Visitation guidelines announced

Visitation guidelines announced

ALBANY, N.Y., December 16, 2014 — Visitation guidelines are being implemented at several regional hospitals to further protect patients from influenza and other infectious diseases. These actions are being taken in response to increasing numbers of cases of influenza (Type A-H3N2) across the state and in this region.

The guidelines will be implemented in all hospitals joining this announcement by Friday, December 19, 2014.

Hospitals implementing the restrictions include Albany Medical Center; Nathan Littauer Hospital; St. Peter’s Health Partners acute care hospitals including Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital (Troy), St. Peter’s Hospital, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital; Ellis Medicine acute care hospitals including Bellevue Woman’s Center and Ellis Hospital; Glens Falls Hospital; Columbia Memorial Hospital; St. Mary’s Healthcare (Amsterdam); and Saratoga Hospital.

The restrictions include the following:

  • A maximum of two visitors will be permitted in a patient’s room at any one time.
  • Children 12 and under will be prohibited from visiting patients’ rooms, as they are more likely to have and transmit respiratory infections.
  • Visitors with rash, diarrhea or respiratory symptoms will be prohibited from visiting patients. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath.

The hospitals also are urging all visitors to use hand-washing stations before entering and upon leaving a patient’s room. Hand sanitizers are available at many hospital entrances and at many other locations throughout these hospitals, including the doorways of many patient rooms.

Some hospitals have special care units or physical layouts which may have additional visitation restrictions.

Hospital officials said there is a potential that this flu season could be more severe as one of the strains circulating is not in the vaccine.  They advised that it is still important to get vaccine, as it offers protection against other circulating strains and will reduce the likelihood of severe illness.

The same guidelines announced today were developed and temporarily implemented in previous years to address influenza outbreaks. These temporary restrictions are intended to help limit the transmission of the virus and protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provide their care during the outbreak.

Littauer Primary Care earns national recognition

Littauer Primary Care earns national recognition for Patient-Centered Care

NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home™ standards emphasize enhanced care through patient-clinician partnership

GLOVERSVILLE—TheREC_PCMH11(NCQA) announced the Primary and Specialty Care Centers of Nathan Littauer Hospital have received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships.

 

“We are pleased that the NCQA has recognized our high-quality of medical care being provided at all eight of our Primary and Specialty Care Centers. We have all focused on becoming a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) because we believe that is what is best for our community” said Patrice McMahon, Vice President of Primary Care for Littauer. “We have collaborated with our entire medical team and spent the last several years investing in and reforming our practice to provide better, more comprehensive care for our patients.“

 

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

 

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Littauer has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

 

To earn recognition, which is valid for three years, Littauer demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.

To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH Recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org.

 

NCQA evaluates nine Physician Practice Connections®-Patient Centered Medical HomeTM standards, including 10 “must-pass” elements, which can result in one of three levels of recognition. Level 3 is the highest level of recognition. The PPC-PCMH program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Osteopathic Association, and others.

 

“With a PCMH, our patients’ health should improve as we strive to provide seamless coordinated care” added Littauer’s McMahon.

 

 

About NCQA

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s Web site (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

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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, eight primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded in 1894, has 1,000 employees and recently hosted ground-breaking spine surgeries. For more information please visit www.nlh.org.

 

Wellness Words December 2014

HealthLink Littauer’s

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS Ed

Community Health Educator

Give Of Yourself This Holiday Season

Take a look around at all that you have.  You might think that you have “nothing” or “not that much.”  Stop and take a second look, and you will recognize all of the blessings that you do have, and how fortunate you really are.  This is important to keep in mind, when often times the focus at this time of year is materialistic things and who is going to give the best gift.  When you really think about it, the best gift that you can give someone is YOU!  Your time or a random act of kindness just because.

Just as in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” – when the Grinch stole all of the gifts from everyone in Whoville, the Who’s still celebrated the holiday. “It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes, and bags.”  The Who’s knew that the holiday meant something greater than the giving and receiving of material things, and they were happy to have each other.  You can put this kind of spirit into your holiday as well, by giving of yourself this year.

VOLUNTEER FOR A GOOD CAUSE

There are so many local organizations that would love to have some volunteers!  Some organizations are run solely on volunteers, and they are usually looking for people with fresh ideas and special skill sets. Great volunteer opportunities may include, but are not limited to:  soup kitchens, museums, theaters, libraries, recreation departments, hospitals, senior centers, animal shelters, community colleges, support groups, hiking trails or hiking organizations, after-school programs, or sports programs.  Why not offer to donate a few hours each week or each month to one of your favorite organizations?

According to research by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), not only will you feel satisfaction, accomplishment, and pride in your work, you will also be establishing connections with others in your community, helping to solve problems, improve lives, and strengthening your community.  In addition, the CNCS has also discovered some health benefits of volunteering as well, such as living longer, lower rates of depression, and overall improved physical and mental health.

PAY IT FORWARD

Did you know that some local businesses accept monetary donations that they put towards goods and services for people in need who would otherwise go without?  It is also a nice surprise when someone finds out that they do not have to pay their bill because someone ‘paid it forward.’ You never know how an act of kindness, big or small, can impact the lives of others.

According to the Huffington Post, the parents of Alyssa Josephine O’Neil had no idea what kind of difference a simple random act of kindness could make.  The Pennsylvania family had a daughter who struggled with epilepsy.  One September evening, Alyssa asked her parents to take her to Starbucks for a pumpkin-spiced latte the next morning.  Unfortunately she did not make that trip the next day as she succumbed to her illness. After her passing, her parents decided that since Alyssa could not enjoy her latte, they would buy 40 pumpkin-spiced lattes in her memory at Starbucks. They asked the baristas to give them away with the Alyssa’s initials AJO written on each cup.

Starbucks staff were so moved, they bought another 50 lattes to give away.  This small gesture was enough to get attention on the internet, and people all over the world began offering random acts of kindness for others at cafes, restaurants, salons, stores, etc., and posted pictures of bills and receipts with ‘AJO pay it forward’ written on them.  Because of the overwhelming response from people, the O’Neil’s decided to start the AJO Forever Fund, which helps families pay for medical bills related to epilepsy and also serves as a scholarship fund for aspiring nurses.  This movement has gained global recognition.

How can you pay it forward?  How about leaving coupons you aren’t going to use on community message boards, buy a bowl of soup for someone in need, donate food and clothing to a church or food pantry, offer to run errands for a neighbor, when shopping leave some money with the cashier to help pay for the goods and services of the person next in line.

A CALL TO ACTION

Practicing volunteerism or paying it forward can help improve your physical and mental health, and can make the season less stressful and a bit more cheerful, no matter what holiday you and your family observe. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, etc., instead of buying and sending presents this year, be present, send your love, wrap someone in a hug, give the gift of your time, and surprise someone with a random act of kindness.  You will be happy that you did!

Also, remember that when the Grinch thought he had stolen Christmas, he expected the Who’s to be sad but he was shocked when he heard that, “every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, were singing without any presents at all!”  The Grinch was confused but then “he thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas does not come from a store?  What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more.”

For more information, contact HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120.  You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.

Littauer announces Nicole Cleary, the latest Goodwill Award recipient

GLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has announced Nicole Cleary, a Registration Representative in Littauer’s Patient Registration is the recipient of the Goodwill Employee for the third quarter of 2014.

 

Nicole’s positive attitude, genuine smile, along with her friendly and outgoing personality with patients, and co-workers made her an obvious choice for the honor.

 

“Her willingness to go above-and-beyond her job details has created a total success story here at Littauer” said Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly. “Employees like Nicole allow us to do here at Littauer what we do best. Work sometimes behind the scenes is critical to our patient success, and allows us to strive with better programs and equipment for the community.”

 

“This is pretty special” said Cleary. “It’s nice to be recognized for something you love to do.”

 

Cleary went on to explain about a patient who was not feeling well and was understandably miserable. “He wasn’t responding to my questions, so I sang them to him. By the end of his visit he jokingly wanted to marry me!”

The NLH Goodwill award is given out quarterly and once annually to an employee, recognizing goodwill and promoting “people caring for people.” Nicole received a plaque on the NLH Hall of Fame, a monetary award, and a preferred parking space.

 

Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients, and submitted to the Goodwill Committee, where in a blind format they are selected. Quarterly employees are among other nominations for the NLH Goodwill Employee of the Year.

 

PHOTO CAPTION: Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly with NLH third quarter Goodwill Award honoree Nicole Cleary

PHOTO CAPTION:
Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly with NLH third quarter Goodwill Award honoree Nicole Cleary

Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary hosts annual Card/Game Party Fundraiser

Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary hosted its annual Card/Game Party fundraiser Wednesday, Oct. 29 at The Holiday Inn in Johnstown.

Approximately fifty men and women attended, playing cards and board games, and enjoyed a delicious luncheon. The event raised $2500 to benefit the hospital. Anita Beck and Jeanne Wilkinson co-hosted the event and Suzanne Herrick, Patron Chairman also assisted in fundraiser. Gifts and gift certificates were donated by Laurence Kelly, NLH & NH Gift Shop, Longfellows and Olde Bryan Inn, Wine & Roses Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Union Hall Inn, Sam’s Steak & Seafood, Travers Family Restaurant,The Pizza Joint, Bowman’s Market, Mary Kay Gift Bag by Carl Sleezer, Handmade handbags by Eileen Wrightsman and Gladys Meola, Stained-Glass Butterfly by Mountain Valley Hospice. Winners were Carol Brookins, Barbara Cohen, Katherine Cozzolino, Carol Visconti, Carolyn Kovarik, Betty Burchell, Gladys Meola, Nancy Rodenmacher, Barbara Warner, Ruth Vlock, Sheila Sammons, Eileen Wadsworth, Anne Campos.

Prizes and gift certificates were also donated by Pecks Flowers, Al’s Pizzeria, Applebees, Embrees Wine & Spirits, Forget Me Knots, Harold’s Restaurant, Mendetta’s Pizzeria, and the Wine Barrel.

The Auxillary would like to thank the patron’s who continue to generously support the Auxiliary’s Card/Game Party: Teresa Beck, Ann Lee Clough, Charlene Ellingwood, Nan Ferguson, Cheryl Horowitz, Elaine Hoye, Monica Kiernan, Nancy Larner, Robert & Carol Maider, Mrs. Paul E. Smith, Lois Widdermer, Ellen Wood, Mrs. Alexander Yvars, Jeanne Wilkinson. Special thanks to Ann Adore, NLH & NH Engineering Department, and thanks to committee members, Mona Capasso, Carolyn Kovarik, Gladys Meola, Nancy Rodenmacher, Antoinette Tropia, Pat Walker, Susan McNeil. Proceeds continue to benefit projects underwritten by the Auxiliary and the Reflection Garden.

PHOTO CAPTION: Barbara Warner, left, Nancy Krawczeski, Belinda Germain are having fun playing Mahjong at NLH & NH Auxiliary's annual Card/Game Party

PHOTO CAPTION:
Barbara Warner, left, Nancy Krawczeski, Belinda Germain are having fun playing Mahjong at NLH & NH Auxiliary’s annual Card/Game Party