The William W. Backus Hospital Annual Report 2005
This is where our future begins.

Message from the President of Medical Staff

James M. Healy, MD, Medical Staff President

As I complete my first year as President of The William W. Backus Hospital Medical Staff, I am encouraged with the integral role our physicians played in helping determine the healthcare needs of the community and how we, as a community hospital, will meet them.

As Backus Hospital embarked on its major expansion efforts, our physicians shared their insights and expertise. Many physicians visited the sample rooms created early in the design phase, and provided useful feedback that has been incorporated into the plans. The result is a project that adeptly addresses the needs of everyone involved; physicians, employees, volunteers and — most importantly — our patients and their families.

I would also like to congratulate members of our Medical Staff, nurses and other clinicians for all they have done to make Backus Hospital one of the best performing hospitals nationwide, according to federal statistics on heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia care. Twice in the past year, Backus Hospital has been named among the nation's best for the care it provides, and our skilled physicians are a major reason for this honor.

Physicians' support of Backus Hospital's continued technological advancements, especially the creation of an Electronic Medical Record, is also worthy of note. While many hospitals throughout the country are still debating how such a system might be implemented, members of the Backus Medical Staff are putting this technology to use every day. In addition to making pertinent clinical information readily available, these information system enhancements can play a role in greater patient safety.

Our Medical Staff remains dedicated to patient safety. Our physicians fully endorsed the six interventions recommended by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in its 100K Lives Campaign, including Rapid Response Teams — known by some as the Medical Emergency Teams — a group of clinicians who quickly bring critical care expertise to the patient’s bedside.

The events of the past year make me feel privileged to represent my colleagues, a very talented group of doctors who provide high quality healthcare on a daily basis. I thank them for all their efforts in the past year, and for their support of the expansion project, which will shape our future in one way or another for years to come.

On behalf of my colleagues, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Backus Hospital's many dedicated nurses, clinicians, staff and volunteers, who provide care for patients and exceptional support to our Medical Staff on a daily basis.

To our Hospital's Administration and our Board of Trustees, I offer thanks for continued leadership and all their hard work on behalf of our community's health.

James M. Healy, MD,
Medical Staff President