BMC Achieves 4-Star Quality Rating from CMS

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has announced that Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) has been given a 4-star rating for overall quality by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), based on how the hospital has performed across several areas of quality.  
 
The overall star rating is based on how well a hospital performs across different areas of quality, such as treating heart attacks and pneumonia, readmission rates, and safety of care. BMC scored at or above the national average on mortality, safety of care and readmission rates and performed well in patient experience and timely and effective care. 
 
"This 4-star rating reflects the commitment of our physicians, nurses and staff to providing safe, compassionate care to our community," said Tejas Gandhi, BMC Chief Operating Officer. "We are incredibly proud that this recognition publicly affirms the exceptional care that our teams deliver to our patients day after day and the high standards for quality and safety that patients can expect from their community hospital." 
 
According to CMS: "The overall rating shows how well each hospital performed on an identified set of quality measures compared to other hospitals in the U.S. The more stars, the better a hospital performed on the available quality measures." 
 
To find out more, visit the CMS Hospital Compare website: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/initiatives/hospital-quality-initiative/hospital-compare.  

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Pittsfield: No E-Bikes on Sidewalk

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city will place signage downtown to remind people that e-bikes are not allowed on the sidewalk. 

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee heard an update about e-bike enforcement in response to a petition from Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn. 

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales confirmed that under Massachusetts law, it is illegal for any motorized bicycle, regardless of the class, to ride on the sidewalk. 

"So, at this point, we will start installing some signage in the North Street area," he reported. 

"Doing so for the whole city is going to be very cumbersome, and we're not going to be doing that, but I think there's something to be done in terms of education and outreach and enforcement citywide for that."

Pittsfield has begun to develop what that signage will look like in the downtown corridor. Amuso has received many complaints about the North Street and Elm Street areas; Morales said they could work to locate some key spots on Elm Street for signage. 

"I know it's a citywide problem, but I think if we start on North Street and work our way out and come up with a plan, that would be good," she said. 

The councilors petitioned to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids. 

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