Survey Finds Patients Highly Satisfied with VNA & Hospice

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Patients of the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern Berkshire Inc. are among the most satisfied in the country, according to a comparison of a national patient satisfaction database.

VNA & Hospice is in the top 25 percent of 350 agencies in the Fazzi Associates' Patient Satisfaction System. Fazzi named the local VNA "a national best practice agency" because of the high ratings its patients give for the care they receive.

"Agencies named as national best practice agencies are proven leaders and have excelled in one of the most important measures of an agency’s quality program — patient satisfaction," said Gina L. Mazza, Fazzi’s total performance director.

Richard Palmisano, president and CEO of Northern Berkshire Healthcare, VNA's parent organization, thanked VNA staff for the dedication and commitment to patients that earned Fazzi's 2008 Award of Distinction for superior performance in patient satisfaction.

"This award provides national recognition of something I have known all along," Palmisano said. "VNA & Hospice employees live our organization’s mission day in and day out by providing exceptional health care from the heart. Further, this award is a credit to our VNA staff and leadership, who are so deserving of recognition for excellence in the care they provide."

The VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire provides nursing, palliative and hospice care services needed to recuperate from illness, injury, or childbirth, or to manage an acute or serious medical condition while patients enjoy the comfort and security of their own home. The agency serves more than 1,100 patients each year. Members of VNA’s clinical team include nurses, physical, speech, and occupational therapists; medical social workers; and certified home health and hospice aides.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settled neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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