5 Things Sept. 27: Free Flu Clinics, Basket Fundraiser and More

Five Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. Free flu clinics
The Health Department of Norton, under the guidance of Donna Palmer, RN, is planning to hold three free flu clinics for the school children of Norton and their families. The clinics will be held Sept. 27, Oct. 3 and Nov. 1 in the cafeteria of Henri A. Yelle Elementary School 4 to 6 p.m. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless they are over 18. The flu mist and shots will be available. Everyone will be vaccinated regardless of their insurance status, parents should bring the student’s health insurance card to the clinic if they have one. A canned good donation for Cupboard of Kindness is requested.

2. Basket Fundraiser help wanted
The Norton High School Parent Board is requesting help with the organization’s basket fundraiser. Donations of baskets, restaurant gift cards, movie night items, sporting goods or memorabilia, tea/coffee, pasta basket items, etc. are being sought. Ticket sellers are also needed. For more information contact the Parent Board via Facebook or email nortonhighpab@yahoo.com.

3. Advanced medical directives informational session
Mansfield Adult Day Health Center, 300 Branch St., Mansfield, will hold a free community education program 6 to 7:30 p.m. This is an advanced medical directives informational session. The center also offers a free caregiver support group facilitated by a social worker 6 to 7:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month. Refreshments are included. Meetings are open to the public. Drop-ins are welcome. For more information or to register for the education program call 508-339-2119.

4. Sturdy a “Top Performer”
Sturdy Memorial Hospital has been named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, an accreditor of health care organizations in America. Sturdy was recognized by The Joint Commission for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions. Out of 3,376 eligible hospitals submitting accountability measure data to The Joint Commission, Sturdy was one of only 620 hospitals in the U.S. to meet or exceed the target rates of performance for 2011 and earn the distinction of Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. Specifically, Sturdy was recognized for its achievement on the following measure sets: heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care. In addition to being included in The Joint Commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals” annual report, Sturdy will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website. The Top Performer program will be featured in the November issue of The Joint Commission Perspectives and the October issue of The Joint Commission: The Source.

5. High near 69, low around 46
Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind will be 7 to 9 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 46 and a light north wind.