MediSys Network News

A Bowl Victory for Flushing Hospital OB/GYN

Flushing Hospital's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is proud to announce third-year resident, Dr. Jorge Aranda took first place in this year's Queens Obstetrical and Gynecological Society's Residents' Day Bowl and Symposium.  Resident physicians from hospitals across Queens participated in this academic tournament, which is fashioned after television's game-show, Jeopardy.

We would like to congratulate Dr.Jorge Aranda for his victory and his efforts in representing Flushing Hospital.

Flushing Hospital Celebrates Women's Heritage Month By Highlighting Women's Health

In honor of Women's Heritage Month, Flushing Hospital Medical Center teamed up with the YWCA of Queens, The Rainbow Center and The Korean American Family Service Center to present a "Community Health Fair for Women" on Saturday, March 10. The fair offered an array of workshops and topics all related to women's health issues.

FHMC also provided free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings on site. With over 150 people in attendance Flushing was able to educate women about the value of regular health screenings.

Empowering Our Community - Sickle Cell Educational Video

Brookdale’s Comprehensive/Community Based Sickle Cell Program promotes Care, Education, Outreach, and Advocacy.  “Empowering our Community; Sickle Cell Education in Brooklyn”, the program’s second educational DVD is making its debut this month. It contains an introduction to sickle cell disease and discusses facts about it, including its prevalence in Brooklyn among people of African descent, although it can be found in all ethnic groups. 

Sickle cell disease in an inherited disorder of red blood cells. The red blood cells become sickle shaped due to a switch in the amino acids that make up hemoglobin.  These sickled cells accumulate in the blood vessels and can lead to reduced blood flow and blockages, which can result in severe recurrent pain, tissue damage, strokes and organ damage.

“Empowering our Community; Sickle Cell Education in Brooklyn” showcases the work of Brookdale’s Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Program and the Brooklyn Community Based-Sickle Cell Project, a program in partnership with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center, Interfaith Medical Center, Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center and Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Inc.  The DVD details the history of the program, highlighting its objectives; the importance of newborn screening and follow-up, education and outreach.  It encourages those at risk for sickle cell disease to seek screening and counseling services and raises community awareness of sickle cell disease and trait. 

What to do When the Press Shows Up: When to Contact Public Affairs

Have you ever been contacted by the media for an interview?  Have you ever seen a person with a camera walking, unescorted through the hospital? Have you seen someone "interviewing" a patient in a room and taking notes? If you have answered yes to any of these questions then this information is for you. And even if you have not had any experience with the media as it relates to your job, this information is also for you. That is because the media is always looking for news and will sometimes go to great lengths to get it.

As you know, the media is frequently interested in stories about our patients or what goes on at our facilities and we have a responsibility to protect the privacy of our patients and reputation of our staff and facilities and that is where the Department of Public Affairs comes in.

The MediSys Health Network prides itself on presenting an image of professionalism while complying with state and federal laws, all while protecting the confidentiality and privacy wishes of our patients. Therefore it is imperative that the Department of Public Affairs be immediately contacted in the event that any employee is asked to take part in an interview on MediSys grounds or pertaining to MediSys business, or if any media is trying to speak with any of our patients on hospital property.

With a great deal of experience in dealing with all forms of media in both the crisis communications and general news or documentary areas, Public Affairs will work with all involved parties to ensure that MediSys facilities and staff are not only accurately depicted, but also adheres to the strict HIPAA regulations.

In addition , if you see anyone with a camera or someone who is trying to interview patients or staff who is not in the company of a Public Affairs staff member, you should immediately contact your Security Department and also contact the Public Affairs Department at 718-206-6020.

If you are contacted by a member of the media for an interview or story idea, take the pertinent information from the reporter or producer such as their name, organization and story or patient that they are interested in and tell them that someone from the Public Affairs Department will call them back, then call Public Affairs at the above number. If you have any story ideas or questions you can also contact Public Affairs at that number during regular business hours.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Disaster Preparedness Training Available to MediSys Employees

MediSys Health Network is proud to have been designated as the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) Regional Training Center.  National Disaster Life Support is a nationally recognized training program established by the American Medical Association, the sponsoring and continuing medical education (CME) accrediting organization for this initiative.  NDLS’s goal is to provide basic information and practical skills that all health and safety workers need to competently respond to an intentional or naturally occurring disaster.  The NDLS courses emphasize a comprehensive all hazards approach to deal with catastrophic emergencies from acts of terrorism as well as natural disasters, explosions, fires and public health emergencies resulting from infectious disease outbreaks. 

The components of the NDLS program include Core, Basic, and Advanced Disaster Life Support courses.  MediSys Health Network developed a cadre of more than 40 instructors made up of physicians, registered nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians from across the Network.

Brookdale’s OB Chairman Addresses HPV Controversy

“Should the HPV vaccine which helps prevent cervical cancer be mandatory?” was the topic of Brookdale’s OB/GYN Chairman, Dr. Mark Spitzer’s interview on WABC News Now on February 20^th. 

ABC News Medical Editor, Dr. Tim Johnson inquired as to Dr. Spitzer’s perspective on legislation currently being addressed by individual states making it mandatory for girls under the age of 12 to be inoculated with the HPV vaccine to protect them against the sexually transmitted form of cervical cancer.

Dr. Spitzer stated that "for the vaccine to be effective it must be given to a girl before she becomes sexually active and exposed to the virus."  The risk factor method proved ineffective with the Hepatitis vaccine therefore, the solution is to vaccinate everyone.  However, parents would still have the option to opt-out of having their daughter vaccinated.

Thanks to the Vaccines for Children Program, Brookdale will be able to provide inoculations to eligible uninsured females between the ages of 9 and 19 who cannot afford this potentially life saving vaccine.

Growing By Leaps and Bounds, New Trump Pavilion Construction Given the Green Light

MediSys is set to take a leap into the future of Nursing and Rehabilitation care. After a lengthy and frustrating process, the new Nursing Home Project was finally begun on Friday, February 16, 2007.

The current Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home Co., Inc., started to build its reputation as one of the finest nursing and rehabilitation centers in January 1975. The 204 bed facility serves Queens and the surrounding communities, providing short and long-term stays for individuals requiring 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation..