MediSys Network News

CARE-ing Doula Program at JHMC Seeks Volunteers

The Department of Volunteer Services at Jamaica Hospital, in conjunction with the Palliative Care Consultation Service, is seeking volunteers for its new initiative titled, “The CARE-ing Doula Program.” The Comfort, Advocacy, and Respect at End of Life Palliative Care Program uses trained volunteers to provide identified patients and their family, caregiver, or significant other with companionship, comfort, advocacy and education at the end of life.

“The program supports the purpose of Jamaica’s Palliative Care service, which is to provide care and support at the time of a life threatening diagnosis, as well as, to educate patients and families about the options they have in making choices and decisions in regards to their personal care and medical treatment,” said Arlene Martin, Director of Volunteer Services. 

Patients who are determined to have a life expectancy of less than one year and/or are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness will qualify for “The CARE-ing Doula Program.” 

Under the program guidelines, the designated patients and their family, caregiver or significant other, will be visited by a CARE-ing Doula volunteer. Through visitation and personal contact, the volunteer will provide companionship in a culturally sensitive, nonjudgmental manner during the patient’s hospital stay at life’s end. 

Training for “The CARE-ing Doula Program" requires that volunteers participate in a 20-hour training course.  For further information about volunteering for “The CARE-ing Doula Program,” contact Ms. Martin at (718)206-6000 x4078.

Flushing Hospital Receives Grant to Fund Geriatric Mental Health Program

Flushing Hospital Medical Center was awarded a five-year, $1.25 million demonstration grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health to develop an integrated mental health--physical health service for Ambulatory Care Center patients over the age of 65.

The service will consist of a multi-lingual staff, competent in Spanish, Korean, and Chinese, and will use successful aging and behavioral self-management concepts and practices to achieve the grant’s objectives. These include: increasing access to mental health care for individuals 65 and over, while de-stigmatizing mental illness for this age group, improving physical health, and, ultimately, integrating screenings, assessments, and treatments for mental disorders into primary geriatric-care.

The program is the first step for Flushing Hospital to become A Center for Life Style Medicine, an expression of The Agavé Project for Successful Aging. The Center will promote successful aging for all individuals and families and encourage self-efficacy, social support, diet, exercise, and the pursuit of mental challenges.

In addition, the Center will help Flushing health care providers and support staff learn for themselves, and teach patients, behavioral self-management techniques that prevent and manage chronic conditions that shorten life and interfere with longevity.

Flushing Hospital was one of the six facilities in the state to win the grant.

“We are extremely excited about the grant and the development of the geriatric mental health program,” said Dr. Ira Frankel, Administrator for the Psychiatry and Addiction Services. “We hope to use this program as a springboard to strengthen our integration of physical health and mental health services for all individuals at all stages of the life cycle.”

Advanced Center Celebrates 50 Years of Fine Service

On February 7, 1958 the Advanced Center for Psychotherapy (ACP), originally named the Jamaica Center for Psychotherapy was established on Wexford Terrace in Jamaica Estates.  Fifty years later, the Advanced Center is proud to mark five decades of dedication to the mental health needs of the community.

ACP was founded by Joseph LeBoit, a psychologist with scholarly and humanitarian interests in the revolutionary concept of psychoanalysis.  Mr. LeBoit opened the Jamaica clinic with a vision to provide a family centered, people-centered approach to mental health services in an affordable community based setting.  Following many years of prosperity, and the addition of a second office in Forest Hills, the Advanced Center fell on hard times after the retirement of Mr. LeBoit.  Thankfully, in 2000, Dr. Seeth Vivik, Chairman of Psychiatry and Anthony Maffia, VP of Psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital were looking to expand the hospital's psychiatric department. Under their guidance and management, ACP found new life.

Brookdale Experiences Renaissance with Addition of DaVinci

Brookdale has once again displayed its commitment to providing the most advanced healthcare to the community by acquiring the DaVinci S HD Surgical System.  The first of its kind in Brooklyn, DaVinci virtually extends the surgeon’s eyes and hands into the surgical field and is designed to perform complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach. 

  In a ceremony attended by members of the Hospital’s Administration, Board of Trustees and Medical Staff as well dignitaries including Congressman Ed Towns, State Senator Karl Kruger Assembly members Nick Perry and Alan Maisel and various other community officials, Borough President Marty Markowitz welcomed this state-of-the-art robotic technology to its new home - Brookdale’s O.R. Suite 1. 

Dr. Frederick A. Gulmi, Chairman and Program Director of the Department of Urology and Director of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery at Brookdale demonstrated his dexterity with this new technology by having the robot cut the ceremonial red ribbon.

DaVinci S HD is a remarkable improvement over conventional laparoscopy and is designed to help the   surgeon transcend the limitations of conventional laparoscopic surgical techniques.  The preciseness of fine-tissue manipulation of this system enables the surgeon to perform delicate procedures such as a prostatectomy with minimally invasive surgery.

“I am honored to be the first surgeon at Brookdale who will operate with this technology”, stated Dr. Frederick A. Gulmi.  “Our patients will definitely benefit from this technology by experiencing less post-op pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery.”

The highly skilled and trained Operating Room Robotics team will also eventually be working with Brookdale’s general surgeons and gynecologists to perform thoracic, general gynecological surgery, urogynecology and gynecological oncology procedures.

Jamaica Hospital Upgrades to 64-Slice CT Scanner

On February 8, the Department of Radiology and General Electric (GE) officially unveiled Jamaica Hospital’s newly installed 64- Slice CT Scanner--the latest non-invasive imaging system--in front of approximately 30 employees, including Mr. Flanz, JHMC's Executive Vice President and COO.

“We are very excited because there was a great need for this machine in the Radiology Department," said  Russell Smith, Administrative Director, Radiology. "We were using a much older scanner and facing many challenges that are now eliminated with the use of this state-of-the-art equipment.”

The new CT scanner has the ability to perform much more complex imaging examinations and will allow technologists to perform quicker and more accurate scans. The scanner can perform a head scan in less than four seconds and a chest CT in less than ten seconds (one breath hold). The speed of the scanner minimizes motion, a major challenge associated with older CT scanners, and because the slices are much thinner than before, clearer images are produced.

The computer and software technology are also much more powerful, which allows for quicker manipulation of images and data for the Radiologist. The software even produces pictures in 3D. 

“We really wanted something that would complement the Cardiology Department, especially since the scanner can be used to provide detailed images of the coronary vessels for patients with heart disease. We wanted to offer our patients a possible alternative to invasive testing,” he added.

The 64-Slice CT Scanner can also be used for patients undergoing reconstructive facial surgeries and orthopedic procedures.

First Pediatric Cardiology Reunion at Jamaica Hospital

While some employees spent Valentine’s Day giving or receiving heart-shaped boxes of chocolate or flowers, Dr. Jayendra R. Sharma, Director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Jamaica Hospital, spent his day with dozens of children whose hearts he has literally touched.

Dr. Sharma and his former and present pediatric cardiology patients, along with employees from the Department of OB/GYN and Cardiology, gathered for music, food, and games at the hospital’s first Pediatric Cardiology Reunion.

“The reunion was organized as a way to bring all of my patients together and present them with the opportunity to interact with each other and share their experiences,” said Dr. Sharma. “The event showed them that there are other children going through similar issues where they have to monitor their level of physical activity and watch their eating habits.”

Gina Alvarez, 18 years old, came from Ecuador eight years ago to have heart surgery. She spoke at the reunion and touched the hearts of all who were there.

“Dr. Sharma has been more than a doctor, he’s been a father figure and a friend to me,” she said. “He cares about me and how I’m doing in life. He always asks to see my report card and even helped me with one of my science projects.”

All invited children have had open heart surgery or catheter mediated interventions with devices for heart abnormalities and meet with Dr. Sharma for regular follow-up sessions, depending on their individual health.

“Life long follow-up is vital and extremely important to children with structural heart defects. We monitor them through adulthood and work with their adult cardiologist to anticipate any potential problems” explained Dr. Sharma.

Dr. Sharma and his staff treat eight to ten complex heart defects every year, in addition to numerous smaller structural defects of the heart, including atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and coarctation.

Flushing Hospital Places Second for Infection Prevention Initiative, Also Develops Skin Team

In an effort to decrease hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, the Departments of Medicine, Nursing, and Infection Control at Flushing Hospital have decided to work together to ensure that hospitalized patients are receiving high quality care.

Last Fall, 16 employees participated in the "Infection Prevention Quality Coach Program", a collaborative organized by the Greater New York Hospital Association and 1199SEUI. Flushing Hospital's infection control storyboard ranked second among the many initiatives presented by hospitals from across the area.  As a sign of appreciation, a special luncheon was provided to the hospital’s infection prevention team for their efforts.

The initiative included prevention practices related to hand hygiene, health care worker immunizations, and environmental cleanliness.

“We are extremely excited about this program and truly understand that in order to decrease hospital acquired conditions, everyone has to be a champion for infection control,” explained Judy Fine, Director of Infection Control at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals.

And the effort is truly catching on at Flushing.

Seminar for Respiratory Therapists Held at Jamaica Hospital

On February 1, the Respiratory Care Department, in conjunction with Respironics Corporation, held a seminar titled, “Advances in Noninvasive Ventilation in Acute Care: Application and Technique,” for Respiratory Therapists from Jamaica, Flushing, and Brookdale Hospitals, as well as other local hospitals.

The seminar, held at Jamaica Hospital, provided participants with information on common trends in non-invasive mechanical ventilation and the use of non-invasive ventilation in Palliative Care. Participants learned about other ways to assist patients who cannot breathe on their own. Instead of intubation, an invasive method that uses a tube to directly deliver air to patients, they were shown how to use a mask, or similar device, to get air to the patient’s upper airway. Demonstrations, handouts, and visual aids were to educate participants.

The seminar generated an overwhelming turnout, with approximately 70 therapists in attendance.

Jamaica Hospital Celebrates National Blood Donor Month

On January 15, 2008, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center joined blood centers across the nation to celebrate National Blood Donor Month.  Every January provides an opportunity to encourage individuals to donate blood or pledge to give blood at a time of the year when it is typically in short supply due to the holidays, inclement weather, and illness.

This year’s event was sponsored by the Department of Human Resources. One hundred and forty-one prospective donors turned out for this year’s event and one hundred twenty-six units of blood were collected to help save the lives of hundreds in need.  The success of this event came as a result of the extraordinary recruitment efforts by members of the HR department.

Congratulations to the entire HR staff, the individual departments involved in the preparation, and those who made monetary contributions for the purchase of raffle prizes. A special heartfelt thank you also goes out to all our donor heroes for their “Gift of Life”.

For a schedule of upcoming blood drives contact the Blood Bank at (718) 206-6660.