Nathan Littauer Ahead of the Pack: Most Connected Hospital in the Region Posted on August 12, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeCaption for photo Sarah Katz, NLH’s Social Networking Technician helps the hospital use new tools to reach audiences.Gloversville, NY…You may be surprised to hear that the hospital with the largest social networking system in the region is Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, NY. “We wanted to build an information platform not just a website.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Hospital President and CEO. He added, “We have a lot of information and good news to share here and we saw social media as just one more way to reach our vast audience.” He explained, “Also, we wanted people to know that we embrace new technology in a myriad of forms, be it in social media or in medicine.” “According to our research, we are the only hospital in the region with a blog, Facebook site, a Twitter account, and YouTube channel.” stated Cheryl McGrattan Hospital Spokesperson. To date, the hospital also has the largest amount of “Friends” of any local hospital. Their findings are also supported by Ed Bennett who maintains a national website devoted to hospitals using social media. (www.ebennett.org). According to Ms. McGrattan, “It makes good sense to use these tools. All 14 hospitals listed on the 2010-2011 U.S. News Honor Roll are using social media. And 78% of the larger Best Hospitals List are also engaged on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.” (E. Bennett). The hospital also created a microsite using social media (radiologyrevolution.com) to highlight their diagnostic capabilities, a tool many large corporations use to promote a product. The hospital’s efforts recently caught the attention of social media guru Jason Falls who wrote about Nathan Littauer Hospital in his blog. (http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/) . The blog is followed by 50,000 people. Jason Falls said, “Organizations like the Nathan Littauer Hospital are doing a great job of pushing media relations into a new era. While social media is often focused on serving the end consumer audience, Nathan Littauer’s communications team is using new media tools to continue to serve traditional media as well. They’re a good example of what the evolution of PR looks like in 2010.”To reach their social media goals, the hospital employed a Social Networking Technician, Sarah Katz. In five short months, Sarah has built a social media platform consisting of Facebook sites, videos on YouTube, Twitter and has created a network of devoted fans. She describes, “For a conservative industry like health care, Nathan Littauer did not have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the social media world.” She added, ‘For that I give Nathan Littauer a lot of credit”.“It seems to be working.” According to Sue Kiernan, “Social media is an additional touch point for Nathan Littauer.” She explained, “One afternoon we heard from a woman in Ohio on our Facebook site whose mother had been a resident in our nursing home. She wondered if anyone remembered her mom. We quickly contacted the nursing home and were able to get word to her that her mother was very well thought of and remembered by several staff. She was so touched by our response. That type of interaction is not seen in a mere website alone.”“Everyone here has really embraced this initiative” stated Sarah Katz. “Staff have submitted wellness tips which we post every week. We have posted videos of what our diagnostic testing is like, we created photo albums showing the construction progress of our new Emergency Center, and we have videos of physical therapists giving instruction on how to stretch before a round of golf.” The hospital also launched a Facebook campaign, “100 Reasons to get a Mammogram”, in which the hospital asked their Facebook fans to submit reasons why they or a loved one should get a mammogram. Sarah notes, “The campaign was extremely quick and successful. We had responses from politicians, local celebrities, doctors and business leaders.” We are also launching a YouTube series which demonstrates how to eat well on the run.What is next for the hospital? According to Sue Kiernan, “Right now we are completing a project in which we will try Tweeting births in our new Birthing Center. Beyond that I can only say, ‘Become a fan on our page and you will be the first to know about our plans for the future’.”xxx
Fulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for August Posted on August 11, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeFulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for AugustAugust 14, a day to dispose of these safelyOn Saturday, Aug. 14 the Fulton County Department of Solid Waste will present the first ever county-wide Pharmaceutical Drop-Off Day from 7 a.m.-noon.The pharmaceutical collection is a cooperative effort between several local agencies, including the DSW, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Fulton County Public Health, and the Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility. ASAP’s Promise, a division of the HFM Prevention Council, has also offered to distribute information on the program.“Most people have heard that flushing medicines can harm the environment. This program gives Fulton County residents a way to dispose of old medicine in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Jeff Bouchard, Solid Waste Director. Continue reading “Fulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for August”
Nathan Littauer’s own Dr. O’Brien on the news! Posted on July 12, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer is a source of information for the news.When the heat soared to record levels, Littauer’s Dr. McBiles gave recommendationsWhen the media needs experts, time and time again they turn to Nathan Littauer for our opinion. And when heat indexes reached alarming levels, July 6, 2010 Nathan Littauer’s own Dr. O’Brien was able to give sound heat safety advice to our area. You may have also heard him on WENT, WGY or you may have read his sage advice in the newspaper. Dr. O’Brien, one of our newest members of our physician team, is a family practitioner and as you can see from this video, a wealth of information. If you would like to book an appointment with the best physicians in the Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties, call 773-5690 today.
Another grateful patient Posted on July 1, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeIn 2009 our Emergency Care Department treated over 24,000 people.This just in… Another grateful Littauer patient“I was a patient in NLH’s ER yesterday (June 29, 2010) after breaking my arm in a fall. Since I cannot type, I asked my husband to convey my appreciation on my behalf. From the moment of my arrival, all of the staff was attentive and professional and focused on my needs. Both the ER and Radiology/Xray staff made my discomfort more bearable. Special appreciation to ER RN Brandi Maye, Dr. Gorgas and attending RN Kathleen Possillico. Please extend a big thank you to all. I could not have been treated any better. As bad as it was it was for me it was really a great experience. And they were also so nice to my husband. I am feeling better and am awaiting a full recovery. Thank you.”Ms. Carol LeboGloversville, NY
Nurses throughout the region attend “Train the Trainer” program offered by Littauer Posted on April 22, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeLittauer’s P.E.A.R.L. Program trains nurses to succeedGloversville, NY…A group of nurses gathered April 5th and 9th at Littauer’s HealthLink offices to learn how to best transition new nurses into their field. PEARL stands for: Promoting Education And Relationships at Littauer, and is a “train the trainer” series created specifically for nurses. The PEARL Clinical Coaching at NLH is designed to give professional preceptors the tools necessary to assist new employees. The intensive two-day seminar educates clinical coaches in the concepts and theories of precepting as developed by the Vermont Nurse Internship Project. “This program helps nurses train today’s nurse, resulting in a greater job satisfaction, and higher retention rates.” stated Kathy Rohrs, MSN, RN, the program organizer and lead educator. She added, “The best result of this program is enhanced patient care and employee satisfaction.”A program which is earning rave reviewsAbout 19 participants were instructed in various techniques that help to acclimate graduate nurses or licensed nurses to the demands of today’s acute care hospital. The program teaches conflict management, fostering critical thinking, use of effective communication, organization skills, delegation and liability. The participants develop a learning plan and review how to assess nurses’ competence. Mr. Rohrs explains, “The end goal is to develop a professional preceptor who is a competent, communicative nurse, not only content in their position but educated in how to assist new nurses reach that same point.”The program is modeled from the Vermont Nurses in Partnership curriculum in professional preceptor development. Susan Boyer, MS, RN, Director of VNIP, stated “Vermont Nurses In Partnership (VNIP) has greatly enjoyed sharing the VNIP model/resources with NYSNA and the involved NY Health Care agencies. Each agency faces unique and challenging circumstances, thus the flexibility of the VNIP model is essential to its success. With ten years of experience and data collection, we have learned that nurse internships are essential to safe and effective transition into practice. This experience validates that internships are as strong or as weak as the foundation that is built for them and the primary structure of that foundation is preceptor development and support. The success that Nathan Littauer Hospital has had with the VNIP program gives evidence of the hospital’s commitment to high quality care and evidence-based practice.”Now in its second year, the program is has shown great success to the recruitment and retention rate of nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Proudly, the information from last year’s program was presented by the New York State Nurses Association to a seminar in Africa. This year, Mrs. Susan Boyer, Executive Director of the Vermont Nurses Association in Partnership (VNIP) has requested that the successful campaign format for NLH be allowed to be used for the VNIP project to assist other hospitals in the Northeast in implementation of such educational sessions.The program is receiving rave reviews. Evaluations of the program said it was a “great program, very informative as well as entertaining” and “I appreciate the value NLH has for their employees in training and retraining them.” If you are a nurse and would like more information on professional Preceptor training please contact the Education Department at Nathan Littauer Hospital at 773-5495. xxx
Great Care Appreciated Posted on April 8, 2010 by Dakota PikeApril 2, 2010First published in the: Leader HeraldLast week, our oldest daughter experienced some health issues, requiring transportation to Nathan Littauer Hospital. She was admitted to pediatrics for two days. She is well again now.We have many people to thank. First, a special thanks to ASFC’s Don Frye and Wayne Allan. You guys were awesome, both true professionals. We will never forget all that you did for us, especially the quick response time. Thanks for staying with me in the ED and reassuring me. Thanks seems so inadequate at this time. We are very lucky as a community to have people like you in the field.Thanks so very much to Dr. Laurie Gorgas, ED. Your kind words and professional, caring manner all mean the world to me. You did a great job with her.Thanks to Eileen and Chantelle, and all of you who were on duty. You are great nurses. I’m so proud of you.Thanks to all the fine ladies in pediatrics. You took great care of Taylor and the rest of us, too.Thanks to our dear friend Dr. Robert Werblin, who spent hours of his own time (while not on duty) talking and reassuring. We love you, Doc.Thanks to Dr. Kumar and Dr. James for caring for Tay. And thank you to all my friends and co-workers who came to see us, asked how she was, called, and sent flowers, treats and your love. Thanks to all of Taylor’s friends for visiting and being there when she needed you.I hope I didn’t forget anyone. Just know as a family, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all you did.Nathan Littauer Hospital is a wonderful place filled with great people. I’m proud to be part of that team.CHARMAINE D. MISKINIS, RNMayfieldhttp://www.leaderherald.com/page/content.detail/id/521240.html?showlayout=0
