Education

Welcome from the Director

Employees of the Education Department are committed to making a difference in the lives of everyone they service.

Through collaboration with patients, patients' families, Hospital departments, the community, community agencies, and physicians we vow to provide care and education across the life continuum.

Our wellness and prevention programs are developed to support individual and community members to make lifetyle choices that can improve physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Warm Regards, Linda Hart, Director of Education and Community Outreach

Please click on any of the links below for information on the types of community outreach and education we provide. For additional information, please call 508-765-3050.

Asthma

Babysitting Training

Instructor: Liz Jarret, RN BSN

Learn the basics of child care and safety with this babysitting education class - a collaborative effort with the American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR. Liz Jarret is an RN BSN and Maternal/Child Educator.

Contact: 508-765-3050

Cardiac Rehab

Instructor: Judy Flannery, RN BSN

Cardiac Rehabilitation began at Harrington Hospital 30 years ago as one of the first programs in the state. In that time it has grown to a four phase, multidisciplinary course that meets the needs of all the members of our community with heart disease:*

  • Phase I (Inpatient): Begins at the hospital following a diagnosis of an angina, heart attack, angioplasty or heart surgery - emphasis on low-level activity and patient/family education.
  • Phase II (Outpatient): Begins immediately after discharge -- emphasis on exercise, diet, education and risk factor modification.
  • Phase III (Outpatient): Begins 6-8 weeks after a coronary event or after completion of Phases I & II - focus is the same as Phase II but increase exercise capacity for 6-12 weeks.
  • Phase IV (Outpatient): Maintenance phase - a life-long program of exercise, education and healthy living.

Recent studies have shown that participating in a Cardiac Rehab program improves a person's chances of surviving heart disease by 25-30%.

We also offer ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). Call for more information.

Instructors: Judy Flannery, RN BSN or Lael Eaton, RN

*This course is by physician referral only.

Contact: 508-765-9771 ext. 2695

CPR, First Aid and AED

Instructor: Todd Bigelow, EPMT

This critical community course offers Basic Life Saving (BLS) skills for healthcare providers, Adult First Aid & CPR, Pediatric First Aid & CPR and Heartsaver Automated External Defibrillator (AED) CPR. This course is taught in collaboration with the American Heart Association.

Registration and Information, contact Cheryl St. Pierre: 508-765-3050

Diabetes Education

Instructor: Candace Caputo, RN CDE

The Diabetes Education Department at Harrington Hospital does in-patient and outpatient one-on-one diabetic education. The diabetic Educator helps patients and family members to understand and manage their diabetes. We cover basic facts about diabetes, risk factors, treatment plans, basic meal planning and carbohydrate counting (until the patient can see dietitian for consult). We also review diabetes medications, i.e. oral or insulin, show patients and families how to use syringes and give insulin injections. We teach use of blood glucose monitoring equipment, go through potential complications of diabetes, what to do on sick days, and hypo/hyperglycemia sign and symptoms and how to treat. Other topics covered include proper needle disposal, coping with diabetes and insulin pump training.

We encourage the community to also attend our support group -- it's free and meets from 6-7:30 p.m., usually the second Wednesday of each month.

Contact: 508-765-2294

Childbirth, New Moms & Children’s Health

Instructor: Liz Jarret, RN BSN

Being a new mom can be frightening and exciting - we are here to help!

Our Childbirth Education and New Mom courses offer six-week, four-week and Fast Track Childbirth Education Classes. We also cover breastfeeding, newborn care, home safety and Infant CPR.

A One-day Fast Trak course is offered on some Saturdays. These courses include information on the process of birth, coping strategies for labor, Cesarean births and Medication options. Please call our Education Department for the most current dates offered.

The Prepared Childbirth sessions are open to all local residents regardless of where they plan to deliver. We also offer special Drop In Classes, held on Monday evenings. Each two hour class has a video, short lecture and question/answer session.

For Registration and Information contact Cheryl St. Pierre: 508-765-3050

Stroke Education

Instructor: Sue Waters, Ed.D. RN

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability. Up to 80% of strokes are preventable - A stroke is an Emergency!

Harrington is proud to be one of eight Massachusetts hospitals with a direct link to Mass General Hospital’s stroke unit. Our Webster and Southbridge ERs are Primary Stroke Centers.

We train our staff and the community on a regular basis about the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke, saving Brain Tissue and how Telemedicine can save lives in the Emergency Room.

Stroke Education Links:

 

 

 

Education & Community Outreach Department
32 Oakes Avenue, Southbridge MA
Phone: 508-765-3050 or 508-765-9771 ext. 3050
Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hours may vary in order to meet the needs of
Community Outreach and Staff Development