SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass.-Harrington Memorial Hospital has become the fifth community hospital to formally affiliate with the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, which is building an integrated delivery system in the central part of the state. Both institutions remain independent and autonomous, but they'll work more closely, a spokeswoman said. For example, Harrington physicians will be able to apply for hospital privileges at the 371-bed Worcester teaching hospital and treat their patients when they're hospitalized there. The medical center will offer continuing education at 111-bed Harrington, and physicians at Harrington will help to train primary-care physicians.
LOWELL, Mass.-The two hospitals in Lowell, Saints Memorial Medical Center and Lowell General Hospital, say they'll explore ways to develop a local system of integrated inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitation care. A committee of representatives from both hospitals will report conclusions to their respective boards in three to four months, said a Lowell General spokesman. Saints Memorial was formed in October 1992 through the merger of St. John's and St. Joseph's hospitals, and the consolidation still is under way, a spokeswoman said.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.-In anticipation of healthcare reform and increased managed-care activity, the board of Southern Connecticut Health System has reorganized its management team. SCHS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Schrader, who also had been president of SCHS's main subsidiary, 550-bed Bridgeport Hospital, will focus on his duties as head of SCHS. Robert J. Trefry, Bridgeport's chief operating officer and executive vice president, will assume the duties of president and CEO. The move is intended to enable Mr. Schrader to focus on SCHS's future under healthcare reform.
NEW YORK-New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. has appointed an 11-member task force to make recommendations for redesigning the construction and renovation project at Kings County Hospital Center. On orders from Bruce Siegel, M.D., the public hospital system's new president, plans to replace 1,210-beds Kings County will be scaled down. The move comes after a review of HHC building projects (Feb. 21, p. 9). If nothing is done, the rebuilding project is expected to cost $424 million more than the original estimate of $500 million. The task force will report back in 60 days.
