Nantucket Cottage Hospital has seen an increase in the number of confirmed flu cases on the island over the past week. In addition to these cases which have been confirmed through laboratory testing, there are other presumed flu cases in which patients have been diagnosed based on their symptoms as well as those who have not sought treatment. Flu cases are expected to rise as the season continues.

NCH would like to remind island residents of ways to reduce the risk of contracting this year’s flu virus:

• It is recommended, and not too late, to receive a flu shot. The vaccine not only protects the person receiving it but also those around them
• Clean your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, as this is the most effective way to halt the spread of flu
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick
• If you are experiencing flu symptoms, seek out treatment if necessary, but stay home from work or school to avoid exposing others, and do not return until you have been symptom-free without the use of medications for at least 24 hours

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea.

On Dec. 1, Nantucket Cottage Hospital awarded $762,000 in grant funding to 12 non-profit recipients through its Community Health Initiative during a ceremony at the Nantucket Hotel. Thanks to Nantucket Community Television for filming the event!

Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s capital campaign chair Bruce Percelay and NCH Trustee Elisabeth Percelay, were featured in the Winter 2017 edition of Nantucket Today as two of the magazine’s “12 People Who Make a Difference.” The Percelay family has committed a $10 million gift, the largest single philanthropic donation in island history, for the new Nantucket Cottage Hospital and have contributed invaluable wisdom and leadership to the campaign.

In recognition of the Percelay family’s generosity, a major portion of the new Nantucket Cottage Hospital building, which will include services such as the inpatient rooms, the emergency department, and surgical suite, will be named the Percelay Pavilion.

In August, the Percelays were honored with the Sandy Craig Leadership Award during Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s 106^th Annual Meeting. The award, given in memory of Alexander “Sandy” M. Craig, Jr., is presented annually by the hospital’s Board of Trustees to a member or members of the Nantucket community who have made a positive contribution to the island through Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Check out the latest edition of Nantucket Today to read more about how the Percelays give back to the island and the many other causes and organizations they support.

The Hospital Thrift Shop has done it again. Continuing its 88-year tradition of generosity, the Thrift Shop announced today a $381,500 gift to Nantucket Cottage Hospital following another successful season on India Street.

The board members of the Thrift Shop presented Nantucket Cottage Hospital president and CEO Dr. Margot Hartmann with a check last week in the amount of $331,500, which has been earmarked for new medical equipment that will improve patient care in nearly every department of the hospital. Another $50,000 will be committed to the Thrift Shop’s pledge of $500,000 for the construction of the new hospital.

“We’re so pleased to once again help our community hospital fulfil its mission to patients, while also supporting its vision for the future in a new building,” said Cathy Ward, the outgoing President of the Thrift Shop’s Board of Directors. “It’s important to remember that this gift is made possible by the island community, which gives so generously to the Thrift Shop throughout the year, along with our loyal shoppers and hardworking staff and volunteers.” (more…)

Nantucket Cottage Hospital announced today on National Rural Health Day that it has been recognized by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and The Chartis Center for Rural Health/iVantage Health Analytics for overall excellence in outcomes and patient satisfaction, reflecting top quartile performance among all rural hospitals in the nation.

“Our island community can be proud of the clinicians and staff of Nantucket Cottage Hospital who have earned this well-deserved recognition by consistently putting our patient first and providing compassionate care,” said Dr. Margot Hartmann, president and CEO of Nantucket Cottage Hospital. “The quality of our outcomes and the experience we provide our patients are two of the most important assessments of our performance as a hospital, so it is gratifying to see the efforts of our staff honored at a national level.”

Nantucket Cottage Hospital is one of only two rural hospitals in Massachusetts to be recognized by NOSORH for excellence in patient outcomes, joining Fairview Hospital in earning this distinction. Only three Massachusetts hospitals – Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Fairview Hospital, and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital – were recognized for excellence in patient satisfaction. (more…)