Health

24 HEALTH • November 30, 2015 Worcester Physical Therapy: Nov Issue Mock Up, ¼ pg Headline/sub-headline font: Bebas body copy font: Roboto Condensed, regular and bold CMYK: Navy Blue text: 100.90.0.50 / background gradient: 65.30.0.0 We're Certified in Ergonomics Assessments. Let Our Experts Help Your Business – Call Us Today Worcester Physical Therapy 30 Glennie St. Worcester MA 01605 508.791.8740 | Worcpt.com Don't you want to increase your sales? The Treatment You Need. The Care You Deserve. Evaluate your office setup for maximum functionality of employees & their daily tasks Identify where improvements can be made to increase employee productivity and sales Reduce employee health claims & absenteeism In our experience, no one says, "I don't want any more sales for my business this year." It's usually the opposite. Increase your bottom line with an Ergonomics Assessment Health care close to home N othing is as important as your health and the health of your loved ones. Accordingly, you shouldn't compromise when you choose the right healthcare providers and facilities. However, it's a challenge to find the perfect formula regarding healthcare factors that are most impor- tant to individuals and families—con- venience, compassion, and comfort on one hand; and quality, safety, and affordability on the other. One of the most important consid- erations is proximity of care. While consumers are becoming more informed, there are lingering myths about levels of care. Some feel that to receive optimal care, they must travel to a major medical center in Boston or Worcester. There are instances when large, academic teaching hospitals, which specialize in research and clini- cal trials, may be preferred acute care options. These circumstances include unknown or unusual diagnoses, rare diseases, and possible insurance cov- erage matters. In cases like these, it is important that your local providers and hospitals have affiliations with academic centers to facilitate prompt referrals and coor- dinate integrated care. For example, Harrington HealthCare System, which is based in Southbridge and serves 21 communities in South Central Massachusetts, has contracts and part- nerships with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children's Hospital in Boston (for radiology) as well as UMass Memorial in Worcester (radiation oncology services at the Cancer Center at Harrington). Other community hospitals have similar partnerships with large hospitals. For example, Milford Regional Medical Center is host to a Dana Farber/ Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, and UMass Memorial Medical Center provides services, like remote patient monitoring, at community hospitals throughout the region. Close to Home Still, outstanding care is indeed avail- able close to home. Some community hospitals, typically known for their convenience, personalized care, and lower costs, have quality records that rival or even surpass those of the larg- er, big-city medical centers. And they typically offer the benefits of not hav- ing to travel far, fight traffic, or pay for parking. When you're undergoing debilitating treatments for cancer or other serious, chronic conditions, it certainly makes sense for you to focus on your disease and not stress out when you don't have to. Harrington is an example of a com- munity healthcare system that's invest- ed in advanced technology, infrastruc- ture, satellite offices, and outstanding physicians. When considering a local healthcare provider, we advise you to check several criteria, including: • Wide service area and local, modern facilities, including conveniently located emergency departments and urgent care centers; • Wide offering of inpatient and surgical specialties as well as strong programs for mental health, women's healthcare, and pain management; • Strong outpatient physician practices with offices located throughout the area; • Active board of directors and auxiliary committee; • Community involvement; • Financial stability All community hospitals—and major medical centers, for that matter—are not created equal. For that reason, you should consult with physicians, friends, and insurers. Check physician credentials, including board certifica- tion. Review general healthcare resources, including Consumer Reports, Leapfrog, and HealthGrades, as well as cancer information available from the American Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Institute. When it comes to your health, you need to advocate for your best inter- ests and perform due diligence. What you may find is that the best of all worlds is in your own backyard. Ed Moore is CEO of Southbridge- based Harrington HealthCare System. For more information, visit www.harringtonhospital.org. CONSUMER ADVICE By Ed Moore

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