April 7, 2009
Harrington to bring Digital Mammography, Technology Upgrades to Webster campus
WEBSTER/SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. April 7, 2009 - Technology upgrades and new high-end equipment, including the addition of state-of-the-art digital mammography, will be central components of the new Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard facility.
Harrington Hospital, which last week announced plans to transition Hubbard Hospital to Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard beginning May 4, plans to invest $1.5 million in technological upgrades on the campus in its first year, starting with digital mammography, also in May.
Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard will be an extended outpatient facility, with a 24/7 Emergency Room, primary care practices and many ancillary services. Harrington Hospital CEO Edward Moore said the Harrington Board of Directors has approved putting significant investment into the building and equipment.
"Providing quality healthcare to the residents of Webster, Dudley and surrounding communities is a priority for us," Moore said. "We will achieve that goal by adding to the physician base, upgrading the equipment, and making enhancements throughout the Webster campus."
"Digital mammography is the gold standard of testing," said Blaine Moffa, Hubbard Public Relations Coordinator. "It offers enhanced images and faster detection of abnormalities. We will also be able to offer the Soft Pads, which create a more comfortable and less painful procedure. The result is shorter exam times and less stress on our patients. We are thrilled to soon offer this standard of service to our community."
The Radiology Department will be a collaboration with Harvard Medical Faculty physicians from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Among the staff in radiology will be a female mammographer. Beth Israel Deaconess was recognized as one of the top hospitals in the nation in 2008 by U.S. News & World Report.
Harrington plans to recruit additional primary care physicians to the Hubbard campus to meet the need of the individuals and families struggling to find a doctor in the region. Harrington recently renovated and reopened a primary care office nearby at 161 West Main Street in Dudley, housing primary care physician Peter Scuccimarri and physician assistant Joseph Bartoszek, with a pediatrician, Thomas O'Leary, arriving in May. Hubbard's campus currently has three new primary care physicians who are building their patient base -Dr. Yusef Haj-Darwish, Dr. Afsin Nasseri and Dr. Syed Hussain. Management will continue to explore part-time specialty coverage such as OB/GYN and urology for the campus.
Outpatient departments will also see significant upgrades in technology. The campus will transition from its current computer system to the MEDITECH healthcare informatics system. MEDITECH is a fully integrated electronic medical record which facilitates streamlined patient care.
All diagnostic imaging modalities will transition to Infinitt PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) - an electronic repository of images. PACS will allow for remote access and replace hard copy films.
Harrington Hospital's GB Wells Center provides an outpatient mental health facility at its satellite Webster campus (adjacent to South County Pediatrics). Harrington will continue to grow this service as well as Emergency Room psych evaluation services.
Because the plan now integrates more residents into the Harrington medical services population, management hopes community members from the Webster area will take advantage Harrington's state-of-the-art cancer center, slated to open later this year.
The $14 million, two-story, free-standing center, to be built at the edge of Harrington's Southbridge campus, will be the first facility of its kind between Springfield and Worcester. It will feature the latest technologies and treatments, such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), which focuses the radiation treatment on the tumor and spares the normal tissue. The center is a joint venture with 21st Century Oncology, Inc.
Other capital improvements under consideration for the Webster campus include a new Emergency Room, which handles nearly 12,000 visits annually.