Newton Wellesley ER Wait Times Near State Average

Medicare database shows how hospitals across Boston—and the nation—compare for care. Hospitals, meanwhile, criticized the data as inaccurate.

Which area emergency room is the most efficient? It depends on what you mean, according to data released by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. At Newton Wellesley Hospital, patients waited an average time of 287 minutes before they were admitted to the hospital as an inpatient, compared to the state average of 311 minutes and the national average of 277 minutes.  Of those patients, the average time patients spent in the Newton Wellesley emergency department before being sent home was 152 minutes, which matches the state average, and is a little behind the national average of 140 minutes.  Finally, in the Newton Wellesley ER, the average time patients spent in the emergency department before they were seen by a health care …

• Photos (2)

Man Charged With DUI in Crash Involving Wellesley Police Officer

A Malden driver allegedly hit a Wellesley Police car on Route 9.

Man Charged With DUI in Crash Involving Wellesley Police Officer

A Malden driver allegedly hit a Wellesley Police car on Route 9.

A 35-year-old Malden man is facing charges for allegedly driving into a Wellesley Police officer’s car, according to Wellesley Police. Wellesley Police have charged William Spence with driving under the influence of alcohol (fourth offense), driving with a suspended license (subsequent offense), operating to endanger, a marked lanes violation, possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and a seatbelt violation, according to Wellesley Police Lt. Marie Cleary. He also faces warrant charges out of the Boston District Court for assault and battery on a public employee. Spence was taken to Dedham District Court on Thursday, March 7, for arraignment, Cleary said. She had no further information on the hearing. The incident started at…

• Photos (1)

Newton-Wellesley Hospital Restricting Visitors Due to Flu

The hospital is hoping to keep visitors at a minimum during the flu outbreak.

With a flu epidemic affecting much of the country, local hospitals are hoping to protect their patients by keeping visits to a minimum.  Newton-Wellesley Hospital has put in place a number of visitor restrictions to help limit the spread of the flu virus, according to the hospital's website. The visitor limitations include: Similar restrictions have been posted on the Beth Israel Needham hospital website. As of Jan 14, restrictions include:  Whether flu season is something you take seriously or dismiss as Just Hype, the Wellesley Health Department wants to be sure you know the difference between the flu and a cold.  See the widget here if you need to know Where in Wellesley to Get a Flu Shot, but be sure to call the pharmacy beforehand to …

• Photos (1)

Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s Leap Year Babies

These babies were born today, Feb. 29, 2012 at NWH.

There are those that technically only have a birthday once every four years. They’re the people born on Feb. 29. NWH is giving out a "tree frog" (stuffed animal, not a real one!) with three Gerber daisies in a vase to all of our Leap Year Babies today, according to Newton-Wellesley Hospital spokeswoman Rachel Kagno. This year there have been four babies born today so far. Here is information on two babies born today at NWH: First Leap Year Baby Born at NWH! Parents: Chris and Kristin Smith of Wellesley  Baby Boy: Evan Christopher Smith  Born on 2/29/12 at 12:50am  Weighed 9lbs, 5oz. This is the couple's first child. ****** Parents: Adam and Lauren Belmont of Wellesley Baby Girl: Eleanor "Nora" Rose Belmont Born on 2/29/12 at 1:22am Weighed…

• Photos (2)

Wellesley Twins Believed to be First Born in 2012

The babies were born at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, reports the Boston Globe.

Wellesley residents Sarah and Chris Grillo can lay claim to being New Year's parents. According to the Boston Globe, Grace Kathleen Grillo and her brother, Luke Christopher, are thought to be the first born in the Boston area in 2012. The twins each weighed a little over four pounds, and were delivered at 12:10 a.m. and 12:11 a.m., respectively at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The Boston Herald reported that the Grillos had originally planned to give birth at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, but were turned away due to lack of space. “All the beds for the babies were full,” Chris Grillo told the Herald. Patch has reached out to representatives at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, but no births have yet been reported.

• Photos (1)