Nathan Littauer receives DNV accreditation Posted on October 10, 2012October 31, 2012 by Dakota PikeNew quality- based system focuses upon quality managementNathan Littauer Hospital announced today that it has achieved national accreditation from DNV Healthcare. DNV Healthcare is the newest hospital accreditation service recognized by Medicare. Littauer decided to partner with DNV (which stands for Det Norske Veritas) to be a part of their prestigious National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) hospital accreditation program. Littauer received a surprise audit from the organization earlier this year and as a result they are now fully accredited.Dr. Goldberg, Cheif Medical Officer at Littauer and Diane Swartz , Director of Performance Improvement review their new DNV standards“The new accreditation program better reflects our long-term commitment to patient safety and is a measurement of our efficiency, services and operations. The system allows for continual system improvements.” explained Laurence E. Kelly Hospital President and CEO. He added, “The accreditation is more strident. Yet, they have a very practical approach to healthcare.”Diane Swartz, Littauer’s Director of Performance Improvement explains, “Accreditation is important because it confirms that Nathan Littauer is meeting Medicare and Medicaid’s standards in providing healthcare services. DNV applies ISO (international Organization for Standardization) 9001 Quality Management System standards which are integrated into the DNV Accreditation.ISO 9001 is recognized by businesses around the world as the benchmark for continual quality improvement. Innovative hospitals have started embracing ISO as a way to identify and focus on the most successful approaches to improve patient care, safety, the patient experience and other critical aspects of running a modern hospital.DNV is a 145 year-old company based in Norway. They recently received deeming authority from CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to start conducting services in the United States. Nathan Littauer, always on the forefront of better patient care secured their services in January.“This change is important to Nathan Littauer because ISO ensures we are taking all the necessary steps to deliver effective, compassionate and safe healthcare to our patients.” said Diane Swartz. She concluded, “At our core is Littauer’s unwavering commitment to patient care. This accreditation process is proof of that commitment and that we are willing to set the bar even higher.”
Nathan Littauer does not use the drug for back pain that has been linked to meningitis Posted on October 5, 2012October 12, 2012 by Dakota PikeThe outbreak of a rare form of meningitis that has sickened patients in other states, has been linked to steroid injections used mostly for back pain, according to health officials. The drug is made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusettsthat issued a recall last week. NathanLittauerHospitalwould like assure people that we do not use the drug made by the manufacturer in question.Nathan Littauer Hospital Chief Pharmacist Robert Stankes who monitors all medications for Littauer stated emphatically, “I want to assure our patients who received Epidural Steroid Injections at Littauer that you did not receive the product that is being recalled.”If you have any additional questions, please call your physician’s office.
Park Terrace School and Nathan Littauer Celebrate International Walk to School Day Posted on October 4, 2012October 12, 2012 by Dakota Pike Hundreds brave the weather for good health while reducing their carbon footprints and local trafficToday, Park Terrace Elementary School joined schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day. The event was also supported and organized by Nathan Littauer Hospital. “ This was a fantastic event for all participants. We didn’t know that walking to school could be so much fun” stated Steve Pavone, Park Terrace principal.Littauer helps students walk to schoolApproximately 140 students walked to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders. Local Police were on hand to help direct traffic and promote safety.The event began at 8am with kids, parents, school staff and community leaders meeting at the park at the intersection of Park & Forrest Streets and walking up the hill to school, with walkers arriving at school in time for a special breakfast prepared by the school food service department. In all, the children walked approximately three quarters of a mile one way. Students carried signs they had made promoting Walk to School Day and demonstrating school spirit. They were asked to sign in and then chose from a selection of incentive items such as reflective tags or pencils provided by the state Safe Routes to School Program. Each student who participated will have their name entered in a drawing for a bicycle. Earlier in the week they had reviewed “walking safety” at an all school assembly.In 2011, International Walk to School Day was celebrated at more than 4,000 events at schools across the United States, along with children and adults in 40 countries around the world.Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.The event was organized by Park Terrace with support from HealthLink, a department of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Fulton County Public Health. Both health agencies look forward to working with other schools in an effort to promote safe walking (and biking) to school as a healthy, fun way to get some activity, enjoy time with friends, reduce traffic congestion and pollution.“Events like the National Walk to school day really bring our message of preventative health to the community, where they can have the most impact. It was great to see so many children and families walking to school, participating in healthy activity and most of all, they had fun doing it”, said Sue Cridland, Director of Community Education from NLH.October 3, 2012 students joined Nathan Littauer for International Walk to School DayFor additional local information, please contact Sue Cridland at 518-736-1120 or Steve Pavone at 775-5750.For additional information, please visit these websites:Walk to School Day in the USA www.walkbiketoschool.orgNational Center for Safe Routes to School www.saferoutesinfo.orgInternational Walk to School Day www.iwalktoschool.org
NEW VISIONS STUDENTS AT NATHAN LITTAUER LEARN ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Posted on October 3, 2012October 4, 2012 by Dakota PikeYesterday, Nathan Littauer’s HFM BOCES’s New Visions program participants were exposed to the complex issues of Domestic Violence through a session led by the Reverend Bonnie Orth, an internationally-known domestic violence instructor and Pastoral Care Coordinator for Nathan Littauer Hospital. Reverend Orth is also minister at the Mayfield Central Presbyterian Church. She had the students live in the shoes of women who are victims of abuse. Some students assumed the role of a silent witness.Using a program, called “In Her Shoes” the students assumed the identities of women who were abused by their significant other, and with bags and dolls in tow, attempted to navigate the complexities of domestic violence abuse. Some women had to pretend to leave in the middle of the night and attempt to find shelter for herself and their children. Some students had to follow scenarios that called for them to forgive and forget, returning to their abuser only to be abused again. The students wore Band-Aids symbolizing a beating and carried their things and dolls throughout the hospital. The students then learned that the role playing they had assumed represented a real story and real women. In the end, three of the students’ characters died at the hand of their abusers.Bonnie Orth also reviewed cycles of abuse in teens as well. In a particularly poignant moment Reverend Orth said, “I want you to think about Alex Kogut, this Thursday. It is her funeral”. Reverend Orth then passed out an article about Alexandra Kogut, a 21 year-old from the Utica area who was killed Sunday morning allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend.The girls reflected upon the exercise stating they when they were assuming the roles of their character, they felt frustrated, isolated and confused.Nathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton Counties in Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed acute care hospital, nine primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded 1894, has 980 employees and recently opened a new Diagnostic Imaging Center. For more information please visit www.nlh.org.The New Visions program is an academically rigorous one-year program, located at Nathan Littauer Hospital, and is designed for high school seniors interested in medical and health related professions. Students enrolled in the New Visions Health Careers program learn through traditional methods (lecture/discussion, reading and research, writing and specific topic study) as well as participation in clinical rotations—structured observations of medical professionals and procedures. These experiences provide students an opportunity to directly learn about the various health professions, appropriate patient care, and the latest in medical treatments and testing.
NATHAN LITTAUER WELCOMES NEW PEDIATRICIAN Posted on October 2, 2012October 3, 2012 by Dakota PikePediatrician has relocated to the region.Nathan Littauer announced today that a new pediatrician has joined the Nathan Littauer Family of Health Services. Walid Hanafi, MD will start seeing patients today, October 2, 2012. He is working in Littauer’s Mayfield offices Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays and at the Gloversville Primary Care Center on Fridays. “We are extremely fortunate to have found someone who has an exceptional medical pedigree and a passion for childhood health.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Hospital President and CEO. He added, “People have already commented on his warmth. I think parents and children will take to him instantly.”Dr. Hanafi completed his pediatric residency training at the Metropolitan Hospital at New York Medical College. He has special interests in childhood obesity and diseases of the thyroid and endocrine system. He also is interested in newborn screenings, and childhood growth and development.“Dr. Hanafi is a well-trained young pediatrician who has participated in research regarding endocrinology, diseases of thyroid, and growth disorders etc. With the growing need in these fields, our area is very fortunate to have his expertise.” stated Dr. Horowitz, Chief of Pediatrics for Littauer, adding, “He is very enthusiastic about getting started in pediatric practice and he will be a welcome addition to the pediatric staff at Nathan Littauer Hospital.”Dr. Hanafi (or Dr. Wally, as his patients call him) has participated in studies related to nutrition and health education for children who have diabetes and also in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. In his home country of Egypt, Dr. Hanafi participated in immunization programs delivered to children in rural areas. Dr. Hanafi is also well versed in treating critically-ill children as he spent part of his residency at the Maria Ferari Children’s Hospital treating critical and post-operative children.Dr. Hanafi also speaks Spanish and Arabic. When Dr. Hanafi reflected about relocating here he explained, “I am really impressed with how friendly the people are here. I am excited to serve this community. I believe I will fit well in the community.” He concluded, “In the coming weeks and I will work hard to gain my colleagues’ and families’ trust.” XXX
