BMC Earns 2021 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for Outstanding Quality and Safety

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Berkshire Medical Center was named a Top Teaching Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. 
 
Announced Wednesday, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers recognized as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.
 
Berkshire Medical Center is one of only four Massachusetts hospitals honored with a Top Teaching Hospital award and the only one in Western Massachusetts. This is the second time in a row that Leapfrog has awarded BMC a Top Teaching Hospital recognition.
 
"Berkshire Medical Center has a long history of providing safe and high-quality care to our community," said James Lederer, MD, Berkshire Health Systems Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "The Top Teaching Hospitals are measured by a rigorous set of standards, including ICU physician staffing, receiving an "A" grade in the Leapfrog Patient Safety ratings, having high standards for high-risk surgeries and procedures and others. We are proud of our providers and support staff for this continuing recognition of their excellence in patient care." 
 
Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, Berkshire Medical Center received a Top Teaching Hospital distinction. A total of 149 top hospitals nationwide were selected as Top Hospitals, including:
  • 8 Top Children's
  • 46 Top General
  • 23 Top Rural
  • 72 Top Teaching
The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, surgery, maternity care, and the hospital's capacity to prevent medication and other errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year's Top Hospital Methodology.
 
"We are pleased to recognize Berkshire Medical Center as a Top Hospital this year," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "Even with the continued strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Berkshire Medical Center has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to excellent healthcare in the Berkshire County community. We congratulate the board, leadership, staff and clinicians who put their patients first."
 
To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2021 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

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