On August 12, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center held a special ceremony to mark the major achievement of receiving a deficiency-free score following an intensive trauma verification and review process conducted by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

According to the ACS, each assessment is based on “commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement, and other relevant features of the program as outlined in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.”

The American College of Surgeon’s verification affirmed the hospital’s ability to provide first-rate care to trauma patients of all levels. “ACS standards require a hospital to have the best of the best in critical care,” explained Trauma Medical Director; Dr. Geoffrey Doughlin.

While validation from accredited organizations such as the American College of Surgeons is very important to the hospital’s leadership and staff, the experiences of patients are as equally valued.  Each year the trauma team treats over 1,700 patients and on countless occasions has saved the lives of many.

One of the many patients treated includes New York City Police Officer Kenneth Healey, who attended the verification ceremony and was happy to attest to Jamaica Hospital trauma team’s high level of performance and commitment to positive patient outcomes.

Healey shared his testimony with several news outlets as to how the trauma team saved his life. “I feel lucky to be standing in front of you today,” the Officer told reporters. “I had all my needs met and it’s all thanks to the doctors and nurses that were by my side.”  In 2014, Officer Healey was viciously attacked and struck in the head while on duty; he was rushed to Jamaica Hospital where he received life-saving care. During the ceremony, Healey reunited with the team that treated him, this included surgeon, Dr. Harrison Mu.

Jamaica Hospital has been providing trauma care since 1985 and over the years has developed a reputation for experience and expertise in the field.  The hospital is a destination of choice for doctors to train and is actively engaged in trauma research to enhance patient outcomes.

The trauma division’s initiatives also include community outreach, implementing educational programs and embracing plans such as Vision Zero, to help in the prevention of trauma-related injuries and death.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to continue to serve the community and as demonstrated by the recent ACS verification, continue to save lives every day, even under the most extreme circumstances.

Overall, the Trauma Verification ceremony was a tremendous success and has been covered by several news outlets, here are a few:

NY1

New York Daily News 

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/survived-hatchet-slash-returns-jamaica-hospital-article-1.2749218

Queens Chronicle 

http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/jamaica-hospital-mc-to-upgrade-hospice/article_dacf9299-89b9-5554-a92e-ebbcb5414076.html

Dr. Raoof visiting patients during MAD Rounds with administrator James Villavicencio.

Dr. Sabiha Raoof; Chairwoman of Radiology for Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center was featured in last month’s edition of  the American College of Radiation’s  publication, the ACR  Bulletin.

Dr. Raoof was interviewed for an extended article titled “A Combined Approach”, which highlighted radiologists who are ‘working with their colleagues to improve the patient experience through initiatives big and small.’

The article delved into the importance of optimizing the patient experience, by simply finding out what patients want.  Methods used to obtain this type of information typically include extracting opinions and data from electronic surveys.

Dr. Raoof was recognized for her unique approach to finding out what patients want by meeting with them directly.  She initiated the MAD (Making a Difference) Rounds project at Jamaica Hospital, which was created along with the help of hospital leaders to ensure that patients receive the best quality care during their stay.   The project, later adopted at Flushing Hospital, involves the participation of nearly 100 clinicians and administrators who make rounds each day, asking patients how they are feeling and if they need anything. “The MAD team’s goal is to solve any issues a patient has immediately,”Dr. Raoof explained.  She went on to say “We want patients to feel empowered to ask questions and tell us how we can make their health care experience better.”

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center are taking steps to becoming “High-Reliability Hospitals.” The MAD program is one of several initiatives that have been created to increase patient satisfaction.  Hospital leaders and staff are continuously exploring ways to make time spent at both campuses a positive experience for all.

Last month, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Trauma Division and NYPD officials collaborated on a well-received community outreach event – warning the public about the dangers of distracted driving.

The event was centered on Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an observance created by the National Safety Council to draw attention to the large number of accidents and fatalities that occur as a result of not paying attention to the road while driving.

Each year the hospital’s trauma division receives over 1,500 patients and a substantial number of their injuries or fatalities are caused by distracted driving.  In fact, national statistics report that on average, one in four vehicle crashes involves the use of a cell phone while driving.

However, the act of driving while distracted does not only involve cell phone use, as told by Dr. Geoffrey Doughlin; Jamaica Hospital’s Chairperson of Emergency Services during media interviews. “There are three types of distracted driving: visual- taking your eyes off the road, manual-taking your hands off the wheel and cognitive- taking your mind off driving.” Doughlin further explained to reporters, “Distracted driving activities also include eating, applying makeup or talking to passengers.”

WATCH NY1 Media Interview here:

Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division actively conducts research on motor vehicle and pedestrian safety. The research is utilized in industry publications, as a resource for the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and in other hospital community outreach efforts.  The division was awarded funding by the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in 2015 and 2016 for their Safer Street Queens project.

The objectives of New York City’s Vision Zero initiative coincide with those of our Trauma Division, which is essentially making streets safer for all who use them. Vision Zero, Street Team Officers are often seen in neighborhoods engaging residents while handing out safe driving and pedestrian safety reading materials. Officers did the same the day of the event by standing in front of the hospital and handing out Vision Zero materials to all who walked by.

The efforts of programs such as Vision Zero and Safer Streets Queens have yielded positive results. NYPD Chief of Transportation, Thomas Chan shared that the areas in South East Queens have seen a 45% decrease in fatalities and education as well as enforcement has played a large part in that achievement. Chief Chan informed Queens Ledger reporters, “We’re seeing a difference.”  “Two years in a row we’ve had decreases since the inception of Vision Zero. There’s always room for improvement and we’re going to continue to work on these particular issues.”

Overall, the event was successful; we would like to thank the staff of Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division and the NYPD for their commitment to educating our community on road rules and safety.

From L-R Arlette Cunningham; Volunteer Manager JHMC, Mohan Dyal and WABC TV news anchor Ken Rosato

Earlier this spring, Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center volunteers Dylan Gettings and Mohan Dyal were honored at the United Hospital Fund’s 23rd annual Hospital Auxillian and Volunteer Achievement Awards ceremony.

Eighty-seven volunteers from 61 hospitals throughout New York were honored for providing exceptional service to the hospitals where they volunteer.  Gettings from Flushing Hospital and Dyal from Jamaica Hospital were selected from thousands of nominees who dedicated millions of hours of their time to volunteering.

The volunteers came from all walks of life, a wide range of professions and have served in various hospital settings.  Mohan Dyal, a retired farmer from Guyana, was recognized for starting a foster grandparent program at Jamaica Hospital.  He volunteers thirty hours every week, engaging children in a variety of activities while they wait to see their doctor. Dylan Gettings volunteers in the General Stores Department at Flushing Hospital where he helps the staff take care of the hospital’s massive inventory, as well as delivering supplies to various departments.  The members of the store room have fallen under Dylan’s spell and treat him as “family”.

The MediSys Health Network honorees were acknowledged in front of a crowd of 700 attendees at the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria.

At the event, Jim Tallon the President of the United Hospital Fund stated, “If there is one event a year that reaffirms the goodness of people, it’s easy to make a case that it’s this one.”  We are proud to say that two of those good people are volunteers from Jamaica and Flushing Hospital.

Congratulations Dylan Gettings and Mohan Dyal on this great achievement and we are grateful for your dedication to our hospitals.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has taken another stride in providing state-of-the-art technology and services for deaf and hard of hearing patients.  Earlier this month, the hospital’s Language Assistance department proudly announced the successful installation of a public Videophone booth.

The device is the latest addition to multiple language assistance tools offered by the hospital to ensure that guests who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to multiple lines of communication. These individuals will be able to use the Videophone to make and receive telephone calls via American Sign Language interpretation.  There is no cost to the caller or the person receiving the call.

The Videophone booth is located in the main lobby of the hospital, next to the information desk. Employees are encouraged to direct deaf or hard of hearing guests to this area should they need to make a phone call through an interpreter.

It is important for employees to note that individuals who are not deaf or hard of hearing will not be able to use the device; because in order to start a call, the caller must click that he/she is deaf and communicates by using American Sign Language.

Members of Jamaica Hospital’s Language Assistance Program worked collaboratively with the IT, Patient Access and Engineering departments to complete this project.  Together, they are exploring the implementation of Videophones in inpatient units.  The team will also be installing the device at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in the near future.

For any questions or technical issues involving the Videophone, please contact the Language Assistance Program 718- 206- 8742 or 718- 206- 8671.

The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Psychiatry Department’s annual child and adolescent symposium has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the Queens medical community. This year marked the seventh anniversary of the popular program and over 100 people filled the auditorium of the Old Trump Pavilion to discuss the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Its implication and relevance to our practice.”

The topic of Childhood Obesity was judiciously selected by doctors Vinod Dhar; Associate Chairman of Psychiatry and Madhu Rajanna; Director of Psychiatry Residency Training because obesity has become a health crisis in our nation.  The physicians had the goal of not only raising awareness of the disease’s physical implications but also shedding light on the negative effects it can have on children’s mental health.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Chairman of Psychiatry Dr. Seeth Vivek and a warm welcome from Jamaica Hospital CEO and President, Mr. Bruce Flanz. An impressive roster of speakers later followed which included Sarita Dhuper M.D. Director of Pediatric Cardiology at Brookdale Hospital and Founder of the Live Light, Live Right Obesity program, as well as Bertrand Winsberg M.D.  Child Psychiatrist for the Division of Metabolic Disorders Essex County Hospital and our own Madhu Rajanna M.D.

The speakers discussed several subjects such as:  the emerging concepts in childhood obesity, the psychological consequences of childhood obesity and anti psychotics and weight gain in children. Presentations were followed  by a dynamic question and answer session facilitated by Dr. Kamalendra Sen, Jamaica Hospital Child Psychiatrist.

Overall, the event was a great success; it left many enthralled and looking forward to next year’s symposium.

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital  or Facebook.com/Flushing Hospital 

and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center has taken great strides in the last few months to make our patients as comfortable as possible while they are staying with us. A hospital stay can be very stressful and also very uncomfortable.

Having some of the comforts of home has proven to make the time spent in a hospital less stressful. We understand how important it is for our patients to stay connected with their loved ones and the outside world. To help make this possible, during the spring of 2015 we began offering free Wi-Fi service to our patients and on October 1, 2015 we began offering free TV and phone service as well.

Our staff works very hard to ensure that every patient has a pleasant stay when they are in the hospital. We will continue to develop and execute initiatives to offer our patients the highest quality of services.

President and C.E.O of Jamaica Hospital, Bruce J. Flanz presented Dr. Cono Grasso with an award of recognition.

Last Saturday Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated its 124^th Anniversary Rainbow Ball at Citi Field. The Rainbow Ball is an opportunity for supporters of Jamaica Hospital to celebrate its accomplishments and raise funds for future projects.  A guest of honor is also recognized each year for their devotion to the hospital. This year’s honoree was Dr. Cono Grasso; Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology.

The event commenced with the singing of the national anthem followed by a warm greeting from President and C.E.O of Jamaica Hospital, Bruce J. Flanz.

Mr. Flanz later introduced Dr. Grasso to over 500 guests and presented him with the distinguished award of recognition-which Dr. Grasso graciously accepted amidst the applause and cheers from the crowd.  He thanked his family, friends and colleagues for supporting him and believing in his vision for the ophthalmology department.

For the remainder of the evening guests enjoyed a delicious spread of food and desserts, participated in mini golf challenges and danced to a live band.  The fun carried on during the raffle and grand prize drawing where contestants won trips, gift cards and electronics.

In all the 124^th Anniversary Rainbow Ball was a great success and celebration of, as best said by our President Mr. Flanz, “a true gentleman whose dedication and compassion to our patients and the community that we serve is an inspiration to all.” Congratulations Dr. Cono Grasso on being this year’s honoree and thank you for your dedication to Jamaica Hospital.

For more pictures from this event, as well as other hospital highlights join Jamaica and Flushing Hospital on social media:

Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital  or Facebook.com/Flushing Hospital 

and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Flu season is here and with it comes dreadful flu symptoms. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, requiring hospitalization and in some cases can lead to death.   The best way to protect yourself and others around you from the spread of the virus is to get the flu vaccine. It is your strongest line of defense. According to Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), the flu shot reduces the chances of getting the flu by 70 to 90%.

It is important to get a flu shot every year because flu viruses are constantly changing.  New vaccines are created each year to offer you optimal protection.  The CDC recommends that everyone from the ages of six months and older receive an annual vaccination. The flu vaccine works by stimulating your immune system to develop antibodies that attack the flu virus.

The flu vaccine is the best preventative step you can take against infection. The shot is now available at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s offices of Occupational Health or the main lobby in each hospital.

If you choose not to receive vaccination, please inform our offices of Occupation Health Services by completing the Refusal to Receive section of their Influenza Vaccination Encounter form.  Beginning November 16^th those who do  not receive the vaccination will be required to wear face masks at all times in areas where patients may be present.  Hospital employees will be locked out of Kronos beginning December 1^st if the paper work is not received.  Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disciplinary actions.

For more details on the flu vaccine please call Jamaica Hospital’s Occupation Health Services at 718 206 6812 or Flushing Hospital’s Occupational Health Services at 718 670 5630.

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital  or Facebook.com/Flushing Hospital 

and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Did you know New York is ranked last in the entire country for the percentage of residents registered as organ donors? Even more concerning is the fact that a New Yorker dies every 18 hours while waiting for an organ donation.  In response to these alarming statistics Jamaica Hospital Medical Center partnered with LiveOnNY-a federally designated organ procurement organization to help raise awareness and increase the number of organ donors.

On October 6th both organizations participated in New York’s first ever Organ Donor Enrollment Day. This campaign was executed with one goal in mind: to enroll as many willing New Yorkers as possible in one day to become registered organ donors.  Staff and volunteers from LiveOnNY and Jamaica Hospital rallied passersby in the main lobby and cafeteria of the hospital to sign up.

Key figures who represented Jamaica Hospital at the event were William Lynch, Executive Vice President and COO; Dr. Alan Roth, Chairman of Family Medicine and Palliative Care and Dr. Anthony DiMaria, Vice President and Medical Director of Trump Pavilion.  Each of which have been instrumental in developing our partnership with LiveOnNY and advocating for this important cause.

Dr. Anthony DiMaria understands first-hand the importance of organ donation.  He spoke openly to the media and shared his personal experience of being a New Yorker who received a much needed organ donation.  “I was going out—down to the end when I was informed that I was going to receive a heart,” said Dr. DiMaria. “I’ve said it before but I’ve been given life twice.” He also went on to tell reporters that his donor was a man from the Dominican Republic and that he still to this day keeps in touch with the donor’s family. The media fondly dubbed him as “The Italian with the Dominican Heart.”

Jamaica Hospital been an advocate for organ donation for many years, we have been “sounding the alarm for donor registration for decades,” stated Mr. Lynch. It is our goal to continue these efforts and help save lives.

To read and watch the media stories of Jamaica Hospital’s and LiveOnNY’s Organ Donor Enrollment Day, please click the links below:

http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/41/organdonor_2015_10_09_q.html

http://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/jamaica-hospital-touts-organ-donor-sign-ups/article_925e5ab4-126a-5f2d-8a61-caf6d21c615a.html

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/10/6/jamaica-hospital-hosts-organ-donor-registration-day.html

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital  or Facebook.com/Flushing Hospital 

and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC