Last week, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Allergist and Immunologist Dr. Lisa Roth participated in a NY1 News interview in which she shared helpful tips with viewers about this year’s allergy season.

Dr. Roth along with other experts in her field agree that the unseasonably chilly temperatures we have experienced, and a seemingly delayed spring are indicative of what could be a severe allergy season that yields high pollen counts.

In anticipation of the pollen surge, health departments nationwide, including the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) are encouraging healthcare providers to prepare allergy sufferers now for the upcoming season.

Data included in an advisory distributed by NYC DOHMH indicate, “In New York City, over-the-counter allergy medication sales typically increase in late April to early May, coinciding with peak concentrations of certain tree pollens.”  The advisory also shared that asthma-related emergency department visits tend to increase during this time of year, especially among children.

Dr. Roth has been preparing patients for allergy season in several ways, one of which is by helping them to identify their triggers through testing. “It is important to conduct allergy tests to determine the cause of their symptoms. Often people purchase over the counter drugs to treat symptoms but they may not be treating the correct cause for their discomfort,” she explained.   Once the cause is identified, Dr. Roth recommends treatment options that may include medication to control symptoms or immunotherapy.

Other ways Dr. Roth has been preparing patients for this year’s dreaded allergy season is working with parents of children with asthma, as elements in the environment during this time of year can exacerbate their symptoms. “ I remind parents that it is very important that their child’s asthma is managed well before pollen season begins.  I help them to develop or update written asthma management plans,” explains Dr. Roth.  Educating parents about symptom trigger avoidance is also a key factor in managing asthma during allergy season.

As for seasonal allergy sufferers, Dr. Roth recommends the following tips to prepare for the season and manage symptoms:  monitor pollen and mold counts, keep doors and windows shut in your home and car, begin taking medications prescribed by your allergist now to avoid inflammation, clean the air in your home with a HEPA filter, wash your face and hair as soon as you get home and wash linens and clothing frequently.

Watch the interview here:

Last month, the Department of Psychiatry at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center unveiled the anonymous artwork of patients in therapy at the Queens Museum.  This momentous event took place shortly after both hospitals celebrated Creative Arts Therapy Week.

Creative Arts Therapy Week is observed each year, in the third week of March, to raise awareness of the importance of utilizing creative art modalities to improve treatment outcomes for patients in therapy. This year, Jamaica and Flushing Hospital celebrated the observance by hosting the public art exhibit “Creating Balance.”

Creating Balance featured several pieces of art that illustrated the thoughts and reflections of patients participating in therapy.  Artwork with vibrant colors and self-expressive notes were displayed in each hospitals’ main lobby, and enjoyed by the community and staff.

The exhibit was later moved to the Queens Museum where it made its big debut.  An opening reception was held to reveal the artwork.  The event was well attended by several museum visitors, past and present patients as well as their families, artists and staff.  Art spectators actively viewed and explored the various media in which the art was presented.

The showcase included drawings, paintings, sculptures and music. Also presented were a compilation of video and an interactive experience utilizing apps and programs on an iPad.

Overall the MediSys Health Network’s Creating Balance exhibit was a tremendous success. “We achieved our goal of reaching out to the community, to showcase the value of artwork and how it has helped patients and families to facilitate an open discussion about therapy,” stated Michelle Hololob, Chief of Creative Arts Therapy at Jamaica Hospital.

FHMC Patient Safety Awareness Week

Last week, Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center celebrated Patient Safety Awareness Week.

The observance is an initiative promoted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the National Patient Safety Foundation to increase awareness of the importance of patient safety among healthcare professionals and the public.

This year’s campaign focused on fostering a safety culture and encouraging patient engagement. Both hospitals hosted a series of events that engaged the community as well as staff.

At Flushing Hospital, various departments collaborated in providing information used for an educational display that demonstrated the importance of infection control, as well as safety measures for fall prevention. Brochures and other reading materials were also made available in the hospital’s main lobby.

Jamaica Hospital celebrated all week long by engaging the community and employees in a number of activities that included hand sanitizer giveaways; 675 hand gels were distributed during the “Got Soap” hand hygiene campaign. Departments participating in Patient Safety Awareness Week performed Environment of Care (EOC) rounds on 25 patient care units to ensure health and safety requirements were up to par. Hospital guests and employees were also invited to take part in patient-safety related raffles as well as games such as Wheel of Fortune.

One of the highlights of Patient Safety Awareness Week at Jamaica Hospital was the debut of the “Scrubbing in Finesse” music video.  The video, a collaborative effort of several departments, was created to show the community- in a fun and educational way- the many safety measures practiced by staff to ensure patient safety. Scrubbing in Finesse was well received and enjoyed by many.

Patient Safety Awareness Week was a success at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital. We look forward to next year’s creative and educational contributions.

Last week, Dr. Alan Roth; Jamaica Hospital Chairman of Family Medicine and Palliative Care, participated in a one-on-one, studio interview with NY1 News anchor Shannan Ferry to discuss this year’s flu season and the hospital’s Antibiotic Stewardship program.

During an in-depth discussion, Dr. Roth informed viewers about the perils of antibiotics misuse and Jamaica Hospital’s initiatives to curb physicians overprescribing and patients overusing the drug.  “Patients need to be educated that antibiotics are only indicated for bacterial infections. So, if you have a viral infection such as the flu, antibiotics are not helpful at all, in fact, they can be harmful,” he explained.

Jamaica Hospital has developed measures to improve how antibiotics are prescribed by doctors and how patients are using them. As part of its efforts, the hospital has implemented tools to assist physicians in their electronic medical records and has used teaching aids from the CDC’s “Get Smart” public education campaign which includes posters and prescription pads explaining what illnesses are caused by virus vs bacteria, and  whether or not antibiotics are the best course of treatment respectively.

Dr. Roth also discussed factors that may have contributed to the heightened activity of this year’s flu season.  He reminded the public that while the flu shot is not 100% percent effective, it is recommended that people still get vaccinated because it is their best defense against the virus.

Jamaica Hospital strives to improve the overall wellness of the community it serves. Through initiatives such as the Antibiotic Stewardship Program, the hospital aims to provide patients with the information needed to help them lead a healthy life.

Watch the interview here:

The flu is widespread in New York. In a recent report from the New York State Department of Health, it was found that the number of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza has increased by more than 50% in recent weeks.

The emergency room and outpatient facilities at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center have reported higher than average numbers of flu-related cases. In fact, preliminary data indicates the hospital has received nearly as many flu cases in January and February of this year than it has all of last year.

Heightened activity this flu season, and the severity of symptoms caused by the virus has led to a pattern of which hospital physicians such as Dr. Luigi Tullo have been keeping a watchful eye.  “As the cold and flu season approaches its peak, more patients are going to their physicians in hope of receiving antibiotics,” shared Dr. Tullo.   “Unfortunately, many think that antibiotics are the answer but they are not best when treating the flu.”

Antibiotics are appropriate when treating bacterial infections, but not for viruses such as the flu. Over-prescribing antibiotics can lead to the drugs becoming less effective when they are really needed.

Dr. Tullo, a Family Medicine physician and his colleagues, along with the assistance of the United Hospital Fund developed the Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Jamaica Hospital in an effort to educate our community about the proper uses of antibiotics.

As part of its community outreach, the program has utilized several avenues of communication such as posters, prescription pads and patient to doctor discussions to inform people about the hazards of antibiotics misuse.   Recently, Dr. Tullo participated in an interview with NY1 News in hopes to reach the public and educate everyone who watched.

Jamaica Hospital strives to do the best for our patients and hopes that through our efforts, we can improve the long-term health of the community. Since the implementation of the hospital’s Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship program, a preliminary review has shown a 32% decline in total antibiotics prescribed and a 39.9% decrease in antibiotics prescribed for Acute Respiratory Illnesses.

Watch the NY1 Interview Here:

For more than two decades, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. has been a recognizable resource for identifying the area’s Top Doctors.

The organization’s selection process is based on peer nominations, of which more than 50,000 physicians, hospital and healthcare executives are contacted directly for their input. The Castle Connolly physician-led research team then carefully reviews the credentials of every physician that is considered for inclusion in Castle Connolly Guides®, magazine articles and websites. After a thorough review of credentials, nominated physicians are chosen to appear on the list of Castle Connolly Top Doctors.

This year we are pleased to announce that five doctors from Jamaica Hospital and three Flushing Hospital doctors have been selected as Top Doctors in the New York Metro Area for 2018.

Doctors affiliated with the MediSys Health Network are: Cono Grasso MD, Steven Inglis MD, Alan Roth DO, Alan Zeitlin MD, Craig Thurm MD, Allen J. Fishman MD, Riccardo Ricciardi Jr. MD, Jang Chadha MD

The Medisys Health Network prides itself on providing the highest quality of care to all of our patients. We congratulate all of our doctors chosen for the 2018 Castle Connolly Top Doctors Guide.

Baby Girl Shirin

The birth of the first baby in the New Year is one of the most anticipated and celebrated moments across New York City.  To receive the recognition as the hospital to deliver the City’s first baby is one that garners great pride.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is proud to announce that it has had the distinguished honor of delivering the first baby born in New York City in 2018. “It’s an absolute thrill to have the honor of being the hospital where the first baby of the New Year is born,” stated Public Affairs spokesperson Dr. Andrew Rubin.

On Monday, January 1^st at 12:01 a.m., the hospital’s labor and delivery team welcomed baby girl Kazi Ariana Shirin.  As reported, the bouncing baby arrived a few days earlier than her anticipated due date to ring in the New Year.  Ariana’s parents Tania and Nazir were grateful to the staff for ensuring the safe and successful delivery of their first-born child.  The baby’s father told New York Daily News reporters, the baby’s birth “Was a big celebration. All the nurses, doctors, they cooperated. And we were so amazed because we feel very special.” (Full Daily News article http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/baby-2018-born-flushing-hospital-queens-article-1.3731089)

The joy of baby Shirin’s birth felt familiar to several members of the team because it was only last year that Flushing Hospital celebrated the delivery of baby boy Nathan Peralta; who also nabbed the title of New York City’s First Baby. He was born at 12:08 a.m.

Baby Girl Bari

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center rang in 2018 by celebrating its first birth for the New Year at 1:08 a.m.  Baby girl Bari arrived safely thanks to the hospital’s labor and delivery team, who worked tirelessly to ensure a positive outcome.  The baby’s mother Fatima and grandmother Indranie shared this statement with the community, “A special thank you to all the doctors and nurses at Jamaica Hospital for all you have done to welcome my little angel into this world, safely. You are the best.”

Congratulations to the families on their newest additions. We wish them a lifetime of happiness.   Our congratulations also go to the staff at Flushing and Jamaica Hospital that assisted with these special deliveries. Your hard work and commitment to patient safety are greatly appreciated by all.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recently celebrated the major milestone of becoming the first hospital in Queens to offer a milk depot to the community.

To mark the momentous occasion, the hospital hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Staff involved in the coordination of the project as well as representatives from the New York Milk Bank and other community organizations were in attendance.

During the opening remarks, Roseanne Motti; Operations Manager for the New York Milk Bank,  applauded members of Jamaica Hospital’s staff for their determination to bring the project to fruition and offer women and babies in the community a much-needed service.

The event’s guest of honor, Conny Suriel, was recognized for being the milk depot’s first donor.  Upon accepting a beautiful bouquet of roses, Conny shared with guests why giving back was so important to her. “I’m a donor because I am honoring the memory of my baby.”  Although Conny’s daughter passed away, she felt that it was important to give other babies a chance to survive by becoming a donor.

Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot is vital because it serves as a safe location where women in the community who choose to donate their excess breast milk can make a deposit.  After the milk is collected, it is sent to the New York Milk Bank for testing and pasteurization.   Once processed, the milk is distributed to help mothers who are unable to breastfeed their premature babies or infants with weakened immune systems.

For babies who are born premature, breast milk not only serves as nutrition but also as medicine. It helps to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening disease that can damage or destroy the intestinal tracts of preemies.

Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot is now open to the public and welcomes donors approved by the New York Milk Bank to donate their excess breast milk.

If you are interested in becoming a donor, please contact the New York Milk Bank at 212-956-6455.  A representative will help you with the process, which includes a health screening and a blood test.  Further information is also provided on their website, www. NYMilkBank.org.

To learn more about depositing milk at Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot, located on the 3rd floor of the Axel building, in the WIC department, please call 718-206-8607 or visit, www. JamaicaHospital.org.

Every month, employees at Jamaica Hospital who go above and beyond to help coworkers, patients and visitors are nominated for the G.E.M award.

G.E.M stands for Going the Extra Mile and recipients are recognized for their hard work, team spirit, kindness, and professionalism.

This month’s G.E.M recipients are:

• Evelyn Loli, ACR, Emergency Department
• Giselle Byjoo, Sr. Accounting Clerk, Patient Financial Services
• Ana Pacora, ACR, Emergency Department

Congratulations to you all. Keep up the excellent work in helping us to serve our community.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Shape Up NYC, a program created by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, to offer a free low impact exercise class to the community.

Improving the health and wellness of the community it serves is a high priority at Jamaica Hospital. The hospital offers many free programs that provide its population with the resources needed to lead a healthy life.

Providing a free low impact total body workout offers many benefits to participants including improved balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. The program also promotes good heart health.

Classes begin on September 27, 2017, and are offered every Wednesday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. They will take place at the hospital’s fitness center, the MediFit Gym; 134-20 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica NY 11418, on the third floor.  All are welcome to participate.

For more information, please visit

 https://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/shape-up-nyc