BHS Hospitals Recognized With Awards

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital have received nine American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines achievement awards for demonstrating Commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital. 
 
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. Studies show patients can
recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines. 
 
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As participants in the Get With The Guidelines program, BMC and Fairview qualified for the awards by demonstrating how each entity has committed to improving quality care. 
 
"Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital are committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes," said James Lederer, MD, Berkshire Health Systems Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer. "The Get With The Guidelines program makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps
us ensure more people in the Berkshire region experience longer, healthier lives."  
 
This year, Berkshire Medical Center received the following achievement awards: 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Heart Failure Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Silver 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Resuscitation Silver 
 
 
Fairview Hospital received the following achievement awards: 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Heart Failure Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Silver 
 
Get With The Guidelines - Rural Stroke Silver  
 
Get With The Guidelines - Rural Coronary Artery Disease Bronze 
 
"These awards show Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital's commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care," said Donald Lloyd-Jones, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern Medicine. "By following the American Heart Association's quality improvement protocols, BMC and Fairview can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities." 
 

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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