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| Name |
William W Backus Hospital |
| Address |
326 Washington Street |
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| Town |
Norwich |
| State |
Connecticut |
| Country |
USA |
| Post Code |
06360 |
| Phone |
860 889 8331 |
| Fax |
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| Email |
| Website |
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About William W Backus Hospital
** About Us **
For more than 117 years, Backus Hospital has provided quality healthcare to the residents of eastern Connecticut.
Our 213-bed, not-for-profit, acute care community hospital is the primary source of health services for nearly a quarter-million people. Since its founding in 1893, Backus has continually provided programs and services, and formed strategic alliances with other healthcare organizations and providers to meet the healthcare needs of the region.
In addition, Backus is a Comprehensive Community Hospital Cancer Center, a state-designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only trauma center east of the Connecticut River and it is the only regional facility that has a hangar for LIFE STAR, Hartford Hospital's air medical transport helicopter.
** Mission Statement **
Backus Hospital delivers and coordinates a continuum of high-quality healthcare that is sensitive to the needs of individuals in eastern Connecticut. The Hospital is committed to being responsive and accountable to those for whose benefit it exists, and to improving the health of its communities.
** Vision Statement **
Backus Hospital will be one of New England’s most progressive community hospitals because of:
Its positive impact on community health.
The high quality, safety and comprehensiveness of its programs and services
compared to peers throughout the United States.
Its financial strength.
The reputation in its own community for compassionate, reassuring and personal care.
** Values **
* Commitment to quality and patient safety.
* Ethical and compassionate behavior in all relationships.
* Respect of individuals’ rights and dignity.
* Service to the community
* Positive financial results.
* Strong leadership that enables a creative and innovative staff.
* Competent, committed employees working collaboratively in a safe working
environment.
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History Of William W Backus Hospital
** History **
The William W. Backus Hospital was created from the vision and the generosity of two men, William Wolcott Backus and William Albert Slater. In 1891, they led an effort to build a hospital in Norwich to serve the city and surrounding towns.
Health care had become a growing concern in Norwich, as the city was booming. In the last decade of the 19th century Norwich had a population of 23,000, and boasted eight banks, 21 schools and 12 textile mills — but no hospital. The city’s 33 physicians and 29 nurses performed basic procedures, such as tonsillectomies, on the kitchen tables of patients’ homes. Those with more serious ailments or injuries had to be transported to hospitals in Hartford, Providence or Boston. Many did not survive the trip.
Backus, 88, donated $185,000 (the equivalent of about $4 million today) to build the hospital that would bear his name. His family was one of the first to settle in Norwich, and he was a self-taught lawyer, farmer and keen businessman.
Slater, 34, donated the 18 acres that today still forms the main hospital campus. His family made its money in the growing textile business, and he was the president of Ponemah Mill in Taftville, one of the world’s largest textile mills.
The hospital was dedicated Oct. 4, 1893, on what the Norwich Morning Bulletin described as “a sparkling, crisp autumn day.” The facility featured 63 beds, including separate male and female wards, an isolation room, an operating room and nurses’ training home. During its first year of operation, 190 patients were admitted, and there were 16 people on the staff.
Backus Today
Today, Backus is licensed for 213 beds, including 131 for medical/surgical use and 12 for critical care. Annually, Backus cares for 11,000 inpatients, is the place where about 1,000 babies enter the world. Our Emergency Department sees more than 65,000 visits, and more than 1 million laboratory procedures are performed. Backus is the city’s largest non-government employer.
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