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-   -   Hooked on Huggins Hospital (https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18348)

Sue Doe-Nym 10-09-2014 02:59 PM

Hooked on Huggins Hospital
 
Over the years we have lived in the Lakes Region, we have heard numerous negative stories about Huggins Hospital. We have recently been patients there on 2 separate occasions. I'd like to set the record straight about that place: the care was excellent, the staff professional and reassuring, and we both felt that we could not have received better treatment elsewhere. Granted, it's not a trauma center, but for normal things requiring hospital care, do not discount Huggins.

CateP 10-10-2014 11:30 AM

Me too.
 
I just moved here a few years ago from the Jersey Shore (home of several top notch hospitals) and I have found Huggins to be very good. There are several news physicians practicing there and they seem to run a tight ship.

My sense is that they are good for first line treatment, but will point you to specialists in other areas when needed.

Rusty 10-10-2014 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CateP (Post 234800)
There are several news physicians practicing there and they seem to run a tight ship.

New physicians do not last very long at Huggins. I had three in a period of @2 years and finally gave up. They all left and then new ones came in and some of them have left already.
I finally went to another town to get a primary physician and as of now I am very content with him.
The only way I would ever go to Huggins again would be if I was unable to make my own decision about where I would go...like unconscious!

BroadHopper 10-10-2014 12:11 PM

Area PCPs
 
Seems like most of them in the area are on permanent vacation. In the last 6 years since I move to the area I change my PCP twice. The first PCP lost his license for failure to recommend patients to a pain clinic, rather he gives them pain medicines until they were addicted. The MD claims he was not aware of the new laws?
The second PCP was going through a few malpractice law suits and left the area.
The third one, so far so good, but I have to travel to Meredith from Laconia. He is not as 'aggressive' as my old PCP. I have to keep doing research online to make sure he/I are up to the latest in treatments.

Pineedles 10-10-2014 07:16 PM

I'm sorry, I can't let a positive post appear on Huggins, when I can still remember my friend and neighbor who died as a result of their misdiagnosis.

RLW 10-10-2014 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles (Post 234826)
I'm sorry, I can't let a positive post appear on Huggins, when I can still remember my friend and neighbor who died as a result of their misdiagnosis.


I'm sorry to hear about your friend. What year did that happen as it is a completely new regime over the past several years. Now I would not go there as I want a place that can handle a lot more then they can as I want to stay in one location and not be moved for a serious operation but would for a life of death operation. Does that statement make ¢’s??:)

tis 10-11-2014 06:46 AM

I know a lot of people don't like Huggins but isn't the grass always greener? I know because one's life is involved we don't think they should ever make a mistake. And sometimes they shouldn't. But every hospital does make mistakes. I think Huggins knows they have a bit of an issue and are trying to rebuild faith in them. A close family member needed surgery this summer and they offered us the option of staying there or going to Mass. General. We had faith in Dr. Barton and decided to stay and everything was fine. We have had previous experience several times with Dr. Barton and he is a wonderful surgeon in my opinion. He gave my mother quite a bit of time by performing innovative pancreatic surgery for cancer.

Lakepilot 10-11-2014 07:07 AM

I really like Dr. Barton too. He's done a couple of procedures for me and he's top notch. I also liked Dr. Z, but she's gone. I like Huggins, but their skill set doesn't have a lot of depth. It's a small rural hospital.

chasedawg 10-11-2014 12:55 PM

Huggins Internal Medicine Associates
 
I'm looking for a new PCP. Has anyone had experience with Internal Medicine Associates of Wolfeboro? They are located in the Huggins Hospital facility. I believe are taking on new members. Not sure of their connections with the Huggins Hospital.

I have had issues with my hip (fracture) and I truly liked Dr. Barton. He was very professional and had great bedside consulting.

Greene's Basin Girl 10-11-2014 01:57 PM

I had a physician locally for 25 years. I decided it was time for a change. Also LRGH said they might not take Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. I switched to Concord Internal Medicine and I couldn't be happier. When you have an appointment you had better be on time! They take you in right away. In Meredith I use to wait an hour to see my physician.

Pineedles 10-11-2014 02:07 PM

It was 2010 and it was not critical until they missed it. Can't say any more. Maybe things have changed but.....

mcdude 12-11-2014 08:18 AM

From the Baysider
Quote:

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%"> <TBODY> <TR vAlign=bottom> <TD colSpan=2> Huggins breaks ground on new Alton Family Medicine facility


New offices will be located on New Durham Road, just off traffic circle


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



<TABLE style="BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; WIDTH: 308px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: right; BORDER-SPACING: 0px; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; border-image: none" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD colSpan=3>
</TD></TR> <TR> <TD>
</TD> <TD align=right>http://www.newhampshirelakesandmount...5302E1.med.jpg</TD> <TD class=lpmgmtshadowr>
</TD></TR> <TR vAlign=top> <TD></TD> <TD class=lpmgmtshadowb>
</TD> <TD style="HEIGHT: 10px; WIDTH: 10px">http://www.newhampshirelakesandmount...m/images/z.gif</TD></TR> <TR> <TD></TD> <TD class=cutline> HUGGINS HOSPITAL officials, along with architectural, engineering and construction professionals, gathered on Nov. 18 for groundbreaking ceremonies at the site of new facilities for Alton Family Medicine, a Huggins-affiliated medical practice group serving Alton and surrounding communities. Pictured (l to r), Huggins President and CEO Michael P. Connolly, Huggins Vice President for Physician and Ancillary Services Barbara Quealy, Huggins Board of Trustees Chairman Timothy Sullivan, James Rines, President of White Mountain Survey and Engineering, Inc., Charles Moretti, President of NCM Management, Inc.; Claire Wilkins, Associate, Steward Associates Architects and Eugene Goodwin, Huggins Former Vice President for Support Services. Courtesy Photo. (click for larger version)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> December 10, 2014
ALTON — Huggins Hospital, the leading provider of hospital and medical services in New Hampshire's Eastern Lakes Region, began an exciting new chapter in its history of net- worked, accessible and community-based health services with the Nov. 18 groundbreaking for the new home of Alton Family Medicine (AFM), an affiliated practice group offering a full range of primary, secondary and specialized medical care to residents of Alton and surrounding communities in the region.

Development of the new AFM facilities is the most recent initiative in a long-range, strategic development plan that was highlighted in 2010 by the opening of the hospital's new Wolfeboro facilities, as well as a similar, facilities-improvement project in 2007 for Tamworth Family Medicine, another hospital-affiliated practice group serving the town of Tamworth and its adjacent communities.

Speaking at the AFM groundbreaking ceremony, Timothy Sullivan, chairman of the Huggins Board of Trustees, underscored the hospital's mission, history and traditions and its "commitment to providing healthcare of the highest quality to New Hampshire's Eastern Lakes Region."

"We are integral to the fabric of many communities in this part of our state, and we feel privileged to be their principal and preferred provider of hospital and medical services," Sullivan noted. In his comments, Sullivan placed particular emphasis on "the dedication of the entire Huggins family to making high-quality care fully accessible to individuals and families in every corner of our service area."

As a community-based medical practice group, Alton Family Medicine is a critical part of the Huggins Hospital network of eight provider groups offering primary, secondary and specialty healthcare to communities in the hospital's service area. As with all of them, the AFM group's mission is to make excellent medical care and health services fully accessible to families and individuals in Alton and the other communities AFM serves.

In his comments at the groundbreaking event, Huggins President and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Connelly said that the hospital is "committed to good health and good healthcare for all the communities we serve."

"We hope that you see this facilities- development project for Alton Family Medicine as evidence of the Huggins commitment to the Alton community for the long run," Connelly added. "We are very excited about all of the benefits that this new facility will bring to Alton Family Medicine and the patients it serves."

Connelly expressed confidence that the hospital and the Alton area communities could "look forward to a long, healthy and prosperous relationship."

Led by Dr. Donald B. Rose, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Judy Cole and Certified Physician Assistant Rebecca Rose, the AFM providers and support staff are committed to a high standard of responsive and compassionate care for their patients. They bring impressive, professional skills, expertise and experience to the entire spectrum of family medicine – from annual physicals, childhood illnesses, immunizations, disease management and sleep disorders, to medical counseling, fitness and weight-loss management, pregnancy testing, preventative care and treatment of depression/anxiety and minor injuries. In addition, AFM is equipped to provide on-site laboratory services and medical imaging, while the nearby facilities of Huggins Hospital provide the best in acute-care capacity when needed.

Speaking at the groundbreaking event and noting that, "a building is never more important than the team of professionals working inside it," Huggins Vice President for Physician and Ancillary Services Barbara Quealy said, "This group of health-care professionals shares a firm commitment to and a passion for quality healthcare. I am proud of each and every one of them." Quealy emphasized that the new AFM facility is evidence of the Huggins commitment to the wellbeing of the Alton area and "will strengthen our partnership with those communities in providing a full range of quality healthcare for all." Later echoing the hospital's service tagline for its community practice groups, Quealy asked, "Why travel far to see your primary-care provider? We're here in your backyard."

With the construction and opening of its beautiful, new facility in Alton, the group begins a new chapter in its history of high-quality and patient-focused health care for its communities.

The new AFM home has been designed as a warm and comfortable setting for the delivery of efficient, personalized and effective healthcare services. In addition to the larger, state-of-the- art building, the new location includes expanded vehicle parking and easy access from any travel direction.

The new facility will replace AFM's current facility at 82 Main St., Alton, a Victorian-period home that no longer can meet the needs of a modern healthcare practice or continue to accommodate continually evolving municipal construction codes. From a financial standpoint, it made more sense for Huggins to invest in a brand-new, specially designed facility, rather than continue to budget for the increasing repair and maintenance demands of the existing building. The goal is to provide a replacement structure that allows productive and efficient use of space, while supporting the technical and patient-comfort needs of a thriving medical practice.

The new facility's location, just off the Alton traffic circle, at the intersection of Routes 11 and 28, will provide easy access for Alton and surrounding communities, as well as a rapid route to the emergency and acute services provided at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro. The new AFM facility will feature 5,500 square feet of usable space on one story, with on-site laboratory and medical imaging services, as well as ample, on-site vehicle parking.

The increased space in a new facility will allow for the addition of a physician and the expansion of Alton Family Medicine's professional provider staff from three to four, thereby improving the accessibility, range and efficiency of quality care for local residents.

Huggins President Connelly described the new AFM facilities as "state-of-the-art and designed specifically to be conducive to good patient flow and allow for more people to be served and to access quality medical care."

"This will be a beautifully modern structure with many technologically sophisticated features," he added, "and it will make use of a variety of other leading-edge building techniques." While it will not be "green-certified," Connelly pointed out that the building will incorporate low-energy lighting and environmentally friendly siding, as well as a variety of other sustainable material components.

The estimated cost of the new structure is just over $1.5 million, including usual additional costs such as architectural design, engineering and furnishings. All permitting and approvals from the Alton Planning Board have been secured. Construction is underway, with completion of the new facility anticipated in the spring of 2015.

Stressing that Huggins Hospital views its commitment to accessible, high-quality, community-based care as "one of the key building blocks of its mission," Connelly said that "the hospital's leadership views the investment in new facilities for AFM as an essential component of that commitment." He also noted that, once opened, the new, expanded facilities will allow the AFM practice group to grow and to serve an even larger population with an even wider range of primary, secondary and specialty care. "That's why we're here," Connelly added.

AFM's new home was designed by Stewart Associates Architects of Laconia, with project engineering services provided by White Mountain Survey and Engineering, Inc., Ossipee, and construction management by NCM Management, Inc. of Laconia.

In addition to AFM, the Huggins network of community-based providers of primary and secondary care includes: Internal Medicine Associates of Wolfeboro; Moultonborough Family Medicine; Ossipee Family Medicine; Tamworth Family Medicine; Wakefield Family Care; Wolfeboro Family Medicine; and Wolfeboro Pediatrics.

Established in 1907, Huggins Hospital has led the way in community healthcare by growing, moving and evolving in response to changes in healthcare technology and delivery and the needs of the community in New Hampshire's Eastern Lakes Region. Today, Huggins is a vibrant, 25-bed hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and medical capabilities, providing quality healthcare and promoting public wellbeing in the communities it serves. The hospital partners with those communities in the Eastern Lakes Region to provide a wide range of high-quality services, as well as prevention and wellness programs. Huggins Hospital takes great pride in its mission and traditions of meeting and exceeding the expectations of those it serves.

A nonprofit, community-based hospital and healthcare institution, Huggins endeavors to offer the best of two worlds – the warmth and friendliness of a small town and the technical, but "high-touch," expertise of a major medical center.

Huggins Hospital is located in Wolfeboro and is the leading provider of primary, secondary and specialty healthcare services in the region. The hospital provides medical services to the area's year-round population of 30,000 residents and the approximately 120,000 seasonal residents and visitors who come from all over the world to enjoy the state's Lakes Region and the communities of Alton, Brookfield, Effingham, Freedom, Madison, Moultonborough, New Durham, Ossipee, Sanbornville, Sandwich, Tamworth, Tuftonboro, Wakefield and Wolfeboro.




RLW 12-11-2014 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl (Post 234848)
I had a physician locally for 25 years. I decided it was time for a change. Also LRGH said they might not take Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. I switched to Concord Internal Medicine and I couldn't be happier. When you have an appointment you had better be on time! They take you in right away. In Meredith I use to wait an hour to see my physician.

I fine this great. It means that they are not rushing everyone through. My Dr. takes her time and answers every question I have no matter how many people may be waiting. She has even taken the time to call specialist while I wait in her office. When I have to sit and wait I do it patiently as I know she is doing that same for the person in there with her.:)

DaveDeCo 12-17-2014 10:55 AM

When I was 9, I was fishing on The Basin in Tuftonboro with my dad and I got a fish hook caught in my earlobe. True story. My parents brought me to Huggins and the doctor strapped me to the table (this was the 70's, that's what they did) and removed the hook. Sure I was terrified, but they were great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Billy Bob 12-17-2014 01:22 PM

I have had SEVERAL friends that were very happy with this hospital mostly because it was close and wouldn't go anywhere else , right up until the day they died .

Merrymeeting 12-17-2014 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Bob (Post 237678)
I have had SEVERAL friends that were very happy with this hospital mostly because it was close and wouldn't go anywhere else , right up until the day they died .

We all do eventually Billy Bob. Your post adds no value without qualifiers. If your friends were 98 and in ill health...but if 8 and healthy...

It amazes me how long reputations and expectations persist. Huggins is a small local hospital. It does not exist to handle major, big-city illnesses, nor does it advertise it as such.

Personally, I am happy that there is an option close by that will be there for an emergency, and will transfer me if needed to a facility better equipped to handle my needs.

Rusty 12-17-2014 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting (Post 237698)
We all do eventually Billy Bob. Your post adds no value without qualifiers. If your friends were 98 and in ill health...but if 8 and healthy...

It amazes me how long reputations and expectations persist. Huggins is a small local hospital. It does not exist to handle major, big-city illnesses, nor does it advertise it as such.

Personally, I am happy that there is an option close by that will be there for an emergency, and will transfer me if needed to a facility better equipped to handle my needs.

Here is some info that shows the ratings in 9 Conditions and Procedures...I'm afraid Huggins doesn't fare very well in this report : http://www.healthgrades.com/hospital...40b02d9c301312

RLW 12-17-2014 07:47 PM

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif DaveDeCo, I was just browsing through the forum and noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. :)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

Merrymeeting 12-17-2014 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 237699)
Here is some info that shows the ratings in 9 Conditions and Procedures...I'm afraid Huggins doesn't fare very well in this report : http://www.healthgrades.com/hospital...40b02d9c301312

And if you look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthgrades , especially the parts about independent evaluation and criticism, you can question everything you read on the internet, in context.

I would never go to Huggins for a major cardiac, gastrointestinal, or orthopedic procedure. That's when I want to be at a larger facility that specializes in that type of care. It doesn't surprise me that they may not be highly rated there.

However, if I have a critical, cardiac event that requires immediate care and stabilization until I can be transferred to a more appropriate facility, I'm happy they are there versus not having anything close at all.

Given my comment above, I would imagine that their "ratings" may also be skewed by cases like I suggest. One where I need immediate care, go to the closest facility available until I can be transferred to specialists, and perhaps don't make it due to my circumstances. Counts as a strike against Huggins.

I am not a apologist for Huggins. In fact I, thankfully, have no experience with them for critical or intensive care. But reading some of the comments in this forum, I think people have unrealistic expectations. It's a 25 bed, local facility, not Mass General.

Pricestavern 12-18-2014 10:16 AM

Emergency Room
 
Though I live in NY, I've been to the Emergency Room a couple of times at Huggins, got fixed up and lived to tell the tale. Works for me.

Lakepilot 12-18-2014 05:44 PM

I have had very good luck at Huggins, as have my in-laws. It's a small local hospital that does a great job. They are not Mass General.

chasedawg 12-18-2014 08:20 PM

Huggins Hospital
 
Let me share with you my experience with Huggins Hospital. They have been fantastic for me, my family and our neighbors need for immediate healthcare.

I have had to do to the emergency room in the past year for several critical needs. Each time they were very response and diagnosed my condition. Their Medical staff helped me recover without a need to travel to Boston MGH.

Our son had a fall wake boarding. He mentioned he had some pain. We thought he may have cracked a rib. Took him to Huggins ER and they diagnosed he had a life threatening condition. The doctor ordered a Flight Med copter to fly him to Maine Medical. As soon as they landed at midnight they rushed him into surgery. The Huggins Doctor helped saved his life.

My neighbor is in his 80's. Very serious health problems for many years. He rested and was near terminal. Tuftonboro Fire Rescue rushed him to Huggins. Both Tuftonboro fire EMT's and Huggins medical team brought his heart back several times. He is resting comfortably and waiting to enjoy Christmas with his family.
I could give you more examples of island friend who had to use Huggins for critical emergency medical care. But I just want to prove a point that what you read on the Internet is usually bogus and surveys don't mean a damn thing. Real life situations having much more meaning than surveys. This is what frustrates me about some folks on this forum that seem to just want to destroy an establishment with comments that have little meaning.

In closing, my wife worked as a senior nurse in the ICU at Mass General for over 35 years. She is considered one of the top nurses at MGH and has worked with many top doctors and has been personally involved with many critically ill patients in the ICU. She has seen first hand with our son the hospital practices of Huggins Hospital. It is not a Mass General. But it is a great neighborhood community hospital that can save lives. Believe me my life, my son and my neighbor lives have been saved.

Thank you Huggins Hospital Medical Team for all the good that you do. My son, my neighbor and I want to wish all of you at Huggins Hospital a very Merry Christmas because of you....we can have a Merry Christmas.


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