Download PDF - Emerson Hospital

Donating blood:
Donating blood is a
generous thing to do.
It benefits patients
who need blood, and
it saves Emerson the
expense of having
to purchase blood.
It also benefits the
donors themselves,
who often say they
feel good – even
elated – after giving
blood.
it’s generous, easy and feels good
18-year-old says it is her way of volunteering
Katie Moreau, an 18-year-old Chelmsford resident,
says that’s how she feels after making a
donation at Emerson’s Blood Donor Center.
“The nurses always say to me ‘you’re so young.’
But by donating locally, I’m helping someone in
my community. It is my way of volunteering. I
wish more young people gave blood because it
lifts your spirits.”
Katie stands out among blood donors, says
Linda Dolan, blood donation recruiter. “I’d
say the average age of those who donate is about 50,” says Ms. Dolan, who
adds that, when it comes to blood donation, the hospital faces a challenge.
“Only 60 percent of the population can give blood; health conditions or
medications prevent many people from being eligible. Of that 60 percent,
however, only 5 percent actually donate.”
Each donation potentially benefits multiple patients. “At Emerson, one unit
of whole blood collected can be used to provide red blood cells and plasma
components, thus helping two patients,” says Ms. Dolan. “Blood donated
at Emerson remains at Emerson.” Donating blood only takes about 30
minutes. Once donors are screened for eligibility, the donation itself takes
about ten minutes, after which they are served refreshments, including fluid
to replace the donated blood. “We keep an eye on donors to make sure they
feel okay before they leave.”
Katie enjoys relaxing with juice and a snack after donating blood. “The
nurses are so nice,” she says. “They take good care of me.” Parking is free
Katie Moreau relaxes while Rosemary Woitowicz, RN, draws blood.
for those who donate blood, and the staff offers a number of incentives,
from T-shirts to gift cards for coffee, ice cream and a car wash. Each month,
all donors are entered into a raffle.
Donate blood. Save a life.
The Emerson Blood Donor Center is located on the first floor of the
hospital’s John Cuming Building in Concord. Please call 978-287-3390
to schedule an appointment or to verify hours. Walk-ins are welcome.
Regular hours are:
Monday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Wednesday 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Note the blood donor center closes for lunch: 1:00-1:30 pm on Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday; and 12:00-12:30 pm on Wednesday.
New palliative care program is established
emerson is working with hospice of the north shore & greater boston
Emerson Hospital recently expanded its successful relationship with
Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston (HNSGB) to provide
patients with a comprehensive approach to palliative care. Palliative care
addresses the symptoms and stresses of serious illness.
“Palliative care often is referred to as ‘pain and comfort care,’” explains
Joyce Welsh, vice president and chief nursing officer at Emerson. Ms.
Welsh is on the committee that integrated a new program of palliative
care with the existing hospice care program, which HNSGB already provides.
“We have been working with them on hospice care for two years,
and it is a positive, wonderful relationship.” Hospice of the North Shore
& Greater Boston is the largest and most comprehensive hospice provider
in Massachusetts.
Unlike hospice care, which typically is provided for six months or less, palliative
care is a consultative service with no general time limit. “Patients
may continue to receive treatment and will benefit from palliative care because
of ongoing symptoms,” says Ms. Welsh. Common illnesses requiring
palliative care include heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. For example, COPD
patients who are having difficulty breathing often benefit from having a
consultation with the Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston team.
“There are several situations that merit a palliative care consultation tied
to the goals of care,” says Stephanie Patel, MD, the organization’s vicepresident
and chief medical officer, who is on staff at Emerson. “They include
when patients present complex pain and symptom management
needs, are struggling with difficult decisions about care, have a chronic,
progressive illness and unclear life expectancy or are newly diagnosed with
a life-limiting illness.” Dr Patel is one of HNSGB’s five palliative care physicians;
there are also five nurse practitioners on the staff. The palliative
care team works closely with the patient’s own physician.
“Patients are benefiting from our new palliative care program,” says Ms.
Welsh. “Working with our Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston
colleagues, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest
quality palliative and end-of-life-care.”
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