Being admitted to a hospital or having to undergo a procedure can be a very stressful and even scary experience for many patients and their families, and that is especially true when that patient is a child.

In an effort to reduce the stress of our pediatric patients and offer a calming distraction for them, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is now offering children an escape from the hospital environment with the help of the Samsung Applied Virtual Reality headset. This state-of-the-art, interactive tool was purchased by Flushing Hospital thanks to a grant from the Child’s Play Foundation.

This fully mobile, virtual reality technology allows Flushing Hospital’s smallest patients to leave the confinement of their treatment area by taking them on a variety of exciting journeys. Pediatric patients can now relax on a sandy beach or tranquil ocean or they can visit any number of scenic destinations across the country and around the globe, including Los Angeles, Yellowstone National Park, London, Tibet, Iceland or Machu Picchu. The VR software is constantly being updated, offering patients an ever-expanding assortment of places to go to.

The headset is easy to operate and is being used to further assist Flushing Hospital’s Child Life Specialist while they care for patients. This technology offers an entertaining distraction to children when they are receiving important, yet typically anxiety-inducing treatments, such as blood draws, IV insertions, spinal taps, dressing changes and blood transfusions.

The virtual reality headset is utilized by most patients as it requires very little movement by the patient and it has proven to be very effective in helping children cope with stress associated with a clinical environment.

Patients as young as three years old have used the Samsung headsets and thus far, it has received an overwhelmingly positive response from both our patients and their parents. Both providers and family members have expressed that this technology has resulted in increased cooperation and enhanced comfort for our pediatric patients.

Flushing Hospital’s Pediatric Department is very grateful for this generous gift made possible by the Child’s Play Foundation and the staff is equally thrilled to have another tool to help them provide a positive atmosphere for our pediatric patients.

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:

Flushing Hospital Medical Center in conjunction with the New York Surgical Specialists (NYSS) group are proud to announce that they now offer a safe and effective, non-surgical alternative for individuals who struggle with obesity and have unsuccessfully tried to lose weight through conventional diet and exercise.

Weight loss specialists, Sanjeev Rajpal MD, Darshak Shah MD and Noman Khan MD are all excited that Flushing is one of the only hospitals in the area to offer our patients the revolutionary, Obalon weight loss system. Obalon is the first and only non-surgical, and completely non-invasive weight loss treatment option approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Patients who participate in the Obalon treatment swallow a small, coated capsule connected to a thin tube. Once the capsule is digested, it naturally dissolves and a small, lightweight gastric balloon unfolds. This balloon is then filled with medical gases via the tube before it is removed. This process is repeated two more times over a six month period. Each procedure only takes 10 minutes, requires no sedation and can be performed in the doctor’s office.

Once expanded, each to the size of a small orange, the three balloons work to facilitate weight loss by taking up space within the stomach, enabling patients to become fuller while eating less.

After six months the balloons are removed endoscopically while the patient is under light, conscious sedation.

Throughout the entire three-stage, six month process, patients will receive nutritional and exercise support from Flushing Hospital’s weight loss team.

The Obalon Weight Loss System offers many benefits to those patients, who do not qualify for, or are seeking an alternative to bariatric surgery, including:

• Obalon is clinically proven to be twice as effective as diet and exercise alone
• There are minimal risks or side effects
• No sedation is required and the entire procedure only takes 10 minutes
• Obalon is affordable as compared to other surgical weight loss options, but it is not currently covered by most insurance providers
• Patients can resume their normal daily lifestyle immediately
• The procedure is completely reversible

Not everyone is a candidate for the Obalon weight loss system. To qualify, patients must be:

• At least 22 years old
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30-40
• Have not had any form of weight loss surgery
• Are actively attempting to lose weight through diet and exercise
• Are committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle during and after treatment

To learn more information about the Obalon weight loss system, or to make an appointment with one of our highly qualified physicians, please call 718-670-8908 to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital or 718-408-6977 to schedule an appointment at New York Surgical Specialists.

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.