Jamaica Hospital Receives Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation

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The average American is living longer now than ever before, and while this is very good news, it does require the healthcare industry to adapt to caring for a growing senior population.

Senior citizens utilize the hospital system at higher rates than non-seniors and they often require treatment for multiple chronic conditions. While seniors make contact with the healthcare system at many different points of care, the place where they most often receive their care is in the Emergency Department.

Understanding the special needs of its geriatric patients, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Emergency Department has made many special accommodations to treat them. In recognition of their efforts, the hospital recently received a Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Jamaica Hospital is the only hospital in Queens to receive this accreditation.

“By receiving this designation, Jamaica Hospital has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the specific healthcare needs of our older patients,” stated Dr. Shi-Wen Lee, Vice Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Jamaica Hospital.

To achieve this accreditation, Jamaica Hospital had to meet many criteria, including ensuring that physician and nursing staff receive focused education in geriatric emergency medicine. This training is aimed to help providers better understand and address the complex social and physical challenges of the geriatric patient.

In addition to receiving focused education, the hospital also needed to implement geriatric emergency care policies and guidelines, ensure geriatric patients received access to specific equipment and supplies, and even make accommodations to the emergency department’s physical environment.

According to Dr. Nathan Washburn, ER attending integrally involved in the accreditation process, “The process to achieve this designation was not an easy one; it required hard work and dedication by many, but ultimately we feel that it displays a commitment to elevating the level of care we provide to our geriatric patients.”

MediSys Celebrates Research Day at Flushing and Jamaica Hospital

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The MediSys Health Network recently showcased the academic achievements of its clinical staff during Research Day, an annual event that is celebrated at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Research Day at Flushing HospitalOn Friday, May 24th, over 30 research posters and additional published works were displayed in print and electronic forms in Jamaica Hospital’s auditoriums. The following week, on Thursday, May 30th, Flushing Hospital showcased nearly three dozen posters on the walls of the auditorium. All of the posters on display were presented at professional conferences within the last year.

Research Day at Jamaica HospitalMany passed through and admired the posters at both events, which included submissions from various departments including family and internal medicine, ob/gyn, orthopedics, pathology, pediatrics, psychiatry, pulmonology, surgery, and trauma.

Research day was organized by the Research Department.  The event demonstrated the network’s dedication to education and research.

Congratulations to all involved.

Jamaica Hospital Receives Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center Designation

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On May 1st Jamaica Hospital became a designated Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, advancement in stroke care brought on by the evolving stroke system of care in New York City. This designation was from the Department of Health, in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Mission: Lifeline Project Stroke initiative. This designation signifies that Jamaica Hospital has met the rigorous standards for performing mechanical endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a specialized surgical procedure used to remove a blood clot from the brain during an ischemic stroke.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States but remains to be the number one cause of disability. More than 87 percent of cases are ischemic strokes caused by a clot that cuts off blood flow to a part of the brain. These types of strokes are largely treatable if a patient gets to a hospital that can provide the right treatment in time.

Having this designation demonstrates that Jamaica Hospital is qualified to perform an EVT for all patients who experience a large vessel occlusion (LVO), which is an ischemic stroke that results from a blockage in one of the major arteries of the brain. Prior to having this certification, patients in the 911 system would have to bypass Jamaica and be brought to a thrombectomy-capable hospital, which could delay care and affect outcomes.
Now these procedures can be performed in Jamaica Hospital’s interventional lab. Jamaica Hospital is one of only three hospitals in Queens to have this designation, meaning the hospital will be responsible to provide stroke care to patients throughout the borough and possibly beyond.
Receiving this designation was a major accomplishment that required a great deal of hard work by many. Jamaica Hospital needed to meet strict guidelines, to receive this designation, including committing to neuro-interventional coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to securing around-the-clock coverage, the hospital had to train a number of our medical, emergency department, anesthesia, and nursing staff on new treatment protocols. Abigail Hasan, Stroke Coordinator added, “The acquisition of the biplane unit in our new interventional suite was key in earning this designation. This technology allows our staff to see cleaner and more accurate images of the neurological anatomy, which results in better outcomes.”
Since earning this designation, the hospital team has already responded to many cases with positive results. Abigail recalls a particular case where a patient arrived partially paralyzed due to a stroke and thanks to the efforts of our team regained functionality and was able to eventually walk out of the hospital on their own. “It was truly a great save. The ability to reverse the disability and regain the quality of life inspires our efforts to get stroke patients where they need to be as quickly as possible.”
According to Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO of Jamaica Hospital, “We are very proud to have earned the Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center designation. This is yet one more example of Jamaica Hospital’s commitment to providing high quality, person-centered care to our patients.”

Artwork Beautification of the MediSys Health Network

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We are very pleased to announce that the MediSys Health Network is planning to add some artwork to our facilities and we are counting on the many talented employees who work within our network to supply it.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center are each holding an inaugural employee art project open to all staff, their families, and volunteers. Artwork can be submitted in any of the following formats:

  • Paintings
  • Works on paper
  • Photography

The guidelines and specifications of this art project are as follows:

  • Artwork depicting any religious, political, violent, sexual or obscene content is not permitted
  • Submissions must be a minimum of 8” X10” and a maximum of 24” X36”
  • It is preferred that artwork is framed, (assistance will be provided if necessary)
  • A maximum of three entries per person

All artwork must be submitted to the Public Affairs Department at the respective hospitals by August 5th. Please make sure that each submission is identified with a title of the artwork as well as the artist’s name, department, extension, and category.

Each submission will be judged by an independent committee of art experts. Artwork selected for display will be based on overall quality and each artist will be notified of this decision.

For more information, please call the Department of Public Affairs at 718-206-8949.

Jamaica Hospital Receives Patient Safety Award

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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recently received the Patient Safety Award at the opening of the 2020 Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) Learning Collaborative Spring National meeting, held in Chicago on May 3rd and 4th, 2019.

Stephanie Smith, Director of Care Management, was invited to be a keynote speaker at the meeting on “Steps to Take to Prepare for Bundled Payment Programs” on May 4th. This semi-annual meeting is attended by representatives from leading organizations from across the United States that are “true champions in healthcare redesign, spearheading efforts to improve quality, increase patient and provider satisfaction and decrease costs.”  Attendees benefit by learning from each other how to achieve the PSH quadruple aim, which is to increase quality of care, reduce care costs, engage patients in their care and improve patient and clinician experience.

Stephanie accepted the Patient Safety award on behalf of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The PSH Learning Collaborative (a joint initiative of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and Premier Inc.) recognized Jamaica Hospital with this award for their improved patient safety as part of their PSH efforts.

According to a PSH Collaborative representative, “The PSH Learning Collaborative was looking for members excelling in using the techniques of the perioperative home model to expand the patient care outcomes of their organization from the launch of their pilot. Jamaica Hospital has developed a model perioperative surgical home. Their work encompasses the breadth and aspirations of a surgical home: they work with their patients starting from the surgeon’s and patient’s decision for surgery and includes a home visit well before they enter the OR. They are truly a patient-centered coordinated care model, working beyond the silos we still see at many health systems.  The care of their patients is primary and they have used the model of the perioperative surgical home to achieve reduced readmissions and length of stay.”

Jamaica Hospital was the only hospital to receive this honor.

Jamaica Hospital implemented its Perioperative Surgical Home model in 2016 as a patient-centered, interdisciplinary, team-based system of delivering coordinated care to our patients.

According to Dr. Antoinetta Morisco, Chairperson of Anesthesia, “This award is an honor and represents the truly coordinated efforts of virtually all departments to keep an ongoing commitment to serve our patients and community, as well as to transform care delivery with the goal of service that is second to none.”

 

Flushing Hospital Medical Center Advocates for Healthy Mothers and Newborns

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breastfeeding program flushing queens

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS)  highlights the many ways its member hospitals and health systems are transforming healthcare with their “Innovation Spotlight” campaign. Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) is proud to have been highlighted as an “Innovator” in advocating for healthy mothers and newborns.

In 2015, the hospital began a community-based program, Breastfeeding and Beyond: Breastfeeding Education and Nutrition in the Community.  According to HANYS, “FHMC works with partners in the community — including the New York City Public Library and Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — to improve health and promote the well-being of women, newborns, infants, toddlers and children.”

“Over the past three years,  Flushing Hospital’s exclusive breastfeeding rates increased from 6%  to 30%. More than 375 women with their children and families have been educated both prenatally and after birth. The intent to breastfeed upon admission to the hospital increased from 50% in 2015 to 96% in 2018 and upon discharge from the hospital it rose from 29% in 2015 to 88% in 2018.” stated Maria D. Smilios, Director, Nursing-Maternal and Child Services.

Congratulations to Jamaica Hospital’s Good Catch Recipients

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Join us in congratulating Nicole Paz and Julio Velasquez, from the Radiology Department on their Good Catch!

Every month, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recognizes employees for their contributions to patient safety.

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 the potential harm of patients. These actions may include correcting a medication order, preventing a patient fall or reporting a significant change in patient status.

By identifying a problem before it could have become a patient safety issue, our nominees have helped Jamaica Hospital to improve our quality in patient care.

To our Good Catch recipients, thank you for being exemplary members of our team and contributing to our goal of being a High-Reliability Hospital.

 

To report a Good Catch, email Letha Walters, PI Director at [email protected],  or call her at ext. 8409 and leave a message.

The 2019 MediSys Golf Classic A Success

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Beautiful sunny skies, warm weather and the smell of freshly cut grass greeted guests as they arrived at the 2019 MediSys Golf Classic.  All signs pointing to the perfect day that lay ahead.

Friends and supporters of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center gathered on the morning of May 21st at the Old Westbury Country Club to enjoy a full day of activities.  Participants played hours of golf or tennis, while others took advantage of the luxurious amenities provided by the club’s full-service spa.

After hours of play and relaxation, guests transformed into dinner attire and convened in the main dining area for the cocktail hour and dinner.  Diners were served an array of delectable dishes and desserts.

During dinner, Bruce Flanz, President and CEO of the MediSys Health Network warmly welcomed everyone and thanked them for supporting the network.  He also introduced the event’s honorary chairman; Dr. Cono Grasso, who announced the highlights and wins of the golfers and tennis players.

The winners’ streak for the evening did not end there; raffle prizes were later presented to lucky guests. This year’s prizes included a trip to the Berkshires, sports tickets, Amazon Alexa electronics and the grand prize of $2,000 in gift cards to be used for a travel adventure.

Overall the 2019, MediSys Golf Classic was a great success. One hundred and thirty-seven golfers played the course and a record number of dinner guests were in attendance.  We thank everyone for their support.

Dr. Luigi Tullo Receives Award from the United Hospital Fund

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On Monday, May 6th, Dr. Luigi Tullo received a United Hospital Fund “Tribute to Excellence in Health Care” award.  This award is presented to healthcare professionals recognized as Quality Improvement Champions across the New York Metropolitan area.

According to the United Hospital Fund, nominations were awarded to individuals who exemplified “extraordinary personal leadership to improve quality care, patient safety, and patient experience of care”.

Through Dr. Tullo’s leadership, the Outpatient Antibiotics Stewardship Initiative (OASI) at Jamaica Hospital has developed measures to improve how antibiotics are prescribed by doctors and how patients are using them. As part of this initiative, 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 to inform patients.

The Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship Initiative has significantly improved provider prescribing practices and patient understanding of antibiotics misuse. Through this initiative, the OASI program achieved a total decrease in antibiotic prescriptions by 35.4% and a decrease in inappropriate prescriptions being given by 67.4%. Jamaica Hospital is closer to achieving its goal of reducing future antibiotic resistance in our community

It is with great pride that we recognize Dr. Luigi Tullo for his outstanding personal leadership to improve the quality of care provided to our community.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center Receives New 3T MRI Scanner

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The Radiology Department at Flushing Hospital offers a wide variety of advanced, state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging services to its patients. One of the ways they are able to do this is by offering the latest and most advanced imaging technology.

Through the acquisition of the Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra 3T MRI scanner, Flushing Hospital now provides one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced machines in healthcare.

Like Flushing’s previous MRI machine, the new model features an open-bore design, with an extra wide patient tube to accommodate larger patients. The larger size also increases comfort levels and decrease feelings of claustrophobia for all patients. The open-bore feature results in fewer patients requiring sedation and provides overall higher patient satisfaction.

Another benefit of the new MAGNETOM Skyra is its advanced imaging capabilities. Equipped with a 3T magnet, it provides the most accurate, high-resolution images and delivers them in less time. The Zero Helium boil-off feature and the Green Cooling package also make the new MRI machine more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

This new technology compliments Flushing Hospital’s team of Board Certified and fellowship-trained radiologists and highly-trained, experienced technologists. The department is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), which signifies a higher quality examination and care.