Griffin Hospital honors certified surgical technician with BEE Award

DERBY - Griffin Health recently honored Certified Surgical Technician Lauren Atkinson of Branford with the Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award for nursing support caregivers.

The BEE Award at Griffin Health honors nursing support caregivers who are committed to providing an exceptional care experience for patients and their loved ones, and fellow caregivers. 

Just as the bee helps strengthen flowers, nurses provide high-quality, person-centered patient care with the outstanding assistance of a support team.

A caregiver at Griffin for three years, Atkinson was nominated by several fellow caregivers in Griffin’s Surgical Services department for her knowledge, skill and responsiveness in providing assistance wherever needed.

“Lauren is the definition of a team player,” the nomination for Atkinson stated. “She can scrub any case with ease and is always in demand by every surgeon who has had the privilege to work with her. Her calm demeanor and outstanding attitude makes our job so much easier.”

Griffin Health caregivers eligible for the BEE award are all non-nursing team members from the Griffin Health Patient Care Division, including Unit Clerks, Telemetry Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Obstetrics Technicians, Certified Surgical Technicians, Gastrointestinal Technicians, Central Processing Department Technicians, Certified Nursing Assistants, Mental Health Workers, Patient Safety Monitors, Continuous Video Monitoring Technicians, Environmental/Housekeeping Team Members, Patient Transporters, Dining Services Representatives, Valet Attendants and Shuttle Drivers.

Patients, visitors, and Griffin Health caregivers can nominate deserving members of the nursing support team by filling out a nomination form available at Griffin Hospital.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

 

Griffin Hospital in Derby seeks volunteers for elder life program

Griffin Hospital in Derby is hosting a training session for its Hospital Elder Life Program which provides extra support for elderly patients. /Contributed photo

DERBY - The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Griffin Hospital is looking for volunteers to provide additional support for elderly patients. 

Research shows that between 30 and 50 percent of seniors can experience a decline in their physical and cognitive abilities during a hospital stay. 

HELP is a comprehensive, evidence-based, patient care program that provides important connections between volunteers and patients, including meal time assistance, daily orientation, therapeutic activities, walking and exercise, to help patients maintain their optimal level of well-being. 

HELP volunteers also work in partnership with the doctors and nursing staff to highlight issues specific to geriatric care and to provide education to patients and their families. 

There will be a training session for HELP volunteers in the upcoming weeks. Anyone 18 years and older is eligible to volunteer for HELP. No previous medical experience is required, and training and supervision are provided. Volunteers are required to give a minimum six-month commitment of one four-hour shift per week. 

The program is most needed on weekdays from 4-8 p.m. Limited day shifts are also available. College students looking to enter the medical field are encouraged to apply as this opportunity will provide hands-on patient care experience. College scholarship incentives are also available. 

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

To apply or for more information, call 203-732-1553. For more information about volunteering at Griffin Hospital, visit griffinhealth.org/volunteer.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby 1 of 3 in CT recognized for exceptional patient care

DERBY - Griffin Hospital was recently recognized for its exceptional patient care, earning the highest rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Among the many hospitals evaluated, Griffin stood out as one of just three hospitals in the state of Connecticut and one of only 483 hospitals across the entire country to receive the prestigious 5-star rating in CMS's Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2023.

“This top rating by CMS is a tremendous accomplishment and a remarkable demonstration of our caregivers’ commitment to exceptional patient-centered care” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel.

“Much to their credit, Griffin caregivers achieved this prestigious recognition while overcoming the challenges of a global pandemic. The pandemic resulted in a surge of patients facing psychiatric crises, an influx of more complex and critically ill patients, and a severe nursing shortage. Despite these challenges, Griffin's caregivers remained steadfast in their pursuit of delivering outstanding healthcare. They continued to prioritize quality patient care and were relentless in their effort to achieve high standards.”

The Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating by CMS evaluates hospitals based on multiple performance measures encompassing five crucial areas of patient care quality: mortality rates, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience, and the timeliness and effectiveness of care.

This comprehensive assessment results in an easy to understand rating of 1 to 5 stars that provides patients and their family with valuable insights into the relative overall performance of hospitals across the country.

Griffin Hospital's exceptional achievement in receiving the highest rating serves to highlight the importance of patient-centered care and the positive impact it can have on the lives of patients. It is a testament to the hospital's dedication to continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence, reaffirming its position as a premier health care provider in Connecticut.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.