Cooperstown, NY — January 27, 2012 — Bassett Healthcare Network (BHN) has been named one of the most integrated health networks in the nation, ranking 48th out of 100 health systems around the country. Bassett is one of only five health systems in New York State that made it into the ranking of top-performing IHNs. Published in Modern Healthcare magazine, the SDI Top 100 IHNs for 2012 recognizes health systems that optimize health care delivery.

 “This ranking is a benchmark that places Bassett among the country’s best health systems,” notes Bassett Healthcare Network President and CEO Dr. William F. Streck. “It is hard proof that the work we’ve engaged in to coordinate patient care, improve access and integrate best practices across the Bassett network is paying off to the benefit of our patients. It is important to note that this is all possible because of the high quality physician group and the talented and committed staff of the Bassett network. ” 

 "We have been able to achieve system-wide implementation of a number of initiatives and I think that's reflected in the ranking," says Chief Operating Officer Bertine McKenna, Ph.D. "The integration across our operations has allowed Bassett to achieve better efficiency as a health system and channel more resources into improved patient care."

The SDI 2012 ranking identifies the top 100 IHNs out of more than 570 non-specialty, local and regional networks in the U.S. Health systems are evaluated on the ability to operate as a unified organization in eight categories: integrated technology, integration, contractual capabilities, outpatient utilization, financial stability, services and access, hospital utilization, and physicians. 

Nyack, NY — January 24, 2012 — For the second year in a row, Nyack Hospital received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.  The award recognizes Nyack Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines.

To receive the award, Nyack Hospital achieved of 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care.  

These measures include aggressive use of medications, such as tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

Get With The Guidelines–Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance.  Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

Through Get With The Guidelines–Stroke, customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles.  The take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format and are available in English and Spanish. In addition, the Get With The Guidelines Patient Management Tool gives healthcare providers access to up-to-date cardiovascular and stroke science at the point of care. 

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States.  On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. 

Ridgewood, NJ — January 23, 2012 — The Valley Hospital announced today that it has formed the Valley Health System Regional Accountable Care Organization and has partnered with Atlantic Health System to submit an application for the Atlantic Health System ACO, LLC, to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The Atlantic ACO, of which Valley’s ACO is a regional division, was formed to improve patient care quality, reduce costs, and streamline health care delivery. ACOs are considered by many to be essential to the realization of national health care reform and an integral part of an overall vision of better and more affordable care for Medicare beneficiaries and heightened efficiency among physicians, hospitals, and insurers.

 Touted as one of the "10 ACOs to Know" by Becker's Hospital Review, the Atlantic ACO application includes participation from more than 1,200 physicians, including more than 150 primary care physicians, 50 nurse practitioners and 10 ancillary care providers in four regions: Sussex, Morris, Union, Somerset, and Bergen counties.  Member hospitals, which include Atlantic Health System's Morristown, Overlook, and Newton Medical Centers, in addition to Valley, will work together to improve the quality of health care and reduce the individual and clinical health care costs for the Medicare population served in these regions. Once the application is accepted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Atlantic ACO will begin operating on April 1. 

Richard Lucanie, M.D., an internal medicine physician on Valley’s Medical Staff, serves along with Audrey Meyers as Valley’s representatives to the Atlantic ACO Board.  “The ACO changes the model of care from one that rewards providers for treating illness, to one that rewards providers for maintaining or improving patients’ overall health,” Dr. Lucanie said.  “Since the majority of Medicare recipients live with one or more chronic illnesses, the ability to better manage those diseases will result in a better quality of life for patients.  Through better coordination of care, patients will benefit by avoiding duplicity of testing, avoiding preventable hospital admissions, and realizing a reduction in overall healthcare costs."

"Once the application to form the ACO is accepted, the Atlantic ACO becomes 'accountable' for this region's enrolled Medicare population," said David J. Shulkin, MD, president, Morristown Medical Center, vice president, Atlantic Health System, and administrator, Atlantic ACO. "Over the last year, we have worked to develop the framework and relationships necessary for these patients to receive better coordination of their care and a higher level of quality health care services. Atlantic Health System's hospitals are at the forefront of clinical care. Now, as health care reform re-shapes the landscape, we are also taking a leadership role by planning for the future."

ACOs benefit patients in myriad ways, including giving them a more significant role in guiding their own care, reducing duplicative tests, and offering greater incentives for disease prevention. The Atlantic ACO offers an increased emphasis on prevention, evidence-based treatment options for better outcomes, broader physician access, and improved coordination of insurance coverage that will all ultimately promote wellness.

Both Atlantic Health System and The Valley Hospital have been exploring new methods of improving quality of care while controlling unnecessary costs over the last few years by participating in the Medicare Gainsharing trial, which encourages physician and hospital collaboration to make patients' hospital stays more efficient. The new ACO is another way for both organizations to drive efforts to improve health care delivery in the regions they serve.

The Evolution of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care in the 21^st Century

Sponsored by the Department of Nursing, School of Continuing Education for Nurses in collaboration with the Wound Ostomy and Continence Program

When:

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

8:30 am to 5 pm

Location:

Hilton Pearl River

500 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Pearl River, NY

845.735.9000

To Register or For More Information:

www.nyp.org/nursing/news/cme

The registration fee includes continental breakfast, snack, lunch, and all educational materials.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Elizabeth A. Ayello PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CWON, MAPWCA, FAAN

Planning Committee

Beatric Forlizzi, BSN, RN, BC, CWOCN, Nurse Clinician, NYP

Bernadette Melido, BSN, RN, CWOCN, WOC Consultant, NYP

Denise Robinson, MPH, RN, CHWOCN, WOC Program Manager, NYP

Linda Saal, MA, RN-BC, Program Director, Continuing Education, NYP

Juliet Smith, MSN, RN, CWOCN, WOC Consultant, NYP

Rosemary Sullivan, MA, RN, Director, Special Programs, NYP

Ridgewood, NJ — January 20, 2012 — The Valley Hospital has been recognized for service excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program. This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by the hospital to provide “An Outstanding Inpatient Experience” and “An Outstanding Emergency Department Experience.” This is the ninth consecutive year the hospital has been recognized for its inpatient services, and the second consecutive year it has been recognized for its emergency department services.

“In achieving certification of both the emergency department and the inpatient unit, The Valley Hospital demonstrates its ability to provide outstanding service from the moment patients arrive at the hospital to the time they are discharged,” said John Clark, director of the healthcare practice at J.D. Power and Associates.

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying recently discharged patients about their perceptions of their hospital visit and comparing the results to the national benchmarks established in the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.

The Valley Hospital exceeds the national benchmark study score for inpatient and emergency patient satisfaction. The hospital performs particularly well compared with the national study in providing patients with dignity and respect and receives notably high ratings from inpatients for the courtesy of doctors and tests and treatments personnel. Emergency services patients indicate they are particularly pleased with the courtesy of the venipuncture staff and the nurses.

The Valley Hospital also performs particularly well in providing patients with emotional support. The hospital receives high ratings from inpatients for their confidence and trust in the doctor’s skill level and the treatment of family and friends. Among emergency patients, the hospital receives high ratings for the treatment of family and friends and for confidence and trust in the radiology personnel’s skill level.

More than three-fourths (77%) of inpatients say they would recommend the hospital to others, while 79 percent say they would return to the facility if needed. 

 “We are committed to clinical quality and patient satisfaction,” said Audrey Meyers, president and CEO of The Valley Hospital. “These outstanding recognitions are a demonstration to the priority Valley staff and physicians place on achieving the highest-quality clinical outcomes, while delivering the most compassionate care.”

Nongovernmental, acute-care hospitals throughout the nation are eligible for the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital recognition for inpatient, maternity, cardiovascular, emergency and outpatient services. Distinction is valid for one year, after which time the hospital may reapply for this recognition.

Ridgewood, NJ — January 16, 2012 — The Valley Hospital is pleased to announce that Maria Mediago, Vice President of Facilities Management, was selected as one of “Three Wise Women” honored at the annual Epiphany Celebration by the Greater New York Region of National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW).  The 2012 Wise Women honorees were selected for their success in their respective professional fields.

The Greater New York Region’s Epiphany Celebration was held on January 6 at the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York City.

Kathleen Guglielmo, President of NOIAW, Greater New York Region, noted in her congratulatory letter to Maria, “Your long-term achievements as an executive in facilities management with responsibility for the planning and execution of numerous multi-million dollar healthcare projects make you a source of pride and inspiration to the Italian and Italian American communities.”

In her position at Valley, Maria, a resident of Verona, NJ, has direct oversight and fiscal responsibility for the Facilities Development, Plant Operations, Engineering, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Food & Nutrition Services, Property Management, Parking, Safety, Security and Graphic Arts departments.She is responsible for property acquisition and planning, design, and construction of capital facility projects for Valley Health System and its nine locations.  Maria’s major contributions at Valley include the successful renovation of patient care units; the expansion and total renovation of the Emergency Departments and its new Pediatric Suite; the development of a Minimally Invasive Surgery Suite; the acquisition of property and development of a new Center for Sleep Medicine; and the construction of a state-of-the-art Embryology Laboratory to serve the hospital’s Fertility Center, and the Gamma Knife Center at the hospital’s Blumenthal Cancer Center. 

Maria was also responsible for overseeing the development of plans and designs for a proposed three-phased, complete re-design of the hospital's main campus to modernize the facilities to accommodate new technology and evolving healthcare practices. 

Nyack, NY — January 11, 2012 — Are you looking to get a jump start on your New Year’s resolution to lose weight?  Nyack Hospital announces that it will host several series of its popular Lose to Win weight loss program for adults throughout the community:

Monday, January 23, 10:30 am
Sloatsburg Library
Fee:  $10 for the entire 8-week series
Please call the Sloatsburg Library at 753-2001 to register.

Tuesday, January 24, 6:30 pm
Sloatsburg Library
Fee:  $10 for the entire 8-week series
Please call the Sloatsburg Library at 753-2001 to register.

Friday, February 3, 6:30 pm
Nyack YMCA
Fee:  $10 for the entire 8-week series
Please call Nyack Hospital's Community Health Education Department at 845.348.2004 to register.

The Lose to Win Weight Loss Program is an 8-week series that incorporates the latest guidelines on losing weight safely and successfully.  The program curriculum includes information on nutrition, exercise and behavior change.  Each session allows for discussion of participant's motives, obstacles and successes at weight loss.   All classes facilitated by a person specially trained to lead the Lose to Win program.

Flushing, NY — December 23, 2011 — George F. Heinrich, M.D., chairman, Board of Trustees, New York Hospital Queens, was presented with the first Herbert Pardes, M.D. Leadership Award by the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. The award is in honor of his dedication, vision and promotion of excellence in quality and patient safety.

Dr. Heinrich has been a member of the Board of Trustees for New York Hospital Queens since 1986. In 1994, Dr. Heinrich was elected Chairman of the Board. An ardent supporter of quality health care and medical education, he was the recipient of the hospital’s highest honor, the Pacesetter Award, in 2000.

Dr. Heinrich serves as Chairman of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System Performance Improvement Committee, is a trustee of the system’s board, Quality Assessment and Information Technology committees at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and is a member of the New York Weill Cornell Council. He is also Chairman of the Board of the Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Dr. Heinrich and his wife, Debra, support several other organizations.

A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Heinrich received his medical degree from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.  He is the Associate Dean for Admissions and an Adjunct  Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at New Jersey Medical School, and is Vice Chairman and CEO of the Foundation of UMDNJ. In addition, he is President of the Eye Institute of New Jersey.

Flushing, NY — January 1, 2012 — New York Hospital Queens welcomed the first baby of 2012 at 12:18 a.m., a baby girl, Nina Love McConnell-Honore, weighing 7 lbs, 10 oz., born to proud parents Rose Honore and Duane McConnell, and big brother, 12-year-old Aamin, of St. Albans, N.Y. 

"I feel great. I feel special and so does she," says mother, Rose Honore, about her and the baby. "She is sweet, quiet and lovely. That's why her middle name is Love."

A $1,000 savings bond and a congratulatory basket of flowers were among the first gifts for the family and baby from the hospital.

Brooklyn, NY – January 1, 2012 – Richard and Myra Moran received the best gift they could ask for at the start of the New Year: the birth of their first child.

The couple welcomed their New Year’s baby, named Richard Michael, on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 7:42 a.m. The baby boy was one of New York Methodist Hospital’s first babies of 2012.

Baby Richard weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 18.75 inches in length. He and his parents reside in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

“We never expected to have a New Year’s baby,” said mother, Myra Moran. “This was such a wonderful surprise and a great way to begin 2012.” This is the first child for Mr. and Mrs. Moran.

New York Methodist has long been known as “The Baby Hospital” because of its large number of deliveries. In 2011, there were over 5,000 births.

West Haverstraw, NY – December 29, 2011 – This winter, Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, New York and Helen Hayes Hospital will be hosting a series of Adaptive Skiing Workshops. The events, which are open to individuals with disabilities, are being held in conjunction with Helen Hayes Hospital’s Adapted Sports and Recreation Program and are free of charge.

Adaptive Skiing Workshops are scheduled on Sundays on the following dates:
February 12 & 26
Two sessions on each day: from 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

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Helen Hayes Hospital is hosting a series of Basic Adapted Yoga programs designed specifically for people of varying abilities. Classes will meet on Wednesdays for six week sessions. All classes meet from 12:00 Noon to 12:50 p.m. in the Auditorium at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw.

Yoga improves circulation, range of motion, flexibility and endurance. It also helps to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Yoga sessions will meet as follows:

February 29 – April 4, 2012
April 18 – May 23, 2012
June 6 – July 11, 2012 (5 week session)
July 25- August 29, 2012              
September 12 – October 17, 2012
October 31 – December 5, 2012

Instructors specializing in adaptive skiing will offer beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. First time students will receive an overview of the equipment and fittings prior to getting out on the snow. Adaptive equipment will be available for skiers with disabilities.  Participants should come attired in appropriate in winter/snow clothing.

The workshops are free of charge but pre-registration is required. For additional information on the Adapted Sports & Recreation Program or the downhill skiing programs at Belleayre Mountain, or to register for one or more of the workshops, contact: Matthew Castelluccio, Adapted Sports Coordinator, 845-786-4950 OR castellucciom@helenhayeshosp.org

Additional Information: Yoga

The instructor, Ronda Lam, is experienced in adapting yoga to all levels of abilities. The classes offer an excellent opportunity for people with disabilities, including individuals with stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other physically limiting conditions, to try yoga.

Pre-registration for the Basic Adapted Yoga classes is required. The fee is $48 for six classes. For information or to register, call Matthew Castelluccio, Adapted Sports Coordinator at Helen Hayes Hospital at  845-786-4950.

The Adapted Yoga classes are part of the hospital’s comprehensive Adapted Sports & Recreation program, which offers activities including sailing, skiing, gardening and horseback riding.

Teaneck, NJ — December 27, 2011 — Holy Name Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Services offers a bereavement program to provide compassionate support and education to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one.   Since many individuals experiencing loss find comfort in sharing their feelings with one another, a bereavement group “Sharing the Journey” was developed to provide support and guidance during the grieving process. The group is non-sectarian and will be facilitated by trained bereavement counselors.

“Sharing the Journey” will run for eight weeks and is open to those who have experienced loss in the past year.   In order to meet the needs of our participants, the group meetings are being offered either on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. beginning January 16th OR on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. beginning January 17th.

Please call Lenore Guido at 201-833-3188, ext. 7580 or Claudia Coenen at ext. 7483 to register or for further information.   There is no charge for the program.

There is a continuous need for blood donors in the Hudson Valley region. All eligible donors are urgently encouraged to come out and donate blood. Blood donors receive a mini-medical exam on-site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level.

Employees, volunteers, visitors, and community members are invited to donate blood. Donors should be healthy, between the ages of 17 and 76, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated whole blood in the last 56 days, or an ALYX donation in the last 112 days. People age 76 and over may also participate by presenting a doctor’s note Donors must eat and drink well before donating and present photo or signature I.D.

Donating blood is literally giving the gift of life. There is simply no substitute for donated blood. Without volunteer donors, our community would not have an adequate community blood supply.Appointments are not necessary and walk-ins are welcome. For further information, please  call 845-786-4967. 

Flushing, NY — December 22, 2011 — The Corona Lions Club awarded $2,500 to our Women’s Auxiliary, to support the New York Hospital Queens Patient Simulation Center. The funds will be used to purchase a new simulation mannequin. Residents, nurses, paramedics, nursing students and allied medical staff use mannequins for hands-on training in a simulated and realistic patient environment.

The Lions Club is an international organization; the Corona chapter donates money to charities and businesses that serve the people of Queens.

Brooklyn, NY – December 21, 2011 – New York Methodist Hospital is now using an improved technology, known as the Sonolith i-move, for the dissolution of kidney stones. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat patients with kidney stones.  Physicians in NYM’s Division of Urology, headed by Ivan Grunberger, M.D., make up the first team in the United States to use the new lithotripsy device, which offers improved results.

Kidney stones are solid masses of tiny crystals that can form in the kidneys and cause bleeding, kidney damage, or ongoing urinary tract infections. It is estimated that more than one million patients with ESWL are treated annually in the United States.

“The new generation of lithotripter is capable of generating shockwaves with the same intensity from one firing to the next, something that older models could not do,” said Dr. Grunberger. “This makes the pulverization of the kidney stones more accurate, and also means that a higher number of patients will be stone-free after the first treatment.”

“With the added conveniences of a handheld ultrasound probe to locate the stones, and the ability to generate consistent shockwaves, we can treat lithotripsy patients with more precision and accuracy than ever before,” said Dr. Grunberger. “The new ESWL technology gives our urologists the ability to better target and monitor stones, ensuring better patient outcomes.”