This year, Patient Safety Awareness Week was observed from March 13^th to the 19^th.   The annual observation was created to raise awareness of the importance of safety in healthcare.

The Patient Safety Awareness Week theme chosen for 2022 was, “Together We Are Better, Stronger, Safer.”  The MediSys Health Network’s Performance Improvement Department held a series of events that focused on bringing care teams together to learn more about patient safety in a fun environment.

Activities for the week included games of Trivial Pursuit as well as an essay contest in which participants were encouraged to share what safety meant to them.  Over 500 Flushing and Jamaica Hospital employees played trivia games, and a total of 16 submissions were entered into the essay competition. Winners of the essay contest are as follows:

• Jamaica Hospital: 1^st place – 4 South, 2^nd place– NICU, 3^rd place– Psych MH2 & MH3
• Flushing Hospital: 1^st place– 3 West, 2^nd place-ICU, 3^rd place– 4 North 1 & 2

The winning essays will be posted on the MyMediSys intranet page under the Quality Department- Performance Improvement folder.

Overall, Patient Safety Awareness Week at MediSys Health was a great success. We thank the Performance Improvement Department for coordinating a series of engaging and educational events.

Jamaica Hospital employees who go above and beyond to ensure the safety of our patients are recognized and awarded a certificate of excellence for their Good Catch.

Good Catch nominees receive recognition based on their actions in preventing accidents from occurring. These actions may include keeping our facilities safe, correcting a medication order, preventing a patient from falling, or reporting a significant change in a patient’s status.

Please join us in congratulating Paola Guevara RN, Department of Cardiology, and Moheb Wasfy Medical Equipment Specialist on their Good Catch.

By identifying a problem before it became a patient safety issue, our nominees have helped Jamaica Hospital provide patients with excellent care.

We thank them for being exemplary members of our team and contributing to our goal of being a High-Reliability Hospital.

Today is National Doctors’ Day, an observance celebrated annually in the U.S. in honor of physicians and the important work they do to heal and care for our communities.

In recognition of this day, Dr. Sabiha Raoof; Chief Medical Officer and Chairperson of the Department of Radiology, is sharing this special message of gratitude and appreciation for the perseverance and dedication of our doctors.

The MediSys Health Network’s Patient-Centered Services Department is proud to announce the installation of bi-directional communication boards in all in-patient rooms.

The boards, which are 3’ x 2’ have been placed at the foot of each bed and are intended to convey information between the patient and the care team, enhance patient and family engagement, and improve the patient experience.

“What Matters to You, Matters to Us” is boldly written across the top of each board to emphasize the importance of effective communication and understanding.  The board is split into two halves underneath this title. Each half contains blank fields that are to be filled in daily by the care team and patient together.

The left side of the board is designated as the patient side. On this side of the board the patient can express how they prefer to be addressed, their goals for the day, their language of choice, and any questions or concerns they want to share with their healthcare team.

The right side of the board is to be completed by the care team and includes important information such as the names of everyone on the healthcare team. It can also identify any special needs the patients might have as well as address the care plan for the day.

The response to the bi-directional boards has been overwhelmingly positive with employees stating that the boards are “helpful,” “engaging,” and “good for the patients.  The patients are appreciative as well, sharing that they “really like them” and that the boards make them “feel cared about.”

The implementation of the bi-directional boards is one of many initiatives MediSys has taken to demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care.

Congratulations to Flushing Hospital’s C.A.R.E (Compassion Advocacy Respect and Engagement) award recipients.

The hospital’s Person-Centered Care Department created the C.A.R.E award program to recognize employees who received positive remarks (written and verbal) from patients or their loved ones after receiving high-quality and compassionate care.

Criteria for the award require that recipients exemplify G.R.A.C.E:

G- Gracious: Having a courteous and kind demeanor.

R- Respect: Treating others the way they want to be treated.

A- Assisting: Anticipating needs and concerns (example wayfinding).

C- Communication: Talking to patients and family members according to their health literacy.

E- Empathy: Using the patient’s perspective, making the patient feel understood, ensuring that their feelings are validated.

We congratulate the following employees, and thank them for their contributions to making Flushing Hospital a high-reliability hospital that focuses on patient-centered care:

1. Dr. Yasser El-Hennawy

2. Dr. Tamar Toronjadze

3. Dr. Manuel Lopez

4. Dr. Rakesh Gupta

5. Dr.Joel Sliverman

Congratulations to Jamaica Hospital’s C.A.R.E (Compassion Advocacy Respect and Engagement) award recipients.

The hospital’s Person-Centered Care Department created the C.A.R.E award program to recognize employees who received positive remarks (written and verbal) from patients or their loved ones after receiving high-quality and compassionate care.

Criteria for the award require that recipients exemplify G.R.A.C.E:

G- Gracious: Having a courteous and kind demeanor.

R- Respect: Treating others the way they want to be treated.

A- Assisting: Anticipating needs and concerns (example wayfinding).

C- Communication: Talking to patients and family members according to their health literacy.

E- Empathy: Using the patient’s perspective, making the patient feel understood, ensuring that their feelings are validated.

We congratulate the following employees, and thank them for their contributions to making Jamaica Hospital a high-reliability hospital that focuses on patient-centered care:

1. William Nugent
2. Santhosh Alex
3. Jebun Nahar
4. Mykola Alyskewycz
5. Kim Shelly
6. Kava Robinson
7. John Ritumalta RN
8. Vyacheslav Galibov
9. Cornelius Brown
10. Jo-Ann Campudoni
11. Shiv Kumarie Santram
12. Ma Ruth Rosalyn Jose RN
13. Maria Santos RN
14. Violetta Isakova RN
15. Adela Refamonte RN
16. Myrna Escario RN
17. Ivonne Dabovich
18. Mendy Tan RN
19. Sharon Scott RN
20. Elizabeth Weinman

On February 17, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the formation of his administration’s COVID-19 Recovery Roundtable and Health Equity Task Force. This task force was created to advise the administration on long-term, comprehensive policies around health equity and health access.

This roughly 40-person commission, unprecedented for its diversity, is comprised of a group of leaders from 11 different industries from across the city. One of those chosen to join this esteemed panel of leaders is MediSys (Jamaica and Flushing Hospital) President and CEO, Bruce J. Flanz.

Mr. Flanz, along with the other members of the COVID-19 Recovery Roundtable and Health Equity Task Force will meet monthly and focus their attention on continuing the city’s path to a speedy, effective, and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as building a healthier and stronger city for all New Yorkers.

According to Mayor Adams, “We cannot build a just and prosperous recovery for all New Yorkers without bringing together and listening to experts and community leaders from across the city. The COVID-19 Recovery Roundtable and Health Equity Task Force brings not only the best minds together to build a speedy recovery, but a lasting one. I’m grateful to the members for bringing their time and ideas to the city as we work towards this shared goal.”

First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo added, “I’m thrilled to have leaders from every corner of New York City as part of our COVID-19 Recovery Roundtable and Health Equity Taskforce. Thank you to everyone who has joined this effort, I’m looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work developing long term policies to guide our city through a just and equitable recovery.”

Mr. Flanz stated, “I am extremely proud to serve on this task force and I commend Mayor Adams for addressing these important issues. Representing two Queens-based hospitals located at the epicenter of the COVID pandemic, I witnessed first-hand the devastating effects the pandemic had on our communities that already face many socio-economic challenges. I look forward to working with this diverse group of talented individuals to address these disparities and create a more equitable health system for all.”

The MediSys Health Network has once again earned multiple, top-ranking Healthgrades awards for 2022, classifying the network as a nationally recognized, high-performing healthcare organization.

Healthgrades is a leading online resource committed to delivering the most scientifically accurate and comprehensive information about doctors and hospitals. To assess overall hospital performance, the company reviews outcomes across more than 31 of the most common  medical procedures and conditions.  Recipients of Healthgrades awards have consistently delivered better than expected outcomes for their patients.

For the third consecutive year, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been named  by Healthgrades as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals™ in 2022, placing it in the top 5 percent of hospitals in the country and recognizing the organiztion as an overall leader in clinical excellence. Other notable awards received by Jamaica Hospital include the following:

• Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™ for 3 Years in a Row (2020-2022)
• Healthgrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ for 2 Years in a Row (2021-2022)
• Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ for 6 Years in a Row (2017-2022)
• Healthgrades Neurosciences Excellence Award™ for 4 Years in a Row (2019-2022)

Flushing Hospital Medical Center also excelled in several categories and received the following top honors:

• Healthgrades 2022 Stroke Care Excellence Award™
• Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pneumonia in 2022
• Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Attack in 2022

Overall, the MediSys Health Network ‘s performance was exceptional.  The network’s focus on patient satisfaction and its commitment to providing quality healthcare were essential in helping the organization rank among the nation’s top hospitals.

“It is a great achievement to be awarded as one of Healthgrades’ America’s 250 Best Hospitals,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “Now more than ever, patients are learning the importance of taking control of their health and using resources like Healthgrades to find the perfect hospital and caregiver match. We commend Medisys Health Network for providing superior service and committing themselves to keeping their communities safe.”

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections, (or CAUTIs) are the most common type of nosocomial (or healthcare-associated) infections. They account for over 1 million cases annually, or approximately 40% of all infections in hospitals and nursing homes.

To improve the quality of care delivered to our patients, a team at Flushing Hospital Medical Center took steps to address this important issue and the results have been nothing short of outstanding. As of Wednesday, February 2^nd, the hospital announced that it has been an entire year without a single CAUTI case, which is a milestone that is being celebrated across the institution.

This achievement is the result of the hard work and diligence of many including Flushing Hospital’s nursing department, physician champions, and infection preventionists. To safeguard against CAUTIs, the hospital incorporated a series of Best Practices, including holding “Time Outs” and utilizing checklists to ensure the appropriate insertion and maintenance of urinary catheters.

To celebrate, Flushing Hospital nursing leadership rounded on each unit to personally thank the team for their efforts and deliver trays of cookies. The hospital also shared this accomplishment with the community on its social media platforms so everyone could know that we are delivering the highest quality care to our patients.

Congratulations to all involved.

On Thursday, January 13th, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi visited Jamaica Hospital Medical Center to learn about the MediSys Health Network’s efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several topics were highlighted in a meeting with network leadership including:

• How Jamaica and Flushing Hospital (both located at the epicenter of pandemic) treated a massive influx of COVID-19 patients in March and April 2020.
• How both hospitals have successfully met the needs of their communities over the past 22 months.
• How the network is managing the current Omicron surge and the challenges it has presented.
• How both hospitals are utilizing resources, consolidating services and load-balancing patients.
• How the network continues to simultaneously combat the pandemic and care for communities with other trauma and emergent health needs.

During the meeting, leadership also shared details of other covid-related initiatives created by the network including the implementation of the emergency management task force, mass vaccination efforts, community engagement programs, as well as employee wellness and support programs.

The Commissioner listened intently to the presentations, asked questions, and offered to support the network in meeting any challenges.  

Overall, the meeting was a great success.  Dr. Chokshi commended the MediSys Health Network on its hard work in caring for Queens communities.  He stated, “As a proud Queens resident, I am grateful to have learned about the incredible work happening in my backyard. I appreciated the chance to learn about your lifesaving work—both during the Omicron surge and throughout the pandemic—and discuss how we can better serve our Queens communities. Thank you for all of your work.”

We thank NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi for visiting the MediSys Health Network and are humbled by his kind remarks. We truly appreciate his leadership and the support of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene during this time.