Nathan Littauer and Fulmont Community Action Agency join forces to help local children and families. Posted on November 22, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeThe Fulmont Community Action Agency announced today a donation they received from Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. A check in the amount of $4,783.75 was presented to Denis E. Wilson, Sr. Executive Director/CEO of the Fulmont Community Action Agency during a short presentation at the hospital last month.Larry Kelly speaks to the crowd gathered about the importance of the Kozy Coat project. Denis Wilson Listens.Denis Wilson stated “I was moved by the exciting mood of the many Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home employees present at this event.”The project called, “Kozy Coats” is an initiative of the hospital’s Courtesy Council and it includes a basket raffle in which all proceeds are donated to Fulmont Community Action Agency, Community Services division. Twenty-six different departments each donated baskets this year. In turn, the proceeds are used to buy outerwear for local children. Last year, their efforts helped to clothe 180 children.Bob Shwajlyk presents Denis Wilson with a check. Standing left to right: Larry Kelly, Moshgan Jones, Denis Wilson, Bob Shwajlyk and Ann Black, Deputy Executive Director at FulmontSusan Kiernan, Vice President of Development stated, “It is remarkable. This is entirely an employee led initiative. And their creativity to support our community should be commended.” This year hospital employees also organized a coat donation program, gathering coats from hospital employees and arranging for their cleaning at Robinson Smith. In all, the hospital collected over 100 gently-used coats for local children.Nathan Littauer’s Kozy Coat project has raised over $35,000 since its inception in 2000. “The numbers are staggering.” said Hospital Spokesperson, Cheryl McGrattan. “The employees are beyond generous, giving large ticket items for the raffle. And they have fun doing it.” As one of the Nathan Littauer organizers Moshgan Jones said, “The proud employees of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home have touched and warned so many kids’ hearts in our community.”Denis Wilson thanked all the employees present for their giving and caring spirit in conducting the raffle once again this year. He stated that “he would like to recognize the fact that this is the 12th year the Courtesy Council has conducted this event which over the years has helped Fulmont to purchase warm outerwear for over 1,000 children in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. The partnership between the Courtesy Council and our agency has proven to be invaluable to the children that we serve every year”. xxx
Nathan Littauer combines forces with Dolbey to provide state-of-the- art clinical documentation Posted on November 22, 2011 by Dakota PikeFaster reports equates to improved patient care.Nathan Littauer has a new way to document patient diagnostic exams. “The end product will be faster imaging documentation- which in the end benefits our patients” stated Judy Cetnar, Director of Health Information Management for the hospital. She explained, “Front-end speech recognition will enable us to provide faster Diagnostic Imaging report turnaround time which leads to improved patient care. It will also decrease transcription costs for our facility.”Nathan Littauer will implement Dolbey’s Fusion Expert for front-end speech recognition and document management across their facilities and will be used by about 20 Radiologists. Susan Kiernan, Vice President of Development at the hospital notes, “This is yet one more technology advancement we have done in the interest of seamless patient care.”XXX About Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home located in Gloversville, NY. Littauer provides the finest in state-of-the-art technology and a caring, dedicated staff of health care professionals. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. The Littauer medical staff brings amazing technical expertise and competence to the residents of Fulton County and the surrounding communities.About Dolbey: Dolbey is a leader in providing dictation, transcription, speech recognition and coding solutions for healthcare in the United States and Canada. Together, Dolbey and Company, Inc. and Dolbey Systems, Inc. offer the award winning Fusion Suite™ of integrated products which is backed by the industry’s largest organization of certified professionals who assist in design, implementation and support. XXX
At Littauer a lullaby announces a new bundle of joy Posted on November 16, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHospital plays 20 seconds of Brahms Lullaby each time a baby is bornAt Nathan Littauer Hospital when Brahms’ Lullaby plays over the hospital’s loud speakers, it is a cause for celebration. In a new program started this week, when a baby is born in the hospital’s Birthing Center, Brahms’ Lullaby is broadcast throughout the hospital. “It is a good reminder to us all that miracles happen almost every day” stated Hospital Spokesperson, Cheryl McGrattan.Kelly Hartz, RN Manager of the Birthing Center is credited with starting the program.On November 2, 2011, the second day of the new initiative, guests, patients and staff were treated to three lullabies announcing three births. The hospital averages about 430 births a year. Nathan Littauer Hospital joins other hospitals across the nation adopting the lullaby program.“Unfortunately, most hospitals are associated with fear, pain and discomfort.” said Kelly Hartz, RN who is credited with starting the program. As the manager of the Birthing Center, she notes, “This program reminds people- staff included- that a hospital can also be a place of hope and promise.” The brief few measures from the German composer Johannes Brahms’ famous melody has already had a lasting effect on staff. Barbara Wilson, HR Generalist for 31 years at Nathan Littauer Hospital said she was elated to hear it explaining, “It was very uplifting and very nice to hear.” It is the first time the hospital has announced a birth in this way. Priscilla Person, who works in Diagnostic Imaging was in a patient waiting room when the first lullaby was played. She reported that the patient broke into a huge smile when she explained what the song meant. She also added, “It gives you the best warmest feeling. I think it is great.”The calming 20 seconds can be heard throughout the hospital hallways, lobbies, surgical units, laboratory, waiting rooms, cafeterias and patient rooms. When patients and visitors hear the lullaby, nearby staff explain the interruption. “I am thrilled that this has come to our facility. I think it reconnects everyone, both staff, patients and visitors, with our purpose of facilitating life changes that our patients transition through.” stated Kathie Rohrs, RN a nurse at Littauer. She concluded, “It is truly a beautiful symbolic touch that will cause us all to self reflect.”The Birthing Center At Littauer will play music when a baby is bornThe system can be overridden in the event of an emergency and music will play from 7am to 7pm. And staff and patients will definitely know when twins are born — the music will play twice in succession.
Dr. Ramani Recognized for Excellence Posted on November 16, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeDr. Ramani Receives Certificate of ExcellenceNovember, 1, 2011—Dr. Kamini Ramani was recently recognized by Mohawk Valley Medical Associates for Quality Performance as well as continued excellence in colorectal cancer screening and upper GI endoscopy. Dr. Ramani was one of only 14 groups to receive this award. Dr. Ramani is seen here with Dr. David Phelps (Medical Director of MVMA).
11.11.11 Family welcomes a little girl with a special birthday Posted on November 11, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Welcomes 11/11/11 baby!Family welcomes a little girl with a special birthdayNovember 11, 2011…It will be a unique identity for little Jazlyn Castrello whose birthday is now 11/11/11. Jennifer Castrello gave birth to the little girl at Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Birthing Center at 3:14 am this morning. This afternoon, baby, mother and father, Julio Castrello, all from Amsterdam were resting comfortably. Jazlyn is 8 pounds 7 ounces, twenty one inches long and aside from having a lucky birthday she is after all, simply beautiful.Besides being born on Veterans Day, today is a rare numerical phenomenon, 11/11/11. “Some call this the luckiest date of the century as it is the only date with identical digits and only occurs every 100 years.” stated Susan Kiernan, Hospital Vice President of Development. 11/11/11 is the ultimate palindrome date- meaning it reads the same forward as it reads backwards. She added, “We are very happy for this family. Everyone is doing very well”. Sue Kiernan concludes, “In all, we may have four 111111 babies as we are very busy in our birthing center today.”
Wellness Words November 2011 Posted on November 8, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH According to Web MD, diabetes affects more than 23 million people in the United States and is the most common disorder of the endocrine, or hormone, system. The disease occurs when blood sugar levels in the body constantly stay above normal. Diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to make insulin or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin.Type 1 diabetes occurs because the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes produce no insulin and must use insulin injections to control their blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes most commonly starts in individuals under the age of 20, but can occur at any age. The symptoms include:Increased thirstIncreased hunger (especially after eating)Dry mouthFrequent urinationUnexplained weight lossFatigueBlurred visionLabored, heavy breathingLoss of consciousnessWith Type 2 diabetes, the body continues to produce insulin. However, this insulin is either not enough or the body is unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly. This keeps the glucose from entering the body’s cells. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes and affects almost 18 million Americans. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in individuals over the age of 40 who are overweight, but it can occur in individuals who are not overweight. The disease has also recently appeared more often in children. The symptoms of Type 2 include:Slow-healing sores or cutsItching of the skinYeast infectionsRecent weight gainNumbness or tingling of the hands and feetImpotence or erectile dysfunctionIncreased thirstIncreased urinationIncreased hungerBlurred visionThe link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes is very clear. Therefore, individuals can greatly reduce their chance of developing the disease by slimming down if they are overweight. This is especially true for individuals who have a family history of diabetes. Studies have shown that exercise and a healthy diet can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes in individuals who have impaired glucose tolerance, which is a condition that develops prior to Type 2 diabetes. Medications have also been shown to provide similar benefits. Medications have been used to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes for individuals with pre-diabetes conditions.There are also practices that individuals with diabetes can do to assist themselves in managing the disease. Exercise and a nutritionally balanced diet have also been shown to benefit individuals who already have diabetes. Exercise and a well balanced diet can greatly limit the effects of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes on the body. Stopping smoking is one of the best ways to help prevent the damaging effects of diabetes. Smoking dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, particularly for individuals with diabetes.If you do smoke, consider joining us in the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 17, when millions of Americans will quit smoking for at least 24 hours. Free ‘quit tips’ will be available at HealthLink and Nathan Littauer Hospital, including information on local quit smoking services, the N.Y.S. Smokers’ Quitline, and how to get free nicotine replacement therapy.For more information, contact your health care provider, Littauer’s Diabetes Center of Excellence at 773-5425, 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.
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.
