News from Lifespan

Newport Hospital Announces Adult Partial Hospitalization Program

Fri, 4 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Newport Hospital is now offering a new behavioral health outpatient program, the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program, for adults who need structured support to handle their life circumstances but do not need hospitalization.

Following a medical and psychological assessment, each patient has a structured treatment environment on the Newport Hospital campus during the day but returns to his or her home at night and on weekends. Each patient has an individualized treatment plan, from three days to two weeks in duration, depending on that patient’s needs.

Led by a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a social worker, the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program is covered by most health insurance plans. For more information, call 845-1910.

Newport Hospital was founded in 1873 and is Newport County’s only acute care hospital. Located on Powel Avenue in Newport, it is a community hospital with a broad spectrum of health services, including an emergency department, an award-winning birthing center, a behavioral health unit, surgical services, a renowned rehabilitation division, and a full array of outpatient services. Since 2004, Newport Hospital has been designated a Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing care. The hospital became a partner in the Lifespan health system in 1997.

Lifespan and Gateway Healthcare Sign Intent to Affiliate Agreement

Thu, 3 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Agreement will strengthen and expand behavioral health services in Rhode Island

In a move designed to enhance behavioral health care coordination and patient access, Lifespan, Rhode Island’s largest health care system and Gateway Healthcare, the largest community behavioral health care organization in Rhode Island, have signed a letter of intent to affiliate. The affiliation is intended to help make behavioral health care services more accessible, affordable and financially sustainable in this evolving health care marketplace.

Under the proposed affiliation agreement, Gateway Healthcare will become part of Lifespan, which includes Rhode Island Hospital and its pediatric division Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Newport Hospital and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children. Gateway Healthcare, which provides integrated treatment and prevention through residential, outpatient and community-based programs that reach more than 15,000 residents annually in 42 locations, will fall under the Lifespan umbrella.

“This is an exciting affiliation for Lifespan and one that builds on our commitment to a new model of health care that provides patients with new ways to access the care they need. This is essential as health care delivery continues to shift outside the traditional hospital setting,” said George Vecchione, Lifespan’s president and CEO. “Gateway Healthcare is well known in the region for providing top-notch care to the vast populations it serves and is a strong advocate for those needing mental health and substance abuse services. We look forward to completing a due diligence process so we can work together to provide even better care to the people of our region.”

According to Richard Leclerc, Gateway’s president, the affiliation with Lifespan will help Gateway maintain its critical role in an increasingly integrated health care delivery system. “By partnering with a system such as Lifespan, Gateway will be positioned for a pivotal role in the care models emerging from national and state health reform,” he said. “These models call for full integration of mental health and substance abuse treatment with primary medical services. Lifespan has the full breadth of services and support to make this a reality.” Leclerc added, “Ultimately, we will be better positioned to fulfill our mission of providing assistance and care to individuals of all ages with behavioral and substance abuse issues throughout Rhode Island.”

This affiliation represents a logical step at a time of limited public resources for behavioral health services and increased calls for interdisciplinary care in which individuals can have all their needs from one system of providers sharing their clinical expertise. Gateway already has gained significant experience through integrated care projects in a variety of health settings, including hospitals, community health centers and private-practice settings.

In addition, Gateway has a demonstrated track record of successful affiliations with other health and human-services organizations in Rhode Island, partnerships that have benefited the patients and families that these providers serve. Among the entities that have become part of Gateway in recent years are Capital City Community Centers, Caritas, Inc., FRIENDS WAY, The Autism Project, New Hope for Families and South Shore Center.

The affiliation with Lifespan will position Gateway to assume a more prominent role in providing behavioral health services in a coordinated fashion that will benefit patients and improve the affordability at a time of increasing health care costs.

More about Lifespan

About Gateway Healthcare
Established in 1995, Gateway Healthcare is Rhode Island’s largest provider of community behavioral healthcare, offering integrated treatment and prevention through residential, outpatient and community-based programs. With its staff of over 700, Gateway’s tenure in the Rhode Island community boasts an annual clientele of over 15,000 unduplicated men, women and children, providing a comprehensive continuum of services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our network of affiliates includes The Autism Project, Capital City Community Centers, Caritas, Inc., FRIENDS WAY, Lighthouse for Youth, New Hope for Families and South Shore Center. Gateway (www.gatewayhealth.org) proudly stands alongside its affiliates in a mutual effort to address creative solutions for community care. This impressive continuum places Gateway at the forefront in assisting individuals in the community in a myriad of ways.

Lifespan to Contribute $2.4M to City of Providence Over Three Years

Tue, 1 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Hospital system is first health care institution to make voluntary payment

Mayor Angel Taveras and Lifespan announced today that the City of Providence and the health care provider have reached an agreement that will have Lifespan contribute $800,000 annually for the next three years in a voluntary agreement. Mayor Taveras heralded the agreement as a groundbreaking partnership that helps Providence immediately. Lifespan, Providence’s largest employer, is the first hospital system to make a voluntary contribution to the city.

“The agreement we have reached with Lifespan is a groundbreaking partnership that helps Providence take another step forward to strengthen our fiscal ground. This agreement is the first between the city and any hospital, and I hope it inspires the other hospitals who rely on a strong Providence to be a part of the solution that positions our capital city for the future,” said Mayor Taveras. “Lifespan has long been a responsible community partner and a leader in the effort to make Providence a healthier city – especially for our most vulnerable neighbors.”

The agreement between Lifespan and Providence is completely voluntary. The hospital system will contribute $2.4 million in the next three years. Citing the three-year period for the agreement, both the Mayor and officials from Lifespan pointed to the uncertainty of the rapidly changing health care environment.

"We recognize that these continue to be challenging times for the city and we understand a strong Providence is central to the health of the entire state." said Scott Laurans, chairman of the Lifespan board of directors. “This is an important time to stand together and we are pleased to work with Mayor Taveras and other city officials to assist in the economic recovery of the capital city. As both the largest health care provider and employer in the state, we have worked diligently to be an economic engine for Rhode Island. Our action today further demonstrates our commitment to help ensure a strong and vital Providence.”

Lifespan is a vital community partner in Providence. The network provides charity care for individuals at or below twice the federal poverty level and offers a sliding scale for individuals up to four times the poverty level. In all, Lifespan spent more than $100 million last year on uncompensated care, which has increased dramatically over the past several years.

In addition, the Lifespan system supports the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence’s Street Workers program by donating the cost of the street workers’ health care premiums – a $150,000 investment each year. The system has also committed $5 million over 10 years as an anchor tenant in the Prairie Avenue Revitalization Initiative. Also, over the past two years Lifespan has moved more than 300 employees to buildings off Allens Avenue, helping to revitalize an underserved area of Providence and contributing important tax dollars to the City of Providence.

Lifespan is an economic driver in Providence. The system is an anchor of the city’s Knowledge District and is a leading source of outside investment for Rhode Island. In 2011, the system received $80 million in out-of-state research funding and employees over 800 researchers and investigators. In addition, Lifespan contributed $65 million to the academic mission and $15 million in additional research funding.

Lifespan Researcher Wins Ig Nobel Prize

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Peter J. Snyder, Ph.D., vice president of research for Lifespan, received one of 10 Ig Nobel Prize awards during the annual ceremony.

Newport Hospital Rehab Center Achieves Three-Year Accreditation

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Newport Hospital’s Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center again earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Newport Hospital Offering Free Prostate Cancer Screenings

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Newport Hospital is offering free screenings to increase early diagnosis and treatment.

5K Road Race Kicks Off Hospital’s Healthy Initiatives For Local Youth

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Newport Hospital’s Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund Advisory Committee is sponsoring a 5K road race and a 1K fun run for children under 12 on Sunday, September 11.

Hospital Birthing Center Schedules Celebration

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center invites current and former breastfeeding support group members, and their babies and children, to a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week.