By Jeff Lipton
"NUMC is one of the principal first-responders to any terror event or other incident of concern to homeland security," said Arthur A. Gianelli, president and CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, which runs the hospital. "The burn center is a critical component of such first response, ensuring that the residents of Nassau County continue to have access to first-class burn services, which they deserve."
Better treatment of potential victims of terrorism is just one aspect of the new Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center at NUMC, which was already in the forefront in the treatment of victims of fires, catastrophic accidents and other emergencies, hospital officials said. The burn center is the only facility of its kind in the county, they added.
NUMC is already recognized nationally as a leading center for burn victims, treating 200 patients at the hospital and 1,000 out-patients each year, including firefighters, victims of disasters and other emergencies, hospital officials said. "The new burn center enhances our mission to provide quality care by highly specialized surgeons and nurses, with sophisticated equipment designed to ease patients' excruciating pain, fend off complications and promote healing," said Gianelli.
The hospital first established a burn center in the 1950s, and it was last renovated in 1974. The new center was built on the sixth floor of NUMC. Funding was secured through the Nassau County Tobacco Securitization Program, along with donations from the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. The center occupies 12,000 square feet, has a capacity of 18 beds and contains a four-bed critical care unit and a six-bed acute care unit.
Each room has a roll-in shower and a freestanding "unit shower." There is also a Hubbard tank room for treating patients' wounds, a procedure room, a horizontal shower room, a physical and occupational therapy room and a conference room. The connecting wing will contain outpatient plastic surgery space with six examination rooms, a waiting room and office space.
"As Nassau County's only burn center, it is vital that NUMC is able to provide first-rate care to patients with life-threatening burn injuries," said Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who attended the center's opening. "With this new state-of-the-art facility, the burn center now has even more resources to continue to provide first-rate treatment to burn victims and be recognized nationally."
Carey Welt, chairman of the East Meadow Fire District Board of Commissioners, who also attended last week's ribbon-cutting, said the facility now provides a closer alternative to those in Manhattan. "This is really wonderful for the entire Nassau County," Welt said in a phone interview.
He added that the facility will not only be equipped with the latest equipment, but also have a well-trained staff. "The equipment is no good if you don't have the knowledge," said Welt. "You need both technology, equipment, but you also need the knowledge."
Scott Farber, who was recently elected as an East Meadow fire commissioner, said, "Any advanced help is welcome. This is on the cutting edge of technology. It's a great service to treat what is unfortunately one of the most painful injuries anyone can endure."
It took about 10 years to make the burn center a reality, said Paul Napoli, co-chairman of the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, who served for several years as Oceanside's fire commissioner. He said the foundation had raised more than $1 million since 1990 to help in the effort. "It took us more than 10 years because money is a big issue in this county," said Napoli. "But the new center is better than I had envisioned."
Napoli said the hospital has proven to be a valuable facility when it comes to treatment of burns, as 10 Oceanside firefighters can attest: They were rushed there in 2003 after being severely injured while battling a fire. "All the firefighters are fully recuperated," said Napoli. "If it were not for their treatment there, I don't know what we would have done."
Also attending the ribbon-cutting ceremonies were Martin Payson, chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation Board of Directors, as well as federal, state, county and fire services officials.
State Sen. Kemp Hannon said that NUMC "is at the epicenter of burn care in Nassau County. As Nassau's only burn center, it is vitally important to firefighters and victims of fires and other accidents. The earlier a burn is treated by experienced, knowledgeable professionals, the better the healing process. I am glad to see NUMC opening this new burn center to better serve our residents."
The facility will be staffed by certified physicians supported by a 20-nurse staff trained in the latest burn treatments, explained Dr. Roger Simpson, the center's director. "The new burn center will enhance our mission to provide high-quality care to all," Simpson said, adding that the center will also have the support of physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, a nutritionist and a chaplain.
The facility's other features include individually temperature-controlled rooms, mattresses with circulating air, synthetic material that serves as a temporary skin substitute and beds that automatically turn immobile patients to prevent further skin damage.
"The new burn center, with a reputation for superior burn and wound care treatment, will continue to provide access to world-class burn care services, of critical importance to firefighters, victims of catastrophic accidents and to the numerous emergencies that occur in densely populated Long Island," said Dr. Steven Walerstein, senior vice president for medical affairs and the hospital's medical director.
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
