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.
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.
Nathan Littauer Teams Up With Survivor Corps Posted on June 11, 2021June 11, 2021 by Dakota PikeSurvivor Corps is one of the largest and fastest growing grassroots movements connecting, supporting, educating, motivating and mobilizing COVID-19 Survivors to support all medical, scientific and academic research, help stem the tide of this pandemic and assist in the national recovery.Nathan Littauer Hospital listed as one of the few COVID recovery programs offered in New York State, as seen on survivorcorps.comWith the launch of Nathan Littauer’s new COVID Recovery Program, the healthcare organization is working with Survivor Corps, and is now listed as a resource on their website for those who may be suffering from Long COVID.The new Nathan Littauer COVID Recovery Program is designed for people experiencing Long COVID symptoms for weeks and even months after having the virus. Our network of specialists along with a series of support groups and wellness classes, can help speed up your recovery.
Littauer Lights the Way to Accessible Healthcare Posted on June 9, 2021June 10, 2021 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital Celebrates Opening of Caroga Lake Primary CareNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is proud to announce the opening of the organization’s new Caroga Lake Primary Care Center in Caroga, NY. 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. Now as a standalone structure for the people of Caroga, the organization is proudly continuing its healthcare services in a new center. “We look forward to meeting new patients in the area,” says Alison Townsend, Physician Assistant with Nathan Littauer. “We provide an invaluable service to the community members here, and I think our patients are really grateful for that.”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.Nathan Littauer’s new Caroga Lake Primary Care Center.“It is exciting to work with Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home in our commitment to the community,” said Supervisor of Town of Caroga Scott Horton. “This new Caroga Lake Primary Care Center is a boon, and it shows that the area of our town continues to grow. In turn, so is its need for great healthcare services.”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.Nathan Littauer Hospital invites the members of its community, and the people of the Town of Caroga, to celebrate the Primary Care Center’s opening June 24, 2021. From 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Nathan Littauer will host a “drive-thru open house,” where members of the public will get a glimpse of the new center, and receive a free gift, while supplies last!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.
Littauer Physician’s Work with COVID Draws International Attention Posted on May 27, 2021May 27, 2021 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is proud to announce the Medical Director of the healthcare organization’s Hospitalist program, Devjit Roy, MD, has an article accepted for publication with the prestigious British Medical Journal. Roy is one of the authors of the article. “We’re extremely proud Dr. Roy received the recognition he deserves for his work,” says Littauer’s Chief Medical Officer Frederick Goldberg. “The research findings in Treatment of unexplained coma and hypokinetic-rigid syndrome in a patient with COVID-19 provides greater understanding of COVID’s complexity. His work may shape future treatments and clinical approaches for people with COVID.”The study follows a patient suffering from severe complications of COVID. The patient experienced encephalopathy (damage or disease which affects the brain), hypokinetic rigid syndrome (the decreased and slowed movements similar to Parkinson’s disease), and severe cognitive impairment.“Some may call the patient’s recovery a miracle,” says Dr. Roy. “But, on the scientific level there’s much more at work. This specific patient in our study was suffering from, not only the negative effects of the virus, but from prolonged hospitalization and being on a ventilator. It was likely this patient was not going to make it.”We are learning, infection complications from COVID vary from person to person. Some positive with the disease feel little to no symptoms. For others, it can ravage their health and respiratory system completely, requiring intubation and placement on a ventilator. Numerous symptoms of the disease suggest even long-term neurological involvement and complications. Proving more challenging, there is little to no literature to describe neurophysiological cognitive state and treatment of patients in the post-intensive care unit (ICU).Moreover, the patient in Dr. Roy’s study began experiencing depleted dopamine stores in the brain due to long-term use of anesthetics to keep the patient breathing on the ventilator, without the risk of erratic or inconsistent breathing patterns. This results in preserved consciousness, tremors, and intact eye movements.“This patient was at risk of not making it,” explained Dr. Roy. “We needed to act fast. So, we tried an approach that was scientifically supported, and it worked. It was very successful.”Dr. Roy and his care team immediately began treating the patient with Modafinil (used to treat narcolepsy) and Carbidopa-Levodopa (used to treat Parkinson’s disease). These medications have been shown to improve and accelerate functional recovery and sleep-wake cycles.Within just a few days, the patient was awake, alert, and began showing increased movement of their body. After the first week of treatment, the patient was weaned from ventilator usage, able to communicate meaningfully, and demonstrated increased mobility. When the patient was medically stable for discharge and rehabilitation, the patient continued their medication regiment and showed overall signs of improvement. The patient was discharged home after a month of acute rehabilitation.“This study is very meaningful to me,” Dr. Roy adds. “Not much was known about COVID at the time – there still isn’t,” Dr. Roy adds. “Nobody would’ve imagined this crisis to happen when it did, and for it to have put such a strain on hospitals, our healthcare systems, and our country. But it did. Yet, we have responded in the best way possible – get more information, understand more about the virus, and find answers. And we are actively doing that.”Medical Director of Littauer’s Hospitalist program, Devjit Roy, MDTo read the full article, visit: https://casereports.bmj.com/content/14/3/e239781.full?ijkey=KCNlkQBsWbMgeuJ&keytype=ref
