Lactation consultant and counselors at Littauer strive to increase breast feeding rates locally

Nancy Quinlan, RN, and Lactation Consultant works with a new breast feeding mother, Nicole VanNostrand and her baby Chloe.

Nathan Littauer Hospital is joining the International Lactation Consultant Association in celebrating IBCLC Day on March 7, 2012. This year’s theme “IBCLCs Make an Impact” highlights how the expertise of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) can make a difference in the health and well being of children and their mothers. Nathan Littauer has one lactation consultant and 4 lactation counselors, more than any other hospital in the region. Nancy Quinlan, RN and IBCLC has been employed at Nathan Littauer for two years. She explains, “I have chosen to be a lactation consultant because I truly believe it makes a lasting impact, from birth and beyond.”

IBCLCs have years of training and continuing study to enable them to inform, assist and support women during pregnancy, early days after birth and as the baby grows including: getting off to a good start with breastfeeding, continuing to breastfeed after returning to work or school, breastfeeding a premature or sick infant, and preventing and managing challenges that might occur. Kelly Hartz, the manager of Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center explains, “Our Lactation Consultant and counselors are the very definition of supportive. They call patients at home, come in to help struggling mothers on their day off and hold free weigh-ins for nursing moms so that they can monitor their success. It really is a process and our lactation consultants are there every step of the way for our moms.” Nancy agrees noting, “Anything I can do to support a mom, I will.”

“The process to become an IBCLC is very rigorous. For example, Nancy must recertify her credentials every five years and take the entire exam over again every ten years. It is a serious process meant for only those who are very committed to breast feeding support.” states Kelly Hartz. Adding “And Nancy’s expertise and passion will intimately benefit our entire region.”

Nancy Quinlan, a Board Certified Lactation Consultant left and Laureen Steenburg, a licensed practical nurse and lactation counselor work to promote breastfeeding at Littauer.

According to Cathy Carothers, President of the International Lactation Consultant Association, “How an infant is fed can have a lifelong impact on their health. Mother’s milk helps develop a strong immune system that can respond to fight off infections. Nancy Quinlan states, “Breast milk is like liquid gold!” The rising incidence of obesity and diabetes will have a major impact on health, and both these conditions are more likely to develop in children and in mothers when babies are not breastfed. IBCLCs make an impact on the quality of breastfeeding care provided by health services where they are employed and thus an impact for children and mothers.”

There are currently more than 25,000 IBCLCs in 90 countries worldwide who are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (www.iblce.org) under the direction of the U.S. National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is the professional association for IBCLCs and other health care professionals who care for breastfeeding families. ILCA’s mission is to advance the profession of lactation consulting worldwide through leadership, advocacy, professional development, and research. Nancy concludes, “I want mothers to know that this is a unique gift they can give their child.”

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For more information about ILCA, visit the website at www.ilca.org For more information about lactation consulting at Nathan Littauer please visit our website at ww.nlh.org

Nathan Littauer credits their smart technology plan over the last five years for its recent technology accomplishment: a CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) incentive. “This is a major milestone and we are thrilled to be one of the first hospitals in the state to reach this level of electronic competency” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO. Nathan Littauer is one of only five hospitals to receive an incentive payment. The NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment program funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is designed to help defray the costs of installing and using electronic medical records to track, manage and follow their patients. The program was created by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and offers healthcare providers financial incentives for implementing and demonstrating meaningful use of an EHR system. “Littauer started upgrading our medical records system long before this program came into fruition. It is great to know we built a world-class system.” stated Mr. Kelly. Littauer’s electronic health record system meets a certain federal standard to qualify as technologies that have “meaningful use”. Mr. Kelly added, “We are part of a nationwide effort to modernize healthcare information technology because it is efficient and can control healthcare costs. But in the end it is THE PATIENT who benefits the most.”According to a report issued by the federal government on January 5, 2012 only 5 hospitals in New York have received the monies. “To our knowledge,” stated Mr. Kelly, “we are one of the few hospitals in the region to receive payments.”

Nathan Littauer is an early adopter of technology

Meaningful use is defined by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) as “The use of certified electronic records in a meaningful manner such as prescribing, the submission of clinical quality measures and the exchange of health information to improve the quality of health care.” It is not an easy journey for any hospital. “Electronic Records Systems are very expensive to purchase and require a tremendous amount of man-hours to transition staff and physicians.” explained Marty Brown, Littauer’s Chief Information Officer. Mr. Brown said, “It is one thing to have the technology, it is quite another to use the technology in a highly pressurized situation like in our Emergency Department.” Mr. Brown reports that all departments are using the technology. The meaningful use payments are helping the hospital to defray the costs associated with adoption of the system.

“Over the last five years Nathan Littauer has invested over 5 million dollars in our technology” Mr. Brown said. Adding, “While this payment helps, it also affirms that we are definitely going in the right direction.” Mr. Brown explains that his staff has spent numerous hours with physicians and providers to make sure they are at ease with the system. “While it was tedious work, we were driven by the fact that our patients ultimately benefit.”

EHR adoption incentives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are offered to physicians, providers, and hospitals until 2015, after which the federal government may levy penalties for failing to adopt electronic health records.

Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan is not surprised by the distinction stating, “Nathan Littauer has always been an early adopter of technology, electronic health records included.” Recently, the hospital also hosted a conference for electronic medical record users. “People from all over the country came to learn from our team.” She explained, “It was very gratifying.”

The organization credits its success on a communicative interdisciplinary team which continually strives for seamless patient care. “This is a real testament to the quality of the staff that we have at the hospital.” Mr. Brown concluded, “We strive for a single patient chart throughout our system so our team in the hospital, outpatient care centers, nursing home, and Emergency Department are all working from the same record with the same patient information. That’s really important for assuring quality patient care in a multi-facility healthcare system like ours.”

Slate of medical leaders elected to lead hospital

The physicians at Nathan Littauer Hospital elected Mike McBiles MD, as the new chief of staff of the 74-bed facility. McBiles took over as head of the physician team on Jan. 1, 2012. During his two-year term, he will serve as medical staff liaison to hospital administrative staff and its board of directors. In doing so, he will be playing a key role in directing health care services improvements to the thousands of patients cared for annually at the hospital.

Dr. McBiles elected Chief of Staff

Dr. McBiles said he plans to continue the good work of the previous Chief of Staff, Dr. Paul Perrault. Dr. McBiles said, “One of my top priorities is to improve physician communications.” He added, “I am thrilled to be working with such an outstanding roster of physicians during such a pivotal time for the hospital.” Dr. McBiles noted that he will provide medical staff input into the many expansion and renovation projects under way on the hospital’s campus and in their primary care network.

The following medical personnel were also elected to the following chairs: Vice Chief of Staff ~ Robert Brandis, MD, Secretary/Treasurer ~ Richard Solby, DO, Credentials Chairperson ~ Todd Duthaler, DO; Lab Director ~ Jungeun Lee, MD MD; Chief of OB-GYN ~ Andrew Samach, MD; Chief of Medicine- Shriraj Shah, MD; Chief of Surgery ~ Nicholas Filippone, MD Diagnostic Imaging Director: Mike McBiles, MD and Chief of Pediatrics- Lawrence Horowitz, DO.

In particular, Dr. McBiles has been a member of the medical staff at Nathan Littauer Hospital since 2005 and has held numerous medical staff leadership positions throughout the nation. Most notably he served as the Chief of Radiology for the country’s largest military base, Brooke Army Medical Center. He attended New York Medical College and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Nuclear Medicine Residency at Letterman Army Medical Center, Radiology Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center. He is Board Certified by American Boards of Internal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine and Radiology. “Dr. McBiles’ strong leadership skills and vision make him an excellent choice to be Chief of Staff,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frederick Goldberg. “The hospital and the medical staff will be positioned to work more effectively together with Dr. McBiles serving in this pivotal role,” Dr. Goldberg remarked.

He began his military career as a member of a highly- elite nuclear response team. It was there where he developed a keen respect for the science of nuclear and radiological technologies. He explained that after seeing the devastation of nuclear accidents he wanted to use the same technology to heal people. And “healing” is how many of his co-workers and patients describe him. Vice President of Development Susan Kiernan knows first-hand about his caring demeanor and his medical expertise having been under his care. She explains, “Dr. McBiles is highly approachable and knowledgeable- it is a very wonderful mix of talents.” She added, “Simply put, he is a huge asset to our community.”

In his spare time, Dr. McBiles enjoys music, hiking, gardening, woodworking and church activities.

Peer-to-peer medical information technology meeting

Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012

Place: Nathan Littauer Hospital

Nathan Littauer has been chosen to host and teach at a gathering of national medical technologists at an upcoming MUSE International event. Littauer staff will be addressing pertinent issues affecting both clinical and financial operations relating to Medical Information Technology. Electronic medical records and MEDITECH is the standard most hospitals use in their medical information systems and it is used in health care organizations throughout the world. This enables health care providers to track a patient’s history and/or monitor ongoing treatment of chronic health problems. Providers are afforded immediate access to patients’ medical records, which can be used to devise treatments. Moshgan Jones, an International Board Member of MUSE International and Littauer’s Senior Clinical Analyst states, “Meetings like this allow us to exchange information and ideas from peers from around the nation.” She added, “It is all about better patient care.”

The presentations at Littauer will feature a unique ‘hands-on’ experience that begins by registering a test patient and then following it through the multiple steps and how interdepartmental communications have been solved. Alicia Roberts, Director of Education and Marketing at MUSE explains, “We’re so thrilled that Nathan Littauer is hosting this unique event. It provides a wonderful opportunity for our members to interact and share tips, tricks and experiences with one another. As healthcare IT improvement has become a top priority during the last few years, it’s even more valuable to be able to provide this program.”

Two tracks are being offered. Track One will be Healthcare Trends and the Revenue Cycle and the second will address The Fully Integrated EMR (Electronic Medical Record). The session will also include roundtable discussions. Facilitated by Littauer’s staff Ron Kilmer, Patient Services Manager and Moshgan Jones, Senior Clinical Analyst Nathan Littauer presenters will include:

• Dr. Todd Duthaler, Chief of Emergency Medicine
• Robert Stankes, Chief Pharmacist
• Diane Graudons, MIS MEDITECH support of financial
• Stacey Palmer, Registration manager, ADM & SCH
• Judy Cetnar, Manager HIM, ABS
• Gus Sacerio, Manager PFS, BAR
• Martin Brown, Chief Information Officer
• Tara Kean, Director Blood Bank
• Georgeanna Dubois, Clinical Application Coordinator

The organization presenting the conference is the Medical Users Software Exchange (MUSE). The group is a community of MEDITECH users and related professionals who interact to learn and share their knowledge and experience. Through MUSE, members network, solve problems, identify best practices, and improve performance for their organizations. They endeavor to be the leading source of networking and education for professionals using the MEDITECH system. In 1983, a small group of users met to discuss issues related to their MEDITECH healthcare information system. The meeting was productive and it was determined that the creation of a user group, – and regular meetings – would be beneficial. So began the Medical Users Software Exchange, or MUSE. Now with hundreds of hospitals worldwide, MUSE is growing.

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Nathan Littauer announced today that Baby Janessa Rose Richards was the first baby born at Nathan Littauer Hospital in the New Year. Mother Miranda Cooper welcomed little Janessa on January 5, 2012 at 4:56pm. She weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 inches from head to toe. Dr. Samach delivered baby Janessa. This is Miranda’s first child.

Littauer welcomed the first baby of 2012 today. The Auxiliary presented mom with a huge gift basket to mark the occasion.

Littauer’s Auxiliary presented the mother with a huge basket, adorned with baby gifts- from handmade blankets to gift certificates. “The Auxiliary puts a tremendous amount of thought into the Baby New Year Basket. Co-Chairs Anita Moore and Anita Beck love doing this project and they even include a special gift for Mom, too. What the mother leaves with is really a gift of the heart while being extremely practical as well.” stated Sue McNeil, Director of Volunteer Services at Nathan Littauer.

Both Mom and baby are resting comfortably at the Birthing Center.

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Caption for photo:

The Auxiliary presents Littauer’s New Years Baby with a basket. From left to right: Anita Moore, Jeanne Wilkinson, and Susan McNeil Director of Volunteer Services, Grace Naselli, Anita Beck and Patty Franco. Mother Miranda Richards hold baby Janessa.

Doctors across New York will award Nathan Littauer Hospital $100,000

Gloversville, NY… State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., recently announced that Nathan Littauer Hospital is one of five health care providers in New York State to be awarded a grant of $100,000 over two years to support physicians who practice medicine in underserved communities through the “Doctors Across New York” Program. “We appreciate the Doctors Across New York Program as we continue our quest to bring qualified specialists to the residents in our area.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Littauer’s President and CEO adding, “The program is essential for areas like Fulton County.”

The hospital added urologist Dr. Paul Husson to their rolls in August of last year. As one of the only Urologists in the region he is already very busy. The Doctors Across New York Program is a critical program to help ensure that New Yorkers in every community in the State have access to high-quality health care services,” Commissioner Shah said in a release. “These grants will help these institutions increase access to vital health care services in rural and urban areas.”

The Doctors Across New York Program awards funding to support recruitment and retention of physicians in underserved areas. Physicians participating in Doctors Across New York make a multi-year service commitment to practice in an underserved area in the State.

Doctors Across New York is a state-funded initiative enacted in 2008 to help train and place physicians in underserved communities in a variety of settings and specialties to care for New York’s diverse population. According to the NYSDOH, it is estimated that 25 percent of New Yorkers live in medically-underserved areas, and many communities lack physicians who can provide specialty medicine in areas such as Urology.

Nathan Littauer Hospital states that they are planning on conducting outreach activities for Dr. Husson so that people who are suffering with Urology issues can get the answers and treatment they need. “Many people are silent about urology issues -allowing it to deeply impact their quality of life. We want to change that.” stated Cheryl Mcgrattan Hospital Spokesperson.

“We are devotees of preventative medicine used in conjunction with medical specialties. Therefore, this was a great holiday gift.” stated Mr. Kelly.