Author Archives: Jacob Labosco

Jamaica Hospital Receives Baby-Friendly Hospital Re-Designation

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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been re-designated as a Baby-Friendly hospital. The designating organization, Baby-Friendly USA, works throughout the United States to uphold standards of optimal care set by the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) for breastfeeding-related services and education in hospitals and birthing centers.

The Baby-Friendly designation requires that hospitals educate both clinical and non-clinical staff to the extent that is most appropriate for their department and position. Additionally, they are required to implement policies and provide resources to accommodate healthy breastfeeding practices for new mothers.

“This re-designation attests to the fact that we are continuing to adhere to those standards,” said Marge Lilienthal, Director of Nursing, Behavioral Health, and Women and Children’s Services at Jamaica Hospital. Lilienthal worked with key individuals across a wide variety of departments covering inpatient and outpatient services to coordinate and organize the initiatives responsible for earning the hospital this prestigious designation.

At Jamaica Hospital, adherence to Baby-Friendly USA’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (the broad framework that guides the BFHI) is overseen by the Interdisciplinary Breastfeeding Committee.  This group includes nurses, physicians, midwives, and lactation specialists, as well as representation from STORK clinical informatics/IT, professional development, and administrative staff.  The committee reviews data on a monthly basis, evaluating current breastfeeding initiatives and implementing corrective actions as needed.

Since first being designated as a Baby-Friendly hospital in 2017, Jamaica Hospital has evolved its approach to breastfeeding-related care. “One of our most significant improvements has been to standardize our approach to breastfeeding and feeding education across the continuum of prenatal and neonatal care,” said Lilienthal. “We also continue to improve our relationship with community agencies, which is very important to the care we provide and to ensuring the continuity of support to our patients and families.”

Jamaica Hospital partners with community agencies to provide additional breastfeeding support to new mothers. Some of these agencies include:

  • Chocolate Milk Café
  • Baby Café of Brownsville
  • Healthy Start
  • Public Health Solutions
  • New York Lactation Consultant Association
  • Citywide Doula Initiative

Additionally, the hospital provides support for breastfeeding mothers through the Jamaica Hospital WIC Program, the Women’s Health Center, and the 24/7 Breastfeeding Warmline, which can be reached at (929) 356-9809.

Jamaica Hospital Hosts ER Groundbreaking Ceremony with Governor Kathy Hochul

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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Emergency Department (ED) on Friday, June 16th. This is the first major expansion of the hospital’s ED to occur in over three decades.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined the hospital in commemorating this momentous occasion as a special guest speaker. The Governor awarded Jamaica Hospital $150 million in funds for the expansion as part of the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program.

“With this new beginning, we say that this community and this hospital matter,” said Governor Hochul. “We’re going to continue working together with this $150 million investment in the future of the health of this community.”

Governor Hochul was joined by over 500 guests in a tent on the site of the new ER. Congressman Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards both spoke at the event, praising the Governor’s investment and its potential to help Jamaica Hospital improve healthcare outcomes for the Queens community. Other attendees included Senators Joseph Addabbo and Leroy Comrie, Assemblymembers Alicia Hyndman and David Weprin, and Councilmember Lynn Schulman.

The new ED will double in size and have the capacity to treat over 150,000 patients annually. In addition to increased space, the ED, designed with efficiency and safety in mind, will incorporate a layout that allows for better patient privacy, experience, and safety.

The new Emergency Department design features three additional trauma rooms (bringing the total to four) with negative air pressure to prevent the spread of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. These state-of-the-art trauma rooms, equipped with the latest technology, will also be added to support the demands of the busiest trauma center in New York City.

Another component of the expansion includes the addition of 22 intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The need for an increase in ICU beds was made apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when Jamaica Hospital found itself at the epicenter of the outbreak treating a surge of critically ill patients.

Jamaica Hospital’s Emergency Department expansion project is expected to be completed by 2027. The expansion will greatly improve access to quality emergency care in Southeast Queens and neighboring communities. “We thank Governor Hochul for supporting and investing in New York Hospitals. Her commitment to building a strong and equitable healthcare system will undoubtedly help our organization and others to provide the highest quality care to the communities we serve,” said Jamaica Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz.

Flushing Hospital Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Dental Center

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Flushing Hospital Medical Center hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new, state-of-the-art dental center.

In addition to various members of the hospital’s faculty, administration, and staff, Congresswoman Grace Meng, a long-time supporter of Flushing Hospital and advocate for improved health care resources in the community, attended the ceremony.

Flushing Hospital’s Dental Department currently treats an average of 11,000 patients each year. With the improved capabilities of the new dental center, this number is expected to increase to over 14,000 patients, an increase of more than 20%.

The 3,550-square-foot facility features eight examination rooms, one imaging room, one laboratory, and one sterilization room. The center is expected to significantly improve dental patient capacity and treatment efficiency at the hospital and expand community access to a variety of specialized dental treatments.

The dental center also features a wide range of new equipment, including a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) machine with 3D imaging, fiber-optic handpieces in all operatories, and all-new dental delivery units with monitors for patients to see their radiographs and better understand their treatment plan. Other amenities include curing lights, specialized sterilization cassettes, a larger registration area, and a larger, more convenient waiting area.

“Our new facility allows us to provide our full range of dental treatment options to a higher volume of patients,” said Dr. Bijan Anvar, Chairman of Flushing Hospital’s Department of Dental Medicine. “With this expanded capacity, we can make a greater impact on dental health in our community, particularly for patients experiencing common conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease.”

Across the United States, approximately 90% of all adults have had at least one cavity and nearly half of all adults show signs of gum disease. Over half of all children have also had cavities in their baby or adult teeth. These problems are more common among underserved communities. With the expanded care resources offered by Flushing Hospital’s new dental center, patients have closer local access to specialized treatment for these conditions and others.

“We’re excited to provide the Flushing community with a new, state-of-the-art destination for accessible, high-quality dental care,” said Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO of Flushing Hospital. “The facility and the cutting-edge equipment it features provide our dental team with the tools they need to offer an even higher level of dental care to our patients.”

Flushing Hospital’s Dental Department provides treatments in several specialty areas, including pedodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, implantology, orthodontics, endodontics, and periodontics. These treatments are provided by a team of 41 attending physicians, eight residents, and 10 support staff members.

Appointments at Flushing Hospital’s Dental Department are available from 9 AM to 5 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 9 AM to 8:30 PM on Wednesday.

Jamaica Hospital Hosts Town Hall on MediSys and MSK Clinical Collaboration

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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center hosted a town hall to provide more information about the new clinical collaboration between the MediSys Health Network and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The town hall was held both in-person in Jamaica Hospital’s “D” Building and virtually for attendees at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Several presenters spoke about how this collaboration would help bring world-class cancer care to patients in Queens and discussed plans for the future of the partnership in detail. The first phase of the relationship is expected to bring a robust new oncology program to the network, as well as opportunities for patient participation in clinical trials.

David Pfister, MD, Chief of the Head and Neck Oncology Service at MSK and Associate Deputy Physician-in-Chief of Strategic Partnerships, spoke at the event about his enthusiasm regarding the future of MSK’s collaboration with MediSys and the objectives it is being designed to achieve. “The goal of the collaboration is to provide the highest quality cancer care locally,” said Dr. Pfister. “Central to our strategy is for MediSys to improve and grow its own cancer program with MSK’s assistance.”

Dr. Sabiha Raoof, Chief Medical Officer and Chairperson of Radiology at MediSys, also spoke at the town hall, outlining the importance of resources for patient navigation and how her own experiences as a breast cancer patient at MSK showed her how essential this aspect of care is for the program.

“My experience receiving cancer treatment taught me how complex it really is to navigate health care. It took a whole team to ensure I received the best care possible,” said Dr. Raoof.

Dr. Rosa Nouvini, an Assistant Attending and Junior Faculty Council Vice Chair at MSK as well as a key figure in building the MediSys oncology program, also spoke briefly about her experiences treating patients as part of the collaboration so far.

“Personal connections that help to better understand patients’ life experiences and barriers to health care are an important part of how we offer the best cancer treatment possible,” said Dr. Nouvini. “It’s been amazing to bring that approach and the quality of MSK’s cancer care to MediSys.”

The partnership between MediSys and MSK is ultimately expected to significantly reduce socioeconomic, language, and education-related obstacles to quality cancer care for the diverse population of over 2.4 million Queens residents. “This is a terrific partnership,” said Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO of the MediSys Health Network. “Our culturally and ethnically diverse patient population will gain access to world-class cancer care not only now, but for generations to come.”

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Brings New Blood Clot Treatment to Queens

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One in 1,000 adults across the United States is diagnosed with a blood clot that can lead to chronic and potentially life-threatening issues. However, thanks to an innovative blood clot treatment offered at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, the risk of serious complications can be reduced in some patients, increasing the survival rate for blood clots.

The device, ClotTriever, is used for patients suffering from blood clots in the legs, where they most commonly form. It’s a minimally invasive means of extracting clots from the body that potentially allows patients to return home from treatment as soon as the same day. The treatment is then followed up with ongoing blood thinner medication to manage any remaining symptoms.

For patients with chronic blood clots, which are clots that have been present for over ten days, a variant of ClotTriever (ClotTriever BOLD) can be administered.

“Prior to this technology, patients would present with a clot and be prescribed three months of blood thinners,” said Dr. Mina Guerges, Attending Vascular Surgeon at Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. “Unfortunately, blood thinners don’t get rid of an existing clot. They only prevent further clots from forming.”

Dr. Guerges added that the previous method of ongoing blood thinner treatment has led to about 30% of patients developing post-thrombotic syndrome, causing swelling and pain as a result of the pre-existing clot. ClotTriever reduces the severity of this condition.

This procedure isn’t the right choice for all patients suffering from clots, though. Before receiving the treatment, patients must undergo a venogram, which involves injecting dye that causes veins to appear on an x-ray. It is important to note that this dye can cause a reaction in people with kidney disease. Additionally, patients who don’t typically move around much or suffer from comorbidities that create a low quality of life may not see many benefits from ClotTriever.

“This treatment is reserved for patients who are either suffering from debilitating clot-related symptoms or are relatively young and mobile,” said Dr. Guerges.

If you’re looking for blood clot treatment options, schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Ambulatory Care by calling (718) 206-7001 now.

Exploring the MediSys Health Network’s Tea Time Program

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Patient satisfaction is always a priority across the MediSys Health Network. One new initiative designed to improve our patients’ experience is the Tea Time program, where hospital volunteers offer friendly interaction along with hot beverages and healthy snacks.

The program was first introduced at Flushing Hospital Medical Center last month, where it has been well-received by patients. Now, after working to expand the initiative’s reach, Network Director of Person-Centered Services Oksana Galibova has brought Tea Time to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

“So far, the feedback has been amazing,” said Oksana. “The feeling of making somebody happy is very motivating for our volunteers.”

According to the program, Tea Time volunteers visit each patient unit with a decorated cart carrying the items they serve. Volunteers also take time to interact with patients and assist with small tasks like cleaning up garbage in their rooms and moving items so that they’re easier to reach. All of these tasks are important parts of making sure patients are receiving a high level of care.

The Tea Time program has been a rewarding experience for the volunteers. What they enjoy most is interacting and conversing with those patients that are lonely is especially important for making sure their experience at the hospital is as positive as possible.

Given how new the program is at both hospitals, there’s also plenty of room for it to change and grow over time as Oksana continues to receive feedback, whether that comes in the form of new snack options like Jell-O or revising the program’s schedule.

“There are enhancements we’re considering for the future of the program,” said Oksana. “As Tea Time continues, we’ll look at our progress and the feedback we’re getting to see what kinds of changes we can make.”

Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2022 at Jamaica Hospital

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From August 1st to 7th each year, Jamaica Hospital highlights its support for pregnant and nursing mothers in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week.

World Breastfeeding Week began 30 years ago as an initiative by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to shed light on the many benefits of breastfeeding for newborn children and their families, including food security, nutritional benefits, and poverty reduction.

According to the WABA, this year’s main goal for World Breastfeeding Week is to strengthen the capacity of health systems, governments, communities, and other groups “to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for families in the post-pandemic world.”

When it comes to supporting pregnant and nursing mothers with a healthy environment for breastfeeding, this year is also an important one for Jamaica Hospital in particular.

Jamaica Hospital currently in the Re-Designation Phase for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a UNICEF program that recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal environment and meet high standards of care for breastfeeding. The Baby-Friendly USA designation is provided to care centers that recognize and promote breast milk as the standard for infant feeding.

The process runs from January 2021 through December 2022. To demonstrate compliance with the BFHI’s standards, Jamaica Hospital is assisting staff in developing their expertise and caregiving capacity for mothers and infants.

In addition to equipping care providers with the information they need to maintain a high level of care for breastfeeding mothers and infants, Jamaica Hospital offers a variety of programs to support both patients and staff. These include:

  • Breastfeeding classes
  • A lactation room for patients, visitors, and staff
  • A milk depot for infants who are born prematurely or whose mothers cannot produce milk on their own
  • Frenectomies for babies who face breastfeeding difficulties due to tongue tie