Backus Hospital
Encyclopedia
The William W. Backus Hospital is a 213-bed, not-for-profit, acute care community hospital in Norwich, Connecticut
.
The hospital was founded in 1893 by William Wolcott Backus and William Albert Slater, in response to the region's growing healthcare needs.
In 2008, Backus Hospital’s Cancer Center has received the American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award, placing it among an elite group of cancer centers nationwide. In 2008, the hospital also earned the John D. Thompson Award for eliminating central line infections in its Critical Care Unit.
In April 2009, the Board of Trustees named David A. Whitehead President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2009.
Backus Hospital operates the state's only trauma center
east of the Connecticut River
, and it is the only regional facility that has a helipad and support facility for LIFE STAR, Hartford Hospital
's air ambulance
helicopter. LIFE STAR provides advanced life support scene response and transport for the most critically injured and medically unstable patients in Connecticut. These patients are taken to Level I or Level II trauma centers across the state, according to state regulations.
Backus Hospital provides inpatient care for approximately 11,000 patients each year, and has more than 400,000 outpatient visits. The hospital operates outpatient centers in Colchester, Montville and Plainfield; and the Backus Outpatient Care Center in Norwich.
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
.
The hospital was founded in 1893 by William Wolcott Backus and William Albert Slater, in response to the region's growing healthcare needs.
In 2008, Backus Hospital’s Cancer Center has received the American College of Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is an educational association of surgeons created in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.-Membership:...
Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award, placing it among an elite group of cancer centers nationwide. In 2008, the hospital also earned the John D. Thompson Award for eliminating central line infections in its Critical Care Unit.
In April 2009, the Board of Trustees named David A. Whitehead President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2009.
Backus Hospital operates the state's only trauma center
Trauma center
A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. Trauma centers grew into existence out of the realization that traumatic injury is a disease process unto itself requiring specialized and experienced...
east of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, and it is the only regional facility that has a helipad and support facility for LIFE STAR, Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital is an acute care hospital located in the South End of Hartford, Connecticut. The hospital was formed in 1854 after the State of Connecticut granted a charter for the Formation of Hartford Hospital following a boiler explosion and resulting fire at the Fales and Grey Car Works...
's air ambulance
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
helicopter. LIFE STAR provides advanced life support scene response and transport for the most critically injured and medically unstable patients in Connecticut. These patients are taken to Level I or Level II trauma centers across the state, according to state regulations.
Backus Hospital provides inpatient care for approximately 11,000 patients each year, and has more than 400,000 outpatient visits. The hospital operates outpatient centers in Colchester, Montville and Plainfield; and the Backus Outpatient Care Center in Norwich.