Griffinhospital's List: Surgery News

Griffin Hospital Bariatrics outlines seven effective habits to help weight loss surgery patients lose, or keep off weight after a bariatric surgery procedure.

(Sep 21, 2011 - 7:44 PM) Griffin Hospital was recently named one of the nation's top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. This is the first time that The Joint Commission is recognizing top performers and including them in its "Improving America's Hospitals" annual report. The Joint Commission is recognized as the industry's standard setter. Griffin was one of 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals earning the distinction for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance and the only Connecticut hospital named.

(September 15, 2011) - Griffin Hospital was named one of the nation's top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America.

Griffin Hospital was one of 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals earning the distinction for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance and the only Connecticut hospital named.

This is the first time that The Joint Commission, the healthcare industry's standard setter, is recognizing top performers and including them in its "Improving America's Hospitals" annual report.

Griffin Hospital was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve the effectiveness of care for certain conditions including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. Inclusion on the list is based on an aggregation of public accountability measure data reported to The Joint Commission during the previous calendar year, in this case 2010. ...

(July 28, 2011) - Board Certified colorectal surgeon John Aversa, MD was the first surgeon in New England to implant a pacemaker-like device to help control fecal incontinence following the April 2011 approval of this new treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA approved the treatment after a 12-month, 120-patient study that proved its effectiveness.

Dr. Aversa, who practices with Ciardiello, Bonadies & Aversa Surgery Group, PC, with offices in Derby, Hamden and Guilford, was one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform the life-altering InterStim® procedure off-study since the FDA approval. He...

(December 30, 2010) - A question and answer session with Dr. Andrew Levi, board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility as well as obstetrics and gynecology, will highlight the Tuesday, January 11, 6:30pm Health Empowerment Series talk "What You Need to Know about Fertility Treatment!" There are many different types of fertility treatment, ranging from conservative approaches to the most cutting-edge technologic options. Dr. Levi will discuss which treatment options are most appropriate for patients based on age, diagnosis, and prior treatments.

On Thursday, January 20, Dr. James R. Pinke...

(January 24, 2011) - Griffin Hospital will present "Advances in Breast Care" at 6:30 pm Thursday, February 10.  This free health talk, which is part of the Griffin's popular Health Empowerment Series, will be presented by fellowship-trained breast surgeon Zandra Cheng, MD, FACS.

Dr. Cheng, Medical Director of the new Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital,will discuss the latest advances in breast care and breast wellness, as well as the comprehensive range of services provided at Griffin Hospital's new Center.

Dr. Cheng is board-certified in General Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is accredited in breast ultrasound by the American Society of Breast Surgery. Dr. Cheng comes to Griffin Hosptial from Annapolis, Maryland, where she has...

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DERBY, CT (October 14, 2010) - Learn from the experts at the Health Empowerment Series designed to encourage attendees to be active participants in their health care and to educate them on some of the latest treatments and procedures being used at Griffin Hospital. All sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. To register, call Griffin Hospital Infosource at 203.732.1511 or register online at www.griffinhealth.org. Click on Programs & Events.

The upcoming Health Empowerment Series includes:

Wednesday, Oct. 20 - "Trouble Going: A Surgical Approach to Constipation and Incontinence." Constipation and incontinence are common medical conditions; however, many people choose not to seek the assistance of their doctor. Careful evaluation by a qualified specialist is essential to achieving effective treatment. In this talk, Dr. John Aversa...

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DERBY, CT (September 17, 2010) - Griffin Bariatrics will host a free health fair for weight loss surgery patients from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 28 at Griffin Hospital.

Timothy Ehrlich, MD, FACS, Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Griffin Hospital, will host this special health fair and introduce Griffin Bariatrics' new "Back on Track" Program, which features a comprehensive menu of support services that are available to all post-operative patients who would like to get "back on track" to healthier weight loss and weight management.

The Health Fair will feature a series of educational and interactive demonstrations including:

High-protein cooking
Guided imagery
Vitamin/supplement education
Low-impact exercise...

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DERBY, CT (AUGUST 19, 2010) - The first two offerings in the fall/winter Health Empowerment Series at Griffin Hospital have been announced.

"Behind the Pain: A Close Look at Hemorrhoids and Fissures," will be presented on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. by John M. Aversa, Jr., D.O. Dr. Aversa is a board-certified colo-rectal surgeon with offices in Derby. In this talk he discusses causes, symptoms and treatment of hemorrhoids, fissures and similar ailments and the many forms of treatment including a minimally invasive surgical approach.
"Arthritis and Join Pain" is the topic for Ignatius Komninakas, M.D....

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DERBY, CT (August 16, 2010) - Griffin Hospital will offer a Fall session of its free 10-week "Mini-Med School" course beginning Thursday, September 16, 2010. The free course, which will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions by various Griffin Hospital physicians who serve as faculty, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:00 pm in the hospital's Meditation and Learning Center. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a "graduation" ceremony for participants on November 18.

The course is specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, providing a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention. Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

This is the seventh time Griffin Hospital has offered...

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DERBY, CT (June 9, 2010) - Griffin Hospital today announced it has been recognized by the Premier healthcare alliance as a winner of the Premier Award for Quality (AFQ). Griffin Hospital is one of 23 hospital winners and three healthcare systems nationwide putting it in the top 1% of the nation's hospitals and the only Connecticut hospital to receive the award.

There were 3,788 hospitals and 346 healthcare systems that were eligible to receive the AFQ. The award recognizes leading healthcare organizations that efficiently provide outstanding patient care and consistently set the standard in clinical excellence.

The AFQ's performance-based criteria including clinical quality outcomes, resource utilization, and clinical process indicators measures top performers at the overall hospital level.

"Griffin Hospital not only strives to exceed patient expectations by providing an exceptional patient experience, but also superior clinical outcomes and a strong emphasis on patient safety and privacy

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DERBY, CT (April 16, 2010) - The Bariatric Surgery Center at Griffin Hospital will host a Weight Loss Surgery Health Fair from 6:00 - 9:00 pm Thursday, April 29, at the Trumbull Marriott, 180 Hawley Lane in Trumbull. The free event is open to all weight loss surgery patients and those considering weight loss surgery.

The Health Fair will feature keynote speaker Khaliah Ali, lap-band weight loss surgery patient and daughter of legendary heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Ms. Ali, who is also an Emmy-nominated talk show host, former Ford model, and a fashion designer with her own line of clothing, will describe her life-long struggle with obesity, which she chronicled in her book, "Fighting Weight," published by Harper Collins.

Bariatric surgeon Timothy Ehrlich, MD, FACS, Director of the Bariatric Surgery Center at Griffin Hospital, will moderate a Q&A session with Ms. Ali, and also discuss the latest bariatric surgery options available for patients.

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DERBY, CT (April 14, 2010) - Registration is underway for several upcoming Health Empowerment Series topics scheduled in April and May. Interested members of the general public are invited to attend these free informational talks designed to inform you about some of the latest treatments and procedures being offered at Griffin Hospital and to empower you to play a more active role in managing your own health.

Upcoming topics include:

“Why Do My Legs Hurt?” on Wednesday, April 21, at 6:30pm, by Dr. Michael A. Sergi, a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon. Dr. Sergi will discuss venous and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a slow and progressive circulation disorder which affects about 10 million people in the US. Conditions associated...

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DERBY, CT (April 5, 2010) - Griffin Hospital's new Bariatric Surgery Center is offering free Weight Loss Seminars to help individuals struggling with obesity take the first step toward a lifetime of healthier living. Upcoming seminars, offered as part of Griffin Hospital's ongoing Health Empowerment Series, will be held Wednesday, April 7, at the Trumbull Marriott, and Monday, April 12 at Griffin Hospital. Both seminars begin at 6:00 pm.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one third of U.S. adults - more than 72 million people - and 16% of U.S. children are obese. Since 1980, obesity rates for adults have doubled and rates for children have tripled. In Connecticut, the CDC reports that obesity rates have risen from 10-14% of the state's population in 1999, to 15-19% in 2000, to 20-24% in 2008.

Griffin Hospital developed its new Bariatric Surgery

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DERBY, CT (February 26, 2010) - Snoring, chronic knee or hip pain, hospitalization of the elderly and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are the focus of an upcoming series of free talks for the general public by Griffin Hospital physicians and professional staff. Part of the hospital's ongoing Health Empowerment Series, all programs take place at 6:30 pm (unless otherwise specified) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, CT. Register online or by calling (203)732-1511.

The current series includes:

Thursday, March 11, "Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" with Dr. Marya Chaisson, Medical Director...

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DERBY, CT (February 10, 2010) - The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the cancer program at Griffin Hospital.
The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital received the Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor, during which the Center demonstrated a Commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of its cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement).
"We are very pleased to receive this CoC Accreditation with Commendation, which recognizes the comprehensive model of care we have put in place at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital," said Marge Deegan, Vice President for Ambulatory Services. "The Center recently celebrated its first year of service to the community...

DERBY, CT (December 15, 2009) - If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from sleepless nights due to snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, blurred vision due to cataracts, or painful joints due to arthritis, here's an opportunity for a face-to-face discussion with an expert in the field. Griffin Hospital's ongoing Health Empowerment Series - presented by Griffin Hospital physicians to empower people to make informed decisions about their health care - offers the latest information on the diagnosis and treatment of these and other topics.

Upcoming sessions include:

"Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" on January 7, featuring pulmonologist and sleep specialist Dr. K. Marya Chaisson
"Is Your Best Vision Ahead of You?", on January 13

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DERBY, CT (Autust 18, 2009) - Evelyn Amico of Ansonia didn't welcome the news that she needed gallbladder surgery, recalling the experiences of friends and family who had undergone the procedure in years past. While she had heard of the less invasive laparoscopic procedures used more commonly today, she still wasn't looking forward to the idea of surgery and the recovery period, which would take her away from her weekly golf game. But when her surgeon, Leland Soto, M.D., suggested that she might be an ideal candidate for Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) at Griffin Hospital, she began to feel much better.

With the new procedure, Dr. Soto is able to perform laparoscopic surgery through a small single incision in the bellybutton or another hidden site. After undergoing SILS surgery, there is no visible scar, less postoperative pain and fewer potential wound-related complications that can arise from traditional four-incision laparoscopic surgery. "By reducing the number of incisions from four to one, there's a quicker return to normal activities," says Dr. Soto.

Evelyn, 79, was one of Dr. Soto's first SILS patients at Griffin Hospital after

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DERBY, CT (August 3, 2009) - The Fall 2009 session of Griffin Hospital's popular "Mini-Med School" course will begin Thursday, September 17, 2009. The free course, which will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions by various Griffin Hospital physicians who serve as faculty, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:00 pm in the hospital's Meditation and Learning Center. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a "graduation" ceremony for participants on November 19.

The course is specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, providing a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention. Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

This is the sixth time Griffin

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DERBY, CT (June 19, 2009) - Griffin Hospital is hosting a 100th Birthday Party on Saturday, June 27, from 11 am to 3 pm and the entire community is invited. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour Griffin Hospital's new Clinical Laboratory and the completed Phase I of the Emergency Department. The final phase of this three-year project, which began in 2007 and included the opening of the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Services Pavilion and the Center for Cancer Care last October, will coincide with the centennial celebration at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the move into the new Clinical Laboratory was completed this week along with Phase I of the Emergency Department expansion including the new Emergency Department lobby and half of the treatment rooms. When fully completed, the Emergency Department expansion will increase the size ...