Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 30, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 5 B R I E FS St. Vincent, Heywood are region's safest hospitals Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Heywood Hospital in Gardner and Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick received A grades in April from the Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit tracking hospitals for how well they take steps to avoid patient harm, surgical problems and a number of other criteria. UMass Memorial Medical Center's Memorial and University campuses in Worcester each received a B, while three others received a C: Milford Regional Medical Center, HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster and MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. e scores are given twice per year. Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, UMass Memorial - Marlborough Hospi- tal in Marlborough and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer were not includ- ed in Leapfrog's letter-grade ratings. Saint Vincent has received all A grades nine times in a row, and in the Tobacco regulations hurt businesses e Worcester City Council has approved a ban on flavored tobacco products at 266 retail locations in the city to prevent underage tobacco use, and the Board of Health approved the ban on April 23. e Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, however, opposed the idea, saying it could result in a loss of $5 million in sundry products purchased along with tobacco products. When polled online, more than two-thirds of WBJ readers said the new restrictions are harmful to the economy. F L AS H P O L L "The tobacco industry is obviously attempting to grow a new generation of people addicted to their unhealthy products. They are targeting your children and grandchildren." COMMENTS: Should Worcester have banned flavored tobacco in retail stores? most recent report, it scored best in ar- eas rating it on having enough qualified nurses on staff, communication about medicines and having few instances of safety issues such as patient falls. "I believe receiving this designation for the last five years is a testament to our patients that we are providing them with the highest level of safety and care when they come into our hospital," Saint Vincent CEO Jeffrey Welch said in a statement. Yes. They are harmful and primarily marketed to young people. 31% Continued on next page Webster • Dudley • Oxford • Auburn • Worcester • Shrewsbury Developing long-term partnerships with his customers, so he can be a trusted resource as they grow their businesses. At Webster Five, your success is important to us. Whether you're a small start-up or a large corporation, we offer all the financial tools, resources and progressive services you need to succeed. Make an appointment and tell Alex what's important to you. Visit web5.com/Alex or call 508.438.4725. What's important to Alex? Alex Cruz, AVP, Business Lending Officer KHJ23479_WEB-374_BuisLender_4.3x5.5_Mech2.indd 1 3/31/17 11:38 AM "These fools vote to stop flavored tobacco from being sold, but open the city to marijuana for the pot heads and those users driving under the influence of the marijuana drug. Why? Just for the money from the marijuana industry." "It's similar to the marijuana laws. If you don't allow a business to to engage in a legal practice, then you shouldn't be entitled to share in the tax revenues that are generated. Can't have it both ways." No. They are legal and banning them harms businesses. 69% Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester received an A grade from the Leapfrog Group for its patient safety.

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