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:

In an effort to improve the overall wellness of our community and employees, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has partnered with the New York City Department of Parks and  Recreation’s; Shape Up NYC, to offer free Stretch and Release classes to everyone.

The class will be taught by the hospital’s own Janis Sharkey, Clinical Nurse Manager, who specializes in holistic care.  It will focus on applying principles of the Alexander Technique and Cantienica to stretch and strengthen muscles, as well as improve balance. Postures and movements are similar to Yoga.

Stretch and Release will begin on February 1st and will take place every Thursday at 5:15 pm at the MediFit Gym at Jamaica Hospital. Employees are encouraged to attend.

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.

Submitted by: Laura Wang, RD, CDN, CLC Women’s Health Dietitian, Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Food & Nutrition Department was a recipient of the first Green Your Cuisine grant from The Fund for Public Health in New York City.

The grant was created to encourage healthy eating through nutrition education and cooking demonstrations.

The hospital earned the grant as a result of its hard work in implementing many community outreach initiatives which include a series of seminars and workshops.

These events were held at local libraries, schools and various community centers throughout Flushing and Corona. Flushing Hospital Registered Dietitians Marsha Sommervil and Laura Wang educated the community about ways to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their daily diet.  Cooking demonstrations were also conducted where participants learned how to prepare healthy and delicious meals.

During each event, guests received Health Bucks which are $2 vouchers that can be used at New York City Green Markets to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. The vouchers are a provision of the Green Your Cuisine grant.

The Food and Nutrition Department’s workshops have been widely successful. Participants have shown great appreciation for what they learned and have verbalized that they now have the knowledge needed to make healthy eating a part of their daily routines.

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.

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 award goes to the MediSys Disaster Relief team which includes staff from Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Each team member was recognized for their volunteer efforts in providing medical and humanitarian aid to people living in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria.

Last month, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Smoking Cessation Team joined with the American Cancer Society and participated in The Great American Smokeout.

The American Cancer Society encourages everyone to take part in the nationwide event which helps to make people aware of the dangers of using tobacco products as well as the tools that are available to help them quit smoking.

The Smoking Cessation Team hosted an informational table in the hospital’s lobby. Visitors and employees were given information on the best ways to quit and the reasons why quitting is beneficial to their health.

Smoking cigarettes affect many aspects of health. Tobacco smoke contains about 7000 chemicals, including low concentrations of such strong poisons as ammonia, cyanide, arsenic and formaldehyde.  It also contains 69 carcinogens – substances that are known to cause cancers in humans. Direct association has been established between smoking and cancers of the lung, mouth, nose, throat, larynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, stomach, pancreas, cervix, bladder, kidney and blood.

Flushing Hospital’s Smoking Cessation Team strongly encouraged smokers who stopped by the table to quit, so that they can avoid or minimize the negative effects smoking could have on their health. They also educated smokers about the hospital’s Freedom from Smoking Program and shared the following tips to help them quit smoking:

• Get ready: set a quit date and throw out all cigarettes and ashtrays from your home.
• Get support: tell your family, friends and doctor about quitting plan. You can also search the internet for support groups.
• Learn new behaviors: distract yourself from the urge to smoke by doing physical activities- Exercise or go for a walk.
• Get medication: combining medication like nicotine patches or Zyban with behavioral adaptation and family support quadruples your chances of success.
• Be prepared for relapse and difficult situations- most people try to quit a few times before succeeding.

If you would like to learn more about quitting smoking call the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Smoking Cessation Team at 718-670-3146.

On November 18, 2017, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated the important milestone of serving the community for 126 years.  The momentous occasion was commemorated at the hospital’s annual Rainbow Ball dinner- dance and fundraiser which took place at Citi Field. Over 500 guests were in attendance.

The Rainbow Ball is an opportunity for supporters of Jamaica Hospital to celebrate its accomplishments and raise funds for future projects.  Guests of honor are recognized each year for their dedication to the hospital. This year’s honorees were  Charles E. Callahan III; President of Plaza College and Thomas K. Rudzewick; President and Chief Executive Officer of Maspeth Federal Savings.

Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz commenced the evening by welcoming everyone and noting some of the hospital’s many accomplishments achieved in 2017.

For the remainder of the evening, guests enjoyed a delicious spread of food and desserts 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 126^th Anniversary Rainbow Ball was a great success and we thank those who continue to support Jamaica Hospital in our endeavors.