Jamaica Hospital Celebrates Certified Nurses Day

nurses 1March 19th was Certified Nurses Day.  This special day is recognized worldwide and honors nurses who become board certified in their specialties.  Currently, there are approximately 150 certified nurses at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The hospital demonstrated its appreciation for each nurse’s commitment to excellence by hosting a Certified Nurses Day celebration in the auditorium of the Old Trump Pavilion.

The auditorium was filled with nurses who chatted excitedly about their journeys in achieving their certifications.  The process to becoming a certified nurse requires  additional and rigorous career training, but proves to be very rewarding as both patients and nurses benefit from the hard work.

Executive Vice President and COO William Lynch kicked off the celebration by delivering a humorous but very heartfelt speech. He stated, “Without our nurses, nothing is possible,” he continued, “We are extremely grateful for the level of care and dedication that our nurses demonstrate.” Mr. Lynch was followed by Kathleen Scher; Vice President of Nursing, who also expressed appreciation and shared her agenda to implement new programs to support the nursing staff.

nurses 2The evening ended on a fun note, as the nurses enjoyed a spread of delicious food and congratulated each other on receiving their respective certifications. A raffle was held during the celebration in which each person had the chance to win tickets to attend a national conference of their choice, tickets to attend the 1199 Nurse of Distinction Awards or a gift basket with beauty products and a spa gift card.

Jamaica Hospital Lobby Transformed Into Beautiful Works of Art

arts photo lobbyOn March 16th guests were greeted by an explosion of color and creativity when they arrived at the lobby of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.  Members from the department of psychiatry transformed the lobby into an impressive art gallery to raise awareness for Creative Arts Therapy week. The name of the art exhibit was Mandalas, Explorations and other Self-Reflections. The general public and members of the press were invited to view the masterpieces, mingle and participate in interactive projects at the reception.

While the art was indeed beautiful, what made each piece special was the fact that they were anonymously submitted by patients participating in creative arts therapy at the hospital.  According to licensed creative arts therapists Michelle Hololob and Heather Grey; these patients were happy to submit their work because they wanted others to know that creative arts therapy has been a positive experience for them.

arts photo 4vDr. Seeth Vivek; Chairman of Psychiatry and Tony Maffia; Vice President of Psychiatry, as well as Grey and Hololob all conducted interviews with the media and educated everyone about the benefits of creative arts therapy in treating mental illnesses.

Creative arts therapy encourages self- exploration, helps organize emotions and has a profoundly positive effect on mental well-being. artsphoto v 1Patients often begin therapy feeling unhappy, conflicted or isolated but by creating art they are able to share their feelings, engage with therapists and begin the process of recovery. It is for these reasons and others that this form of therapy has been an integral part of the Department of Psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital for nearly 20 years.

The event was a success and a visual sensation.  However, the most important achievement for the psychiatry department was being able to use art as a platform to educate the public that mental illness should not be stigmatized and is nothing to be ashamed of. “There is still a stigma attached to mental illness,” said Heather Grey-as quoted in the Times Ledger. “We are using art as a platform to disseminate that stigma.”

Click here to read the full Times Ledger article:

http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/12/mentalart_tl_2015_03_20_q.html

To see more images visit us on Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital

Different Address Same Great Level of Care

Sutphin move IMG_7932As of Monday, March 16th, The Jamaica MediSys Family Care Center has a new home. The center, formerly located on Sutphin Blvd has moved to a new address – 149-18 Jamaica Avenue.

The new location will offer all the same services, including internal medicine, pediatrics, and podiatry, but will also accommodate patients in 11 larger and more modern exam rooms .

The new site is centrally located in the heart of the busy Jamaica shopping district and is easily accessible by public transportation. In addition, there is a municipal parking garage conveniently located just steps away from the center.

Flushing Hospital and the da Vinci Robot Celebrate the Big 100!

100th case IMG_0218The prestigious team of surgeons at Flushing Hospital Medical Center is moving full speed ahead in performing surgeries with the assistance of the da Vinci surgical robot.  This specially trained group of physicians has successfully completed an impressive 100 plus procedures in just a few months.

The da Vinci was acquired late last year with the objective of providing advanced surgical services to the community.   Surgeries performed by utilizing the machine offer patients several benefits such as shorter hospital stays, minimal scarring, less bleeding and pain.

Members of the surgical team are pleased with the early success of the robotic surgery program. They are looking forward to treating more patients through robotic technology.

Flushing Hospital is planning future outreach campaigns to inform the community that several technologically advanced medical services are being provided by their neighborhood hospital and they do not have to venture far to seek treatment.

HANYS ADVOCACY DAY 2015

Healthcare Leadership Advocacy Day

Members of the MediSys Health Network met with Members of the State Senate and Assembly

Members of the MediSys Health Network team joined the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) at their Healthcare Leadership Advocacy Day this past March 4th. Each year, members of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center visit our State’s capital for what has proven to be a vitally important day.

Approximately 25 team members met with members of the New York State Senate and Assembly,  and participated in round table discussions regarding the need to have strong collective advocacy presence when important policy issues are at stake.The large amount of MediSys employees that attended this year’s Advocacy Day demonstrated to the legislature the MediSys Health Network’s commitment to healthcare reform.

Flushing Hospital Launches on Twitter and Facebook

Facebookthumb178742843Flushing Hospital Medical Center is excited to announce that we have entered the digital age with the launch of two official, and highly anticipated, social media accounts. We are now live on both Facebook and Twitter with the goals of providing educational information to improve our population’s health and enhance our ability to engage and communicate with the communities we serve.

We encourage all FHMC medical staff, employees and volunteers to follow our official Facebook and Twitter accounts. Your participation will keep you informed and help promote hospital news, events and community outreach efforts. We will also be posting articles on a variety of general health topics including diabetes, smoking cessation and breastfeeding. In addition, we will offer lifestyle articles including recipes and parenting tips, as well as profiles on hospital programs and activities.

All employees that wish to contribute articles or ideas on specific topics should contact us. We welcome you and look forward to your participation and feedback in the form of comments, ideas, retweets, favorites, likes and shares!

Follow us on Twitter: @FHMC_NYC
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital

E-Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS)

pharmacists78056182New York State is one of the first states in the nation to encourage universal electronic prescriptions, this includes controlled substances. The law which enhances patients’ safety is currently scheduled to go into effect on March 27, 2015 but there may be delays as it is currently awaiting the governor’s signature.  Once it becomes law, all prescribers will have to send their patient’s prescriptions to be filled at pharmacies, electronically. One of the goals of “E-prescribing”   is to prevent theft of prescriptions for illicit use. Another benefit will be that it will eliminate illegible handwritten prescriptions from being filled incorrectly.

E-prescribing will help ensure that prescriptions are being written safely and will help both the prescriber and the pharmacy manage a patient’s medications. E-prescribing will also cut down on the amount of time spent calling between a pharmacy and a prescriber to verify prescriptions. It will make the filling of prescriptions easier for the patient and potentially help with compliance with taking medications. It will also help both the prescriber and the pharmacy to fill the prescription in a cost effective manner. All of these benefits ultimately will help the patient.

All prescribers need to enroll with Epic to capture their fingerprint, and install “Digipass” the numerical code app.  Licensed providers (MD, DO, NP, PA, CNM, podiatrist, dentist) need to also register with NYS on the Health Commerce System (HCS) website. If you need further assistance on registering for E-prescribing please contact, 718 206-7878.

 

Jamaica Hospital’s G.E.M Recipients Sparkle

PrintOn Tuesday, February 3, Jamaica Hospital sparkled as all former recipients of the hospital’s Going the Extra Mile program , (or G.E.M for short) gathered for a breakfast in their honor.

Approximately 50 former G.E.M honorees were in attendance for the festivities. Also in attendance were G.E.M committee co-chairs, Anthony Maffia and Sheila Garvey, as well as President & CEO Bruce J. Flanz. Each thanked the honorees for their efforts and stated how important having employees who go above and beyond are to our institution.  “The G.E.M employees are models for others. We hope more employees follow the examples they have set,” stated Mr. Maffia.

One of the past G.E.M recipients, Security Officer Robert Smith offered his perspective on the event. “As a recipient of the award, I was honored to be at the breakfast with my fellow colleagues. While we all received our awards for different circumstances, we all share the same belief that we were just doing our jobs.” Officer Smith added, “I am very proud to be part of the Jamaica Hospital family, where everyone is considered important.”

The G.E.M Program was created in July of 2013 to acknowledge and thank employees for simple acts of courtesy, team spirit, kindness and professionalism. Nominations are made by supervisory staff members who observe employees taking actions that positively impact the experience of our patients, visitors, and co-workers.  Each month at the Jamaica Hospital Department Head meeting, G.E.M recipients are awarded a certificate, pin and a gift certificate.

Since its inception, over 80 G.E.M employees have been identified. Jamaica Hospital thanks them all for their dedication.

Flushing Hospital Plans To Be Queens’ Premiere Hospital for Bariatric Surgery

overweight-91460588Flushing Hospital Medical Center is further expanding its list of clinical services to include bariatric surgery. The new program will be headed by Dr. Sanjeev Rajpal, a pioneer and expert in weight loss surgery, as well as Dr. Paul Thodiyil, who has many years of experience.

The availability of this service is timely- as the demand for bariatric surgery has increased due to the rise in obesity rates. It is estimated that more than one third (35%) of adults in the United States are obese.  Overcoming obesity by way of exercise and diet alone can be difficult for some people. Bariatric surgery is often the only option for individuals who have tried several weight loss treatments or methods to lose weight, but were unsuccessful.

Flushing Hospital will offer patients a unique approach and experience in weight loss surgery.  Clients’ success will not only be measured by pounds shed but include a complete lifestyle change that embodies mental and physical wellness.

The bariatric surgery program will offer patients a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures that will include:

  • Gastric bypass surgery
  • Lap band surgery
  • Sleeve gastrectomy
  • Bariatric revisions

Doctors will work with each patient to decide which procedure is best suited for their lifestyle or health condition.

In order to foster this multi-level model of treatment, support services will be available to patients in addition to the surgical procedures.

Support services will include:

  • Close physician monitoring- Flushing Hospital’s team of bariatric experts, will closely monitor each patient throughout their weight loss journey.
  • Pre and post-surgery psychological evaluations- Assessments will aid patients in understanding their eating behaviors.
  • Personalized diet and nutrition counseling- Registered dietitians will be available to assess clients’ eating habits and create a nutrition plan to support a new and healthy lifestyle.
  • Ongoing education and support groups- Support groups and education seminars will be facilitated by trained professionals. These meetings are helpful in aiding patients to transition into a new way of life.

Flushing Hospital’s Chairman of Surgery, Dr. Neil Mandava is looking forward to the launch of the bariatric services. Dr. Mandava stated, “The goal for the new bariatric surgery program is to solidify Flushing Hospital as the go-to and premiere facility for weight loss surgery in the area.”  “Residents will no longer have to venture outside of the communities served by the hospital to obtain assistance in achieving their weight loss objectives,” added Dr. Mandava.

For more Information about bariatric services at Flushing Hospital please call the department of Surgery at 718-670-3135.

 

 

 

 

Give Kids A Smile Day At Flushing Hospital

IMG_0493rockyoursmile

On February 6, area children ages 2 through 16 were invited to participate in Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s annual “Give Kids A Smile” day. The event celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month took place in the dental department of the hospital.

The afternoon was filled with educational discussions and engaging demonstrations on good dental health practices. Parents learned ways to prevent early childhood cavities, when to expect the change from primary teeth to permanent teeth and when children should have their first dental visit.

The rest of the day proved exciting as dental residents gave fun and interactive lessons on proper brushing and flossing techniques. Older children were taught about the dangers of smoking tobacco and the negative effect it can have on dental health. Clinical evaluations were also performed by the residents with the consent of parents. Hospital staff scheduled follow-up appointments or referred families to their own dentists.

“Children’s permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong,” stated Dr. Stephen Quarcoo, Chairman of Dentistry at FHMC.

“The event was successful and beneficial to both parents and the hospital. Parents and children learned about the importance of regular dental check-ups and saying NO to tobacco use.  Flushing Hospital’s dental department was thrilled to coordinate and share this day with the community,” added Dr. Quarcoo.

For more information on this even, or to make a dental appointment, please call 718-670-5521.