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November 2020
Programs
In This Issue
New Level 1B Continuing Care Nursery

Why Should You Get a Flu Shot?

Keeping You Healthy This Winter

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery 

Treatments for Common Foot and Ankle Pain

New Specialists Join Medical Staff

Milford Regional’s Bridge Clinic for Opioid Use Disorder

MEDITECH E X P A N S E – Milford Regional’s New Electronic Medical Record

Milford Regional has Been the Recipient of Several Outstanding Awards This Year

Get to Know our Obstetrics & Gynecology Physicians
News Brief
New Level 1B Continuing Care Nursery
Milford Regional is pleased to announce the opening of our Level 1B Continuing Care Nursery.

While every parent looks forward to having a healthy baby born full term on their due date, sometimes babies arrive earlier than expected or have health concerns. Should the need arise, it’s reassuring to know that The Maternity Center at Milford Regional has a staff of highly trained nurses, physicians and respiratory therapists who are experts at caring for your newborn around the clock in our Level 1B Continuing Care Nursery.

Our Level 1B Continuing Care Nursery is designed to accommodate the extra care, comfort and needs of late preterm babies at 35 weeks and beyond, as well as those with health issues.  It is equipped with the latest technologies, including:
  • Cardiopulmonary monitors
  • LED phototherapy lights for elevated bilirubin levels
  • Radiant warming units
  • Resuscitation and stabilization care centers
  • IV infusion pumps
  • Isolettes
  • Donor milk
  • Oxygen therapy
It is also reassuring to know about Milford Regional’s partnership with Boston Children’s Physicians. We have Boston Children’s pediatric hospitalists on site 24/7 to check on your baby soon after birth. You can feel confident knowing that a Boston Children’s pediatric hospitalist will be assigned to care for your newborn during your stay in The Maternity Center. Read more about the Maternity Center at Milford Regional.
Question & Answer
Why Should You Get a Flu Shot?
This year, more than ever, it is important that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot. Many of the symptoms of the flu are similar to the COVID-19 virus. Patients will have to be tested for both diseases if they have symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine yet for COVID, but we do have the flu vaccine!

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. You may be able to spread flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Our best defense against the flu is the flu vaccine. You are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting your family and friends by getting the flu shot.

The staff at Milford Regional Medical Center and Milford Regional Physician Group is getting vaccinated to protect our home team, which includes our staff and all of you! Join us as we work together to keep our entire community healthy. The flu vaccine is available at your primary care physician’s office, many pharmacies, health clinics and college health centers. The flu season will begin very soon. Don’t delay…Get your flu shot today! Read more about the flu.
Healthy Living Tip
Keeping You Healthy This Winter
Diet and exercise is more important than ever this year - to keep you healthy while we continue the fight against the COVID-19 virus AND the seasonal flu. Many of us took a step back with good eating habits and regular exercise during the pandemic since gyms were closed and we had to stay home for many months. Dealing with anxiety led to weight gain and not staying in shape physically.

It is time to reverse some of the bad habits we may have fallen into the last few months and develop new routines to get back on track. For healthy eating think – fruits and vegetables such as blueberries and strawberries on whole wheat cereal, leafy greens such as kale and spinach, whole grain pasta and rice, beans, poultry and fish, nuts and seeds, and yogurt.

Increase your physical activity by taking a daily walk, run or bike ride. If you have children at home, have them join you. They need the exercise too. It establishes a good routine and everyone enjoys some family time out of the house. Need to cook dinner so you don’t have time to exercise? Cook on the weekends and eat leftovers during the week, or start meal prep in the morning so you have time after work to exercise.

As the cold weather moves in, you may be less motivated to exercise outside. Search the internet for exercise videos and virtual fitness programs. Set up part of a room in your house with exercise equipment such as dumbbells, a kettle bell, resistance bands or jump rope. You don’t need large, expensive equipment.

Whatever form of exercise you choose, remember it won't necessarily keep you healthy unless you also reduce consumption of fatty and sugary foods that can raise your risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure — all COVID-19 risk factors.
Patient Story: Oncoplastic Breast Surgery 
Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer after having a mammogram, ultrasound and a biopsy. She was referred to Breast Surgeon Diana Caragacianu, MD at Milford Regional’s Breast Center. To Laura's relief, Dr. Caragacianu gave her an option to have oncoplastic surgery; a procedure performed at the time of a lumpectomy to sculpt and restore the normal appearance of the treated breast. “It’s amazing how the surgery turned out. I am so glad I made the decision I did. I wanted my breasts to look perfect and they are!” notes Laura. “I really didn’t know if I could handle going back to do the reconstruction at another time.”
Featured Video
Treatments for Common Foot and Ankle Pain
Your feet and ankles are complex, weight-bearing body parts that are susceptible to pain and injury. Michael Sganga, DPM, is a skilled podiatrist with extensive training in foot and ankle surgery. From bunions and broken bones to torn Achilles tendons and ingrown toenails, Dr. Sganga treats a variety of conditions. Watch this video to learn about the latest in podiatric medicine, as well as surgical and non-surgical treatments that will help keep you active and on your feet!
Good Things to Know
New Specialists Join Medical Staff
Since our last e-newsletter (pre-pandemic), we have had many new physicians join Milford Regional’s medical staff. 
We have new doctors in:
  • Neurology – Drs. Sternberg and Ahlawat
  • Neurosurgery – Drs. Moses and Slavin
  • Orthopedics – Dr. Stoker
  • Vascular surgery – Dr. Jones
  • Podiatry – Dr. Bergman. 

For many of these physicians appointments for new patients are readily available. To learn more about these fine physicians, see our Find A Doctor section on our website.
Milford Regional’s Bridge Clinic for Opioid Use Disorder
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder has been proven to save lives. Treatment options include buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone, and methadone.

Patients dealing with opioid addiction who are seen in the emergency department (ED) for an
opioid overdose, withdrawal or any other medical emergency may be started on treatment in the emergency department by one of our specially trained emergency medicine physicians.

In addition, Milford Regional Medical Center has partnered with Spectrum Health Systems, a leading provider of substance abuse treatment in Massachusetts, to offer patients an innovative approach to addiction treatment close to home. Our newly-opened Bridge Clinic is now seeing patients in Milford at 200 East Main Street to provide rapid access to lifesaving Medication-assisted treatment.

An ED visit is not necessary to begin treatment at our Bridge Clinic. Call Spectrum at 1-877-MyRehab or 1-877-697-3422 and select option #2 to make an appointment or visit Spectrumhealthsystems.org. For more substance use disorder resources, see our website. 
MEDITECH E X P A N S E – Milford Regional’s New Electronic Medical Record
This state-of-the-art EMR platform went live at Milford Regional on October 1, 2020. It enhances patient care through a full integration of patient’s medical information within the hospital.  Patients’ medical information in both the inpatient and outpatient setting are now combined within one record. In addition, the EMR increases the safety of care delivery through enhanced clinical decision support, improved access to information, improved transitions, improvements in efficiency and elimination of redundancies.

The system also communicates seamlessly with other health care facilities and systems through a connection to the Common Well Health Alliance, a Health Information Exchange.

As we transition to this new system, patients may experience delays with service orders, registration, scheduling tests and labs. Please be patient with our staff as they work hard to integrate this new electronic medical record system.
Milford Regional has Been the Recipient of Several Outstanding Awards This Year
US News and World Report
Milford Regional Medical Center has been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings, now in their 6th year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for common conditions and elective procedures. Milford Regional earned a “High Performing” ratings for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure, in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. “High Performing” is the highest rating U.S. News awards for those types of care. Read more
Leapfrog Patient Safety
Milford Regional Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. This is the fourth consecutive time Milford Regional has received an ‘A’ for this national distinction recognizing Milford Regional’s achievements providing safer health care.

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. Read more
Get with the Guidelines Stroke award
Milford Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Milford Regional earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. Read more
About Our Doctors
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Milford Regional's active medical staff, consisting of over 250 doctors, is highly qualified to treat you and your family through sickness and in health. Whether you need a primary care physician or a specialist, you can be assured of the best possible care.

Get to Know our Obstetrics & Gynecology Physicians
Physicians who specialize in obstetrics & gynecology are skilled and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the female reproductive system, as well as managing pregnancy and childbirth. Most OB/GYNs treat patients from the teenage years through menopause and beyond. In addition, OB/GYNs are surgeons who perform an array of procedures to treat various gynecological conditions. Meet our Ob/Gyn physicians.
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