emergency Department.