Join us for the 30th Annual Bridgton Hospital Golf Tournament – the hospital’s premier annual fundraiser attracting local leaders from the business, political, public, and not-for-profit communities. Tournament Proceeds will enable Bridgton Hospital to purchase critical trauma equipment for the Emergency Department including a big wheel stretcher for LifeFlight patients and a LUCAS (hands-free) chest compression system.
CMH News
The New Cancer Care Center at Central Maine Medical Center is Now Treating Patients
Central Maine Medical Center’s new, state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer treatment center is now open, promising to improve both the hospital’s capacity and quality of care. The Cancer Care Center brings CMMC’s surgical oncology, radiation oncology and chemotherapy units together under one roof, an improvement for patients who walk across campus to access cancer services on opposite ends. The need for two new linear accelerators — machines used to target radiation at tumors with pinpoint accuracy — was partly responsible for the construction of the cancer center. CMMC’s current linear accelerators have become outdated, and new models are too large to fit in the same space.
Totaling $4.2 million, the two new linear accelerators are the most striking examples of the center’s cutting-edge treatment technology. Both are estimated to last just 10 years before replacements are necessary, according to John Hamilton, vice president for oncology and surgical services at Central Maine Healthcare, CMMC’s parent company.
“We have a lot of capabilities with these new machines to expand our capabilities and delivering new or higher-end treatments as those come online,” he said. “This is a long-term investment, and we’re very, very excited about it.
The center also boasts 24 suites for chemotherapy infusions, five more than the hospital currently has. They are in an aesthetically appealing, naturally lit space. While receiving treatment, patients will have access to TV, Wi-Fi and radio to help pass the time. The space is slightly curved, mirroring the double helix shape of DNA. “Helix represents not only science, but life and hope,” said Hector Tarraza, chief oncology institute physician.
The design and functionality of the infusion area was especially important when creating the center’s designs. “Our staff bonds to these patients tremendously,” Hamilton said. “You can imagine seeing somebody on a daily basis or weekly basis or monthly basis for years on end, they really become a part of their families. In and of itself, we wanted to provide a space that is the best place away from home.” CMMC sees over 100 patients each day for cancer care, according to Hamilton, with about 8,000 radiation treatments performed every year.
The Dempsey Center, a Lewiston-based nonprofit organization that provides free support services for people with cancer and their families, will also have a resource center on the first floor of the building. “You won’t go anywhere else in New England and find a nicer cancer care center. We went and traveled to a lot of them to look and see what we wanted to do. You will not find a better place.”
The new cancer center will additionally benefit Central Maine Healthcare’s regional cancer treatment facilities in Bridgton and Rumford by bringing more specialized staff into the hospital system, said Peter Wright, vice president of operations for CMMC and president of Bridgton and Rumford hospitals. Specialists hired at the new cancer center will also work in the regional hospitals.
“With the program that we have, we’re able to rotate super specialists … out into all of our markets, so we can bring that level of subspecialty,” he said. “Pretty much everything that’s done here (in Lewiston), with the exception of the radiation oncology, can be done in Bridgton and Rumford.”
“That’s even more important because … from Bridgton and Rumford, it’s an hour’s drive,” he said. “We don’t want patients being treated for cancer to have to drive an hour two, three times a week. So those satellite outposts that we have at each of the regional hospitals is tremendously important to bring the care locally and bring that level of expertise locally.”
The $37 million center was built by Bateman Partners, a commercial real estate developer based in Portland. The hospital will lease the center over the next 20 years. Originally proposed in 2019, the state approved CMMC’s proposal in 2020, with construction beginning later that year. The cancer center opened for patient care June 6.
Learn more about our Cancer Care Center and providers.
Excerpt from ‘New CMMC cancer center”; www.sunjournal.com/2022/05/12/you-will-not-find-a-better-place-new-cmmc-cancer-center-to-open-in-june/
CMMC is a Mothers’ Milk Bank Donor Site
Donate your breast milk and “Share the Health” with other babies in the northeast.
Currently, there is an infant formula shortage in the US and donating breast milk is a much-needed resource. Central Maine Medical Center is Pleased to be a Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast’s Donor Milk Depot.
A Donor Milk Depot, or milk bank, collects breast milk from mothers who have more than their babies need, then screens, pasteurizes, and tests the milk, after which it is dispensed primarily to premature and sick babies whose mothers do not have enough milk for them.
The team at Central Maine Medical Center makes it convenient and easy for screened moms to donate. Simply schedule a drop-off by calling the Lactation Office at 207-795-2528. A CMMC team member will meet you car side for your drop-off appointment. There is no need to get out of the car to donate and appointments take less than five minutes.
Getting started with donating milk is an easy four-step process. Check out the basic guidelines here: Donate Breast Milk • Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast
The Milk Donation Depot is located in the Special Delivery Family Birthing Center at Central Maine Medical Center, 60 High Street, Lewiston.
Appointments are available on Tuesday and Thursday. Screened donors can schedule a drop-off by calling the Lactation Office at 207-795-2528.
The Rumford Hospital Auxiliary’s Annual Yard Sale is May 21 and we’re still accepting items!
The Rumford Hospital Auxiliary is seeking items for its annual yard sale to be held Saturday, May 21. Furniture, household items, tools, books and puzzles are always in demand. It’s a great time to clean out storage spaces and help support our worthy cause. All proceeds are donated to the Rumford Hospital.
Members of the auxiliary will be at 209 Lincoln Ave. in Rumford each Friday morning throughout May to accept donations from the public. We are unable to take large appliances or clothing. For more information or to arrange pickup please call 364-3648.
National hospital safety watchdog group once again gives Central Maine Medical Center an “A” grade
Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) received its eighth consecutive “A” – the highest grade possible – for hospital safety from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction recognizes CMMC’s success with protecting patients from harm and errors in the hospital.
“This is a remarkable achievement for CMMC, but should come as no surprise,” said Steve Littleson, DBA, FACHE, president and CEO of Central Maine Healthcare. “It is a validation of the extraordinary work our team members do every day on behalf of our patients. Getting eight consecutive “A” grades is impressive enough. But to be recognized for maintaining these high standards throughout the pandemic and other challenges facing the entire healthcare industry speaks volumes about the quality of care we provide at CMMC.”
“The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, injuries, accidents and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
Only about half of Maine hospitals receive a Leapfrog hospital safety grade.
“I could not be prouder of our entire team,” said Central Maine Healthcare Chief Medical Officer John L. Alexander, MD, MHCM, FACEP. “Patient safety is the main consideration in everything that happens here, so it is very encouraging to be recognized once again by the Leapfrog Group.”
In late 2021, the Leapfrog Group announced Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital, both part of the Central Maine Healthcare system, were among the group’s Top Rural Hospitals.
Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute- care hospitals twice a year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent. The results are free to the public.
About Central Maine Medical Center
Central Maine Medical Center located in Lewiston, is a Level II Trauma Center serving Androscoggin County and the surrounding region. CMMC’s “Centers of Excellence” include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, the Central Maine Cancer Center, and a Trauma Services Program. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service. Supported by the latest technologies, CMMC’s skilled professionals provide outstanding care delivered with compassion, kindness, and understanding. Learn more at: www.cmmc.org.
About Central Maine Healthcare
Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 400,000 people living in central, western, and mid-coast Maine. CMH’s hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization. Other system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a regional trauma program, LifeFlight of Maine’s southern Maine base, the Central Maine Cancer Center, and other high-quality clinical services. Learn more at www.cmhc.org.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
CMHC Celebrates Nurse Week 2022
We are spending the week honoring our staff; the people who exemplify the qualities of being rooted in strength. The work they do keeps our healthcare system moving against all obstacles. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼.
Denise Higgins RN, Periop Educator and Kathleen Henning RN, OR
Jessica Rankin RN, Pediatric Adult Medical
Kayla Jones BSN, RN, CFRN, CEN, Flight Nurse, ED
Events will be hosted all week so that our nurses can be recognized by the communities that they live, work, and heal in.
