January 26, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cooley Dickinson, MNA Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the Massachusetts Nurses Association reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract at approximately 2 am Tuesday, reflecting mutual commitment on both sides to settle the contract.

The tentative agreement was reached after a long session during which issues regarding staffing and wages were worked out, some with assistance from a federal mediator.

“After many long months of meetings and give-an

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Two independent rating organizations separately verify that patients who choose Cooley Dickinson Hospital for their health needs receive better quality and safer outcomes, even as the hospital has reduced the cost of care.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital is among the 2011 Top Performing Hospitals in the Premier healthcare alliance’s national QUEST collaborative.

NORTHAMPTON – Cooley Dickinson Hospital's MRI departments in Amherst and Northampton have each earned three-year accreditations in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following independent reviews by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The accreditation validates CDH's expertise in performing advanced diagnostic imaging studies. Breast MRI offers valuable information about conditions that may not be obtained by other imaging studies, such as mammography or ultrasound.

AMHERST – Community members are invited to participate in an orientation session to learn the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction in advance of an eight-week course that begins February 1. 

The free orientation sessions will be offered, with no registration required, on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 9 to 11 a.m.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – As Cooley Dickinson Hospital reports nine months of data, the trend is clear: The implementation of portable ultraviolet light technology to disinfect patient rooms dramatically reduces the risk of acquiring Clostridium difficile (C.diff) during a hospital stay.

At Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH), the chances of acquiring any infection during or after a hospital stay are significantly less than 1 percent compared to a 5+percent risk in general in the nation.

NORTHAMPTON - Cooley Dickinson Hospital awarded $59,000 in grants to nine initiatives to help Hampshire and Franklin residents eat better and move more.

The grants were awarded in two categories: capacity-building awards and community projects.

The goal of the capacity building grants is to identify ways local communities can improve systems and begin working together to address some of the root causes of poor health.

NORTHAMTON, Mass. – On Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m., community members are invited to Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s main entrance to participate in the 13th annual Trees of Love & Thanksgiving tree lighting ceremony. At this festive event, 2,000 lights will be lit.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – As Cooley Dickinson Hospital reported nine months of data in October, the trend is clear: The implementation of portable ultraviolet light technology to disinfect patient rooms dramatically reduces the risk of acquiring Clostridium difficile (C.diff) during a hospital stay.

Forbes’s Christopher Helman reports on Cooley Dickinson's success in reducing hospital-associated infections – a national problem.

CONTACTS:  Jenna McPhee                                                 Dianne Cutillo

CDH #1 in Mass: Patients Treated at 5-Star Hospitals are 63% Less Likely to Experience Complications