Regional Hospitals Together Sign Consensus Requiring Employee Vaccinations Posted on August 11, 2021August 11, 2021 by Dakota PikeAn excerpt from the approved regional hospital’s consensus:COVID-19 Vaccination Consensus StatementThe hospitals within the Capital Region are committed to the safety of our patients, staff and our community. As such, we believe that all healthcare workers (employees, students, credentialed staff and volunteers), barring exemption or appropriate deferral, should be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, we agree to implement mandatory vaccination policies and are taking steps to achieve that goal in our respective institutions.Why?COVID-19 is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death. Anyone can get COVID-19, including people who are otherwise healthy. Requiring a COVID-19 vaccine demonstrates our commitment to protect the safety and health of our patients, many of whom already have weakened immune systems, as well as visitors, co-workers, and our own families. Highly transmissible variants of COVID-19 are increasing in the community and causing increased case rates which may affect our patients, visitors, and staff.Read the full consensus statement by using the link below.Regional-Hospital-Consensus-VaccineDownload
Nathan Littauer to Resume Preoperative COVID-19 Testing Posted on August 2, 2021August 3, 2021 by Dakota PikeOut of an abundance of caution, and for our patients’ safety, Nathan Littauer Hospital will once again require COVID-19 testing prior to all surgeries performed in our Surgical Center.Any questions about preoperative testing can be answered by calling our Surgery Center at (518) 773-5791For other questions about general COVID-19 testing, we encourage you to utilize New York State’s COVID testing center locator, by visiting their website here.
Nathan Littauer Hospital Launches New Cardiac Care Program Posted on July 14, 2021July 14, 2021 by Dakota PikeCollaboration brings new service to patients in Fulton CountyNathan Littauer Hospital recently launched the Primary Care Center’s Cardiology Group (PCC Cardiology), a locally owned, locally run practice that makes comprehensive cardiac care easily accessible to patients in Fulton County.PCC Cardiology at Littauer provides integrated cardiology services for inpatients at the hospital and for outpatients at PCC Cardiology offices in the hospital’s medical arts building at 99 East State St.The new services are provided under a partnership with Albany Medical Center Hospital and Saratoga Hospital, two affiliates in the Albany Med Health System. Under the arrangement, PCC Cardiology patients receive cardiac care in their community. Those who require a higher level of care—for cardiac catheterization and interventional procedures—are treated at Saratoga Hospital or Albany Medical Center Hospital, as appropriate, and return to PCC Cardiology for follow-up services.“This Program strikes a nice balance between independence and collaboration,” said Sean Fadale, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital. “Most importantly, it gives Nathan Littauer patients the best of both worlds—high-quality cardiology care close to home, and seamless access to higher level services, if necessary.”PCC Cardiology is the latest example of Nathan Littauer’s commitment to deliver a continuum of community-based services at Fulton County’s only hospital.“For 25 years, we have been building service lines for our patients, said Patrice McMahon, vice president of primary/specialty care at Littauer and PCC Cardiology project lead. “The development of PCC Cardiology—and the integration of cardiology and primary care services—is a natural progression as we continue to enhance care coordination and the overall patient experience.”Dr. Frederick Goldberg, chief medical officer at Nathan Littauer, cited the expertise of the cardiology team, which has earned American Heart Association recognition for quality measures that improve treatment for patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Goldberg also emphasized the advantages of having cardiac specialty care and complementary services under one roof.“We know that early detection is essential in treating heart disease and preventing severe cardiac illness,” he said. “Having highly skilled cardiologists on-site at our Gloversville Center will increase opportunities for physicians to identify patients with unaddressed cardiac conditions and coordinate their care.”The decision to invite Saratoga Hospital and Albany Medical Center Hospital to partner with PCC Cardiology reflects Nathan Littauer’s determination to continually find innovative ways to deliver specialty care to this rural community.“We share Nathan Littauer’s commitment to excellent, compassionate care. We consider it a privilege to be invited to help provide that to the people of Fulton County,” said Angelo Calbone, President and CEO of Saratoga Hospital.“We are proud to be part of this partnership and to have the opportunity to elevate this community’s standards of care by providing easier access to the highly specialized services available through the region’s only academic medical center,” said Dennis P. McKenna, MD, President and CEO of Albany Medical Center Hospital.PCC Cardiology opened in early June, and “Already we are seeing the impact on our community,” said Jackie Wilson, practice coordinator. “Patients welcome the convenience of having this care available locally. As word spreads, we expect the momentum to continue.”The new practice also gives Nathan Littauer the opportunity to further its vision of enhancing access to screenings and other services that help detect heart disease early when treatment is likely to be most effective. The hospital will promote these efforts with a social media campaign in the coming weeks.“Nathan Littauer is focused on positively changing the landscape of heart care within the communities we serve,” Fadale said. “With PCC Cardiology and the prevention programs offered through our primary care services, we can make even more progress in strengthening the hearts of our community.”PCC Cardiology at Littauer replaces Cardiology Associates of Schenectady as the provider of cardiac services at the hospital. “They were a good partner, and we wish them luck in the future,” Fadale said. “In recent years, we recognized a growing need for organization-centric cardiology services. PCC Cardiology at Littauer meets that need and best serves our community.”For more information about Nathan Littauer’s PCC Cardiology and its services, questions are welcome by calling (518) 773-5393.XXXAbout Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Nathan Littauer Hospital Recognized for Considerable Lactation Care Posted on July 12, 2021July 12, 2021 by Dakota PikeThe International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) have recognized the Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital for excellence in lactation care.“We’re proud to introduce new technology and medical approaches in breastfeeding support,” says Littauer’s, RN, IBCLC, Nancy Quinlan. “Our patients are excited. We are one of the seven New York State hospitals that applied and received this award for 2021-2023. We are a medical practice leader, and our breastfeeding support services remained strong during the pandemic.”The Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital has received the 2021 IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families.Marin Skariah, MSN, FNP-BC, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, IBCLC, and Chair of the Board of IBLCE, recently stated, “Institutions that are awarded the IBCLC Care Award have dedicated their efforts to promote and provide a lactation program that makes expert assistance available when the breastfeeding family needs it. Through the presentation of this Award, IBLCE honors the work of IBCLCs around the world as they strive to advance global public health by providing expert lactation care to families and by promoting breastfeeding care to other healthcare professionals through advocacy and training.”IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully assist with breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.As allied health care professionals with the leading internationally recognized certification for professional lactation services, IBCLC professionals work in hospitals and birthing centers, clinics, public health agencies, private practice, community settings, government agencies, and in research. There are currently more than 33,400 such professionals in 125 countries and territories worldwide that are IBCLCs (www.iblce.org). The IBCLC certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA accreditation represents a mark of quality for certification program.In addition to finding IBCLC professionals at Nathan Littauer Hospital, families can also find an IBCLC near them by visiting www.ilca.org. Follow the “Find a Lactation Consultant” link and search for an IBCLC by postal code, city and state, or country. For more information on Littauer’s Lactation Services, or the Lactation Care Team, visit their website at For more information about the IBCLC Care Award program, contact IBLCE at award@iblce.org. XXXAbout Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Caroga Lake Primary Care Center Ribbon-cutting Ceremony Posted on June 28, 2021June 28, 2021 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the healthcare organization’s Caroga Lake Primary Care Center, Thursday, June 24 at 1:00 p.m.Nathan Littauer staff and administrative members, The Town of Caroga council/board members, and structural engineers cut the ribbon to the new Caroga Lake Primary Care Center.“This care center is important for the health and wellness of the people of Caroga,” says Littauer President and CEO Sean Fadale. “We’re immensely proud of this center. This care center underlines our organization’s goal of making healthcare services accessible. We’ve got great people at Nathan Littauer, and now a great facility here in Caroga, all for the great people in the area.”The healthcare organization began the center’s construction in late September 2020. Previously, Nathan Littauer Hospital leased a portion of the municipal building, owned by the Town of Caroga in 2005.“In the grand scheme of things, this small building was a huge project,” said Littauer Vice President of Population Health and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation, Geoffrey Peck. “All of the planning and construction took place during the pandemic. It was a well-coordinated effort from everyone involved.”The new Primary Care Center is approximately 1,350 square feet of space, and is next to Caroga’s Town Hall, where the original primary care center was housed.“We’re here for the people of Caroga,” says Littauer Office Coordinator Elizabeth “Betsy” Oathout. “I’m incredibly happy with how the center turned out, and I think our patients are, too.”The Caroga Lake Primary Care Center is now accepting new patients. To call and schedule an appointment, or to select a primary care provider, call: (518) 835-2341.
