Berkshire Medical Center Again Recognized for Straight A’s in Safety

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C-based organization aiming to improve healthcare quality and safety for consumers and purchasers, has announced the Spring 2018 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades and awarded Berkshire Medical Center the elite designation of “A” for its continued achievement in patient safety. 

BMC is one of only 49 “Straight A” hospitals in the United States to be awarded an “A” every grading cycle since 2012. 

“This consistent recognition for patient safety is reflective of the dedication our care team has to providing nothing but the best and safest care possible,” said David Phelps, president and chief executive officer of Berkshire Health Systems. “I congratulate and thank our physicians, nurses and all support staff who have and continue to contribute to this commitment to excellence, which places BMC among an elite group of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.”

Only a very select group of hospitals nationally continue to earn an A Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade year after year, said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.

“It shows an unbroken commitment to protecting patients from preventable errors and accidents that harm and even kill too many people in our country every day,” Binder said. “Thanks to Berkshire Medical Center for always putting your patients first.” 

The Safety Grade assigns letter grades of A, B, C, D and F to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms. Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to approximately 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

To see more details on Berkshire Medical Center’s performance, and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients, visit the website and follow The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade on Twitter and Facebook.


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Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation. 
 
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School. 
 
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks. 
 
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan. 
 
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about. 
 
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said. 
 
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom. 
 
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