The Valley Stream Long Island Jewish hospital didn’t always have the best reputation. Arlene Macchio, a reoccurring patient at the hospital, said her husband and sister nearly talked her out of going there for her third back surgery.
But her expectations were dramatically turned upside down for the better. “I couldn’t believe it. From the time of admitting to the time I left there, the nurses couldn’t be more helpful. You would think I was a part of their family…They were there for me every minute…They held my hand when they knew I was scared.”
LIJV is now one of the first hospitals in the Northeast to receive the Joint Commission Advanced Certification for orthopedics, becoming one of the top orthopedic hospitals on Long Island. Chair of Orthopedics, Dr. James Germano, says the award is given out because of the hospitals “above-standard of care.” In 2018, Germano came on as chief of osteoplasty service, working continuously with administration and other surgeons to bring in new patients and reach a new level in orthopedic treatment. To receive the award, the hospital had to apply and wait for a surveyor from the Joint Commission to come view them over the course of two to three days.
There, they tracked the patients, and the surveyor found that the hospital not only met but exceeded their standards. Doctors and patients alike point to the dedication of the staff and the new resources made available when the hospital was bought by Northwell, leading to a one-eighty change in reputation and quality of treatment. Dr. Germano says when he came to the LIJV the goal of becoming a great orthopedic hospital was in the works. He explains how the switch in ownership made that possible.
“Initially, this was a small community hospital with not a lot of resources…Since Northwell took it over, it brought in new surgeons including the joint and spine surgeons as well as the sport surgeons who came in with the orthopedic group to work at the hospital. The latest goal to become an orthopedic center of excellence really changed the dynamic. This isn’t just for surgeons, but rather the entire team.”