By:Justin Smulison
Outrage was the community's initial reaction to the news that the Franklin Hospital Medical Center had closed its 16-bed children's ward without alerting the public. However, hospital representatives quickly allayed residents' fears by assuring them that the closure will not affect the level of care available to children.
Community members and hospital representatives were joined by local legislators during a meeting in the Wheeler Avenue School, hosted by the school's Parent Teacher Association, on Jan. 21 to discuss the recent closing.
Dr. Ira Klonsky, Franklin's medical director, explained that the ward had been closed last summer due to its lack of necessity, and he dispelled the notion that children would be turned away when brought to Franklin. He said that although the ward contained 16 beds, only one or two were used regularly. He cited economics as the deciding factor in the ward's closing.
"Children who go through emergency surgery will stay and be discharged from Franklin," said Joe LaMantia, Franklin's deputy executive director. "Kids in critical care, after stabilization, we will transfer out. Acute care, where a kid swallows a coin, they don't need to be admitted or need radiology, we [would] consult [their] pediatrician. An emergency case like trauma or appendectomy will stay."
Klonsky said that once stabilized, a child would be transferred, if necessary, to Schneider, Winthrop, South Nassau or Mercy Hospital, depending on the severity of the situation and the preference of the parents or guardian.
Assemblyman Tom Alfano said the facts helped attendees understand the reality of the situation. "In this case, children will always be treated at Franklin," he said. "It's just there is no quote un-quote children's ward."
Once explanations were given and questions were fielded, parents shifted their dismay from the ward's closing to the fact that they had to learn about it from a parent who brought her child to the hospital, rather than directly from Franklin officials.
Shirley Rishkel, co-president of the Wheeler PTA, expressed her frustration with the lack of communication among the hospital, local politicians and community.
"To learn that there is no pediatric department at the hospital is worrisome," Rishkel said. "Valley Stream has 10 elementary schools and four high schools comprised of approximately 9,000 students, and when these schools were contacted regarding the open forum, no one was even aware of the closure."
Rishkel said that by the end of the meeting she felt confident with Franklin and the North Shore-LIJ Health System. "After hearing the representatives explain the changes and upgrades made in the medical staff and the qualifications, I believe that the hospital is quite capable of caring for our children," she said.
Though the pediatric ward has been closed, Klonsky said he would reconsider that decision if he saw the community rally or call for its reopening.
In an effort to reaffirm community-hospital relations, Klonsky and other hospital officials mentioned the existence of Franklin's community advisory board during the meeting, which was the first time many community members had heard of it. Klonsky said it is a closed board comprising local residents and doctors, and that he would consider inviting a member of another community organization to sit in on a future meeting.
Alfano said that if similar or future problems arise, he would talk to the hospital and address the community's needs. "It looks like these changes will benefit patients," he said. "If we see issues arise, then we'll take immediate action."
There was also speculation that Franklin General Hospital would close its maternity ward, which LaMantia said is completely untrue.
