Aaron Hayes named Employee of the Quarter Posted on November 7, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeAaron Hayes is our Employee of the QuarterLittauer honors Aaron Hayes as Employee of the QuarterHospital engineer was instrumental during recent stormsWhen Hurricane Irene and the related storms came barreling down on our region, Aaron Hayes, an engineer at Nathan Littauer Hospital knew his shift was not going to be a typical shift. And he was right. After working around the clock, he continually addressed leaks, assured patient safety, maintained building integrity and answered internal alarms. And when Nathan Littauer Hospital announced their Employee of the Quarter last week in an organization-wide celebration, his name was called. “This quarter we are recognizing Aaron Hayes.” stated Littauer’s President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly. Employees gathered for the celebration cheered when they heard is name called.Mr. Kelly explained, “Our hospital never works better than when we have a real emergency. Aaron was one of the responders to that crisis.” During that crucial time, Nathan Littauer was weathering the storm and receiving patient transfers from another hospital who had to evacuate. Aaron chipped in, took action and did what ever was asked of him. Even more, he did it with a smile.One of the housekeepers who nominated him wrote, “He worked non-stop, going on the roof, traveling throughout the entire campus, responding to alarms and he never complained- he just kept right on going.”Aaron is a Mayfield native and has worked at Nathan Littauer for three years. Upon receiving the award Aaron said, “I was very surprised when they called my name.” He added humbly, “I was just doing my job. I did not do anything differently than what any member of the engineering team would do.”Hospital spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan explained, “Patient care does not end with clinical support. Aaron made sure any leaks were quickly fixed, assured patient safety from any wind and water damage and safe-guarded our equipment,” She added, “Aaron is a fine example of what we do best: people caring for people.” She noted, “Aaron even moved a patient’s car when the patient was discharged during the height of the storm.”Employee of the Quarter is a function of the Goodwill Committee at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing home. The committee meets to find “someone who displays an attitude and a professional demeanor that captures the ideals of the hospital’s mission.” Employees of the Quarter receive a plaque, preferred parking and a check.
Nathan Littauer offers comments regarding the current negotiations with NYSNA Posted on November 4, 2011 by Dakota PikeGloversville, NY…Last night, Nathan Littauer Hospital was served a letter outlining the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) notice of their intent to strike at 6:45 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2011. The hospital management states that if the nurses do strike, patient care will continue with minimal interruption. “Our focus remains supporting our community with excellent health care.” stated Nathan Littauer’s Hospital President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly. He added, “Caring for our patients is our highest priority, and this issue will not change that.”“For months, the hospital has had a contingency plan in place and we have already started to act on that plan.” stated Ginger Mulligan Vice President of Nursing at the hospital. “If need be, we will supplement our staff with a staffing agency, one which provides a very high level of care.” She concluded, “Our patients will be well cared for and can be confident they will receive safe, courteous and compassionate care.”Nathan Littauer Hospital has responded to the current contract negotiations with New York State Nurses Association. The letter is printed below in its entirety: ***************************************A LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY:For months, Nathan Littauer Hospital has remained silent about the current negotiations with the union, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which represents our Registered Nurses. The time has come to speak plainly to our community. The nurses’ union at Nathan Littauer Hospital says they want a fair and reasonable contract. Everyone has their own opinion on what fair and reasonable is. The hospital Board of Directors and Administration believe we are offering a fair and reasonable contract. The current contract for registered nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital provides: The starting base salary of new graduate nurse is $51,064.At 10 years of experience the base salary is $72,134.The top-of-the range base salary is $75,462.RNs are given additional salary over and above their base salary for working evening/nights/weekends or having additional training as follows:Evening shift ………………………………. + $7,800 per yearNight shift …………………………………. +$9,800 per yearWeekend shift ………………………….. + $3.00 per hourBachelor’s degree …………………….. + $1.00 per hourBe a preceptor to a new nurse …… + $1.50 per hourPerfect attendance for a year ……. + 2 additional days of payOvertime ………………………………….. + 1 ½ times regular payThe average salary/income in 2010 of a full-time RN at Nathan Littauer Hospital with 10 years of experience was $90,000. The hospital is proud to provide the salaries/wages as shown above. They are competitive with every hospital in Albany, Schenectady and beyond. Our nurses work hard, and they deserve to be paid on a par with RNs in the Capital Region.Additionally, RNs are given: 2 weeks of vacation, 1 personal day and 8 holidays per year when they begin employment.At 1 year of employment their personal days are increased to 4.At 3 years of employment they are given 3 weeks of vacation plus the personal days and holidays.At 8 years of employment they are given 16 vacation days plus the personal days and holidays.At 12 years they are given 18 vacation days plus personal days and holidays.At 14 years they are given 19 vacation days plus personal days and holidays.At 15 years they are given 20 vacation days plus the personal days and holidays.At 20 years they are given 25 vacation days plus the personal days and holidays. Additionally, RNs are given:12 paid sick days per year to start and 18 paid sick days at 10 years of employment. Additionally, RNs are given: 100% paid single health insurance coverage by MVP or Blue Shield4% pension contribution by hospitalLife InsuranceTuition reimbursement The hospital has offered a three-year contract with salary/wage increases of 1.75%, 1.0% and 1.0%. The nurses’ union does not think that is fair and reasonable. The hospital believes the 18 paid sick days per year that 10-year nurses receive is not fair and should be reduced to the 12 days that other employees receive. We know of no hospital in New York state that gives nurses 18 sick days per year. The union disagrees and thinks that 18 sick days per year is fair and reasonable. What do you think is fair and reasonable?The hospital exists to provide health care to our community. We have been impacted by the struggling state and national economy like almost everyone. The state reduced our revenue through Medicaid cuts this year by $500,000 and the federal government reduced our revenue through Medicare cuts this year by $250,000. When people in our area lose their jobs and their health insurance, we are affected too. We provided over $1.4 million of charity care so far this year compared to less than half that just 2 years ago. We are proud to be able to provide that charity care, but it shows that we have to be prudent with every dollar we commit in any future contract, knowing more reimbursement cuts and losses of health insurance are on the horizon.We understand that NYSNA works hard to represent their members. In our experience, NYSNA never wants to lose a benefit and always expects higher salaries/wages each year. We believe the contract we have proposed is very generous, competitive with other hospitals and is more than fair and reasonable. The union does not agree.The nurses’ union has also said that the focus of their negotiations is to maintain the quality of care and to recruit and retain quality nurses. The fact is that there is no nursing shortage at Nathan Littauer. For years we have filled any vacancies very quickly. We have scores of nurses who have worked at NLH for decades. For the union to say that we need to pay our nurses more than we have offered and provide 18 paid sick days in order to recruit and retain staff to maintain quality of care is just not true.Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home hopes to have a new contract with our Registered Nurses. Whether we do or do not will not affect our services or the care that we provide to our patients. Quality care is and will always be our mission and our commitment to our community.XXX
Littauer offers advice to keep people in the trees Posted on November 3, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeDoctor offers deer hunters some safety tipsGloversville, NY — With deer hunting season in full swing, Dr. Todd Duthaler, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Nathan Littauer Hospital, would like to remind hunters about the dangers of tree stands. The tree stand is a popular piece of hunting equipment, one which affords the hunter a good vantage point. But that same piece of equipment can be dangerous used recklessly or carelessly.Dr. Todd DuthalerNationally, one in three hunting injuries involves a tree stand. Dr. Duthaler states that he has witnessed the results of tree stand falls in his emergency department. “They usually result in broken bones.” stated the Doctor. He added, “Most concerning though, is that most tree stand falls involve people who are alone and far from help.”The Center for Disease Control found that the average stand was placed 16 feet above the ground. That height can cause serious injury if a hunter was to fall. The Doctor explains that although he does not know the exact number, he has witnessed “many tree stand injuries during past hunting seasons”. The Doctor states that his single most important tip is to wear a safety harness while hunting in a tree stand. Although, wearing a harness is not enough. He explains, “I prefer a full-body harness that supports a person’s weight by the torso and legs. More importantly, keep your tether short to prevent long falls. If a tethered person does fall, help them by allowing them to right themselves using the tree stand, refraining from releasing them or cutting the tether.”According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, “Serious injuries and deaths from tree stand falls are increasingly common.” They offer the following safety tip, “Don’t go too high. Remember that the higher you go, the smaller the vital zone on a deer becomes. And the likelihood of a serious injury escalates if you fall from high up. Usually, 15 to 20 feet is high enough.”Doctor Duthaler also likes the safety tips the Department of Natural Resources, out of Maryland uses. To help prevent tree stand accidents, they offer the following safety precautions:Never carry equipment with you while climbing. Use a haul line to raise or lower your gear. Make sure guns are unloaded and broadheads are covered prior to raising or lowering firearms or bows with a haul line.Since most accidents occur when hunters are climbing up or down a tree, always use a climbing belt. Always use a safety belt or harness when hunting from elevated tree stands. Study manufacturer’s recommendations before using any equipment. Never use a rope to replace a safety belt.Check permanent tree stands every year before hunting from them, and replace any worn or weak lumber.Read, understand and follow the factory recommended practices and procedures when installing commercial stands. Inspect portable stands for loose nuts and bolts each time they are used.Choose only healthy, living trees when using climbing devices. Rough-barked trees such as oak are best. Do not use a tree that is rotten or has dead limbs.Never put all your weight on a single branch. Keep at least one hand and one foot on a secure place when reaching for the next hold.Climb higher than the stand and step down onto it. Climbing up onto it can dislodge it.Wear boots with non-skid soles, because steps or platforms can be slippery in rain, sleet or snow.Tell a dependable person where you’re hunting and when you plan on returning. Map your whereabouts and leave a note at camp, at home or in your car so that you can be found.Don’t fall asleep. This is a common cause of accidents. If you get drowsy, move your arms rapidly until you feel alert.Never wear a ring in any climbing situation. Rings can catch on tree limbs and equipment.As a precautionary measure, remove all logs, upturned and cutoff saplings, rocks and other obstructions on the ground below the tree stand.Use updated equipment. When used properly, newer tree stand equipment is solid, safe and secure. Older models of safety belts offer some protection, but newer safety harnesses offer more protection.Carry a whistle to call for help and carry a first aid kit, flashlight and cellular telephone in a fanny pack.References: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/education/ts.html
Wellness Words October 2011 Posted on October 11, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed among women in the United States in 2011. Males can also be diagnosed with breast cancer, but male breast cancer cases make up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of breast cancer. As a tumor develops, the following signs might be noticed:A lump in the breast or underarm. These are the often the first signs of breast cancer and are painless. These lumps are usually visible on a mammogram long before they can be seen or felt.Swelling in the armpit.Although lumps are usually painless, pain or tenderness in the breast.A noticeable flattening or indentation on the breast, which may indicate a tumor that cannot be seen or felt.Any change in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of the breast.A change in the nipple, such as an indrawn or dimpled look, itching or burning sensation, or ulceration.Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody or another color.A marble-like area under the skin.An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.There are several types of breast cancer that can be divided into two main categories – noninvasive cancers and invasive cancers.Non-invasive breast cancer. These cancers are confined to the ducts or lobules and don’t spread to surrounding tissues. Most are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and are only found in the milk duct of the breast. If not treated, they can become invasive cancers.Invasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancers penetrate through normal breast tissue and invade surrounding areas. They are more serious than noninvasive cancers because they can spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs and brain.As with all types of cancer, early detection is the key for treatment of breast cancer. Although no technology is perfect, mammography screening remains the best available method to detect breast cancer early. Research is under way to improve the technology to lead to better accuracy and create new technologies. Additionally, the U.S. Congress passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act to ensure that mammography facilities throughout the country are of high quality and are reliable. Each facility must display a certificate issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to serve as evidence that the facility meets quality standards.Along with mammography screenings, there are several suggestions for women to practice elements of good breast health. These suggestions include:Obtain regular mammography screening starting at the age of 40.Obtain annual clinical breast exams.Perform monthly breast-self exams.Obtain a breast cancer risk assessment from physician.Free breast cancer screenings are available for women age 40+ without health insurance. For details, contact the Cancer Services Program at 841-3726.For more information, visit www.nbcam.org, contact your health care provider or 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.
Dr. Shen to offer free seminar: Innovations in Surgical Spine Care Posted on October 10, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeIn his own words, the new Orthopedic Surgeon to address community Dr. Shen arrived in the region 78 days ago and in that short time he has: completed numerous ground-breaking surgeries; had hundreds of patient visits-some traveling as far away as Connecticut and Tennessee; appeared on national radio shows; opened a new office in Johnstown with Mohawk Valley Orthopedics; and even weighed 125 children’s’ backpacks. “With his rising popularity and high demand, we wanted to offer our community an opportunity to hear him speak first-hand about the techniques he brings to our region.” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Littauer’s President and CEO.Dr. Jian Shen at Nathan Littauer Hospital will offer a FREE clinic to the community, October 18, 2011 at the Johnstown Holiday InnTherefore, Nathan Littauer Hospital is presenting an evening with Dr. Shen to address “Innovations in Spine Care”. The free seminar will be Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 6:30pm at The Johnstown Holiday Inn. A free dessert buffet will be provided. “This will be a rare opportunity to hear about the myriad of solutions this phenomenal surgeon brings to our region” said Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan. “Patients will learn about break-through surgeries and be given the opportunity to ask questions.” The hospital’s goal is to reduce spine pain.Back Pain?According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), “Back pain is an all-too-familiar problem that can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that leaves you incapacitated. It can come on suddenly—from an accident, a fall, or lifting something heavy—or it can develop slowly, perhaps as the result of age-related changes to the spine. Regardless of how back pain happens or how it feels, you know it when you have it. And chances are, if you don’t have back pain now, you will eventually.” “One of society’s most common medical problems” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that in a 3-month period, about one-fourth of U.S. adults experience at least 1 day of back pain. Therefore, they refer to back pain as, “one of our society’s most common medical problems.”To reserve a seat at the free seminar, people are asked to RSVP by calling 773-5505 or by emailing spines@nlh.org. Seating is limited.
