By: Robert Remler
Currently only five other hospitals on Long Island can claim such a superior level of staffing in their emergency departments.Board certification, a gauge of expertise, requires passing rigorous exams created by an American Medical Association specialty board. "While there are about 32,000 physicians currently staffing the country's emergency departments, less than half have been certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine," said Dr. Robert Canter, director of Emergency Medical Services at LBMC and a 20-year veteran of the hospital's medical staff. Canter said that emergency departments are the front line of medicine where the staff's speed, experience and skill often means the difference between life and death. With approximately 18,000 emergency department patients annually, LBMC's emergency services range from resuscitating and stabilizing the critically ill or injured to treating common fractures and infections, sprains and minor illnesses.Most ED patients are cared for in the department's main section, which has 12 treatment areas, including five beds with permanent cardiac monitors. Four additional areas are reserved exclusively for patients with minor problems, allowing them to receive timely attention and return home as quickly as possible.To further meet its standards of excellence, the ED requires its staff to take continuing medical education courses and participate regularly in customer service training. most recently, because of increasing concerns about bioterrorism, they have attended specialized medical seminars, met with state and county officials and created a specific plan to handle such disastrous situations.In fact, LBMC's emergency department nurses and medical/surgeon nurses who were interested in working in the emergency room recently completed a challenging, 10-week training program to enhance their emergency and critical care skills. Supported by a $119,000 New York State grant, the program consisted of 400 hours of classroom learning and clinical experience designed to heighten their assessment abilities, as well as pain management, domestic violence and the complexities of organ and tissue donation. A great deal of time was also devoted to support families of the critically and terminally ill."The centerpiece of Long Beach Medical Center's mission statement is a commitment to excellence," Canter said.
Mercy offers free CPR training
You never know when you might be in a position to save a life. This is why Mercy Medical center and the American Heart Association are offering free Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training. The class will be held on Saturday, April 5 in the Catholic Health Services Building at Mercy Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Reservations are limited. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information call 1-877-242-4277. Remember heroes are not born. They are trained. Make the choice to learn CPR.
Mercy's Chinese Auction
The Employee League at Mercy Medical Center is sponsoring a Chinese Auction on April 5. The auction will be held at the Holiday Inn located at 173 Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The luncheon is $25 dollars and includes 25 tickets. Tickets will also be available at the auction. Prices are $5 for ten tickets and $10 for twenty-five tickets. The menu includes your choice of Chicken Kiev, Steak DelMonaco or Grilled Vegetable Pasta. Nearly 100 prizes will be auctioned off, and proceeds will benefit the Employee League at Mercy Medical Center. To R.S.V.P. or for more information, call Jeannie Jaeger at 516-705-2589.
St. Francis Hospital leads in coronary angioplasty
The New York State Department of Health released risk-adjusted mortality rates for all patients who underwent coronary angioplasty in 36 hospitals in New York that perform the procedure for the two-year period from 1998-2000. St. Francis Hospital-The Heart Center in Roslyn, is identified as one of three hospitals in the state with a risk-adjusted mortality rate significantly lower than the statewide average for the three-year period. The angioplasty data are used to ensure that hospitals provide quality care and service for patients with heart disease.Since the Department of Health began compiling mortality data in 1995, St. Francis hospital has performed more angioplasty cases than any other hospital in New York State. From 1998-2000, the hospital performed a total of 8,445 angioplasty procedures, the most of any hospital in New York. The hospital's risk-adjusted mortality rate was .59 percent compared to a statewide average of 0.79 percent.According to the Department of Health, St. Francis Hospital also performs more coronary artery bypass surgery cases each year than other hospital in New York State. In 1999, the most recent year analyzed, the hospital performed a total of 1,804 bypass procedures. The risk-adjusted mortality rate for patients who underwent bypass surgery at St. Francis Hospital was 1.29 percent as compared to a statewide average of 2.25 percent."As the only hospital on Long Island with risk-adjusted mortality rates for both coronary artery bypass surgery and angioplasty significantly below the statewide average, we are pleased to be recognized as a leading heart center," said Alan D. Guerci, M.D., president and CEO.
Calendar Items:
Here is a list of activities for St. Francis Hospital, Northern Boulevard in Old Brookville.
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The "Heart of Good Eating" class introduces the basic principles of heart-healthy nutrition; includes tips for dining out, label reading, information about heart-healthy substitutes and a discussion on the American Heart Association's nutrition guidelines. The class will be held on Wednesday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Francis Hospital DeMatteis center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard, Old Brookville. Fee; $10 per person/ $15 for two family members. Registration is required. Call 516-629-2069.
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April 3 through May 8: Yoga, evenings at the St. Francis Hospital DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education. Fee: $50 reservations required, call 516-629-2040. This class includes a series of gentle stretches, postures, breath work and relaxation techniques. Beginner and experienced students welcome.
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Mondays, April 14-May 19: Ballroom Dancing, directed by an Arthur Murray instructor. Beginner classes at v5:30 p.m., intermediate classes at 7 p.m., at St. Francis Hospital deMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard, in Old Brookville. Advance registration is necessary, call 516-629-2038.
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Tuesday, April 15: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. "Bridge the Gap Between Hospital and Home," meeting for the patients and their families to attend shortly after discharge for cardiac-related illness. Held at the St. Francis Hospital DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard, in Old Brookville. Advance registration is necessary, call 516-629-2038.
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April 21, 28, May 5, 12: Menopause Support group: This four-part program explores the symptoms and treatment alternatives of menopause in a supportive environment. The psychological aspects of menopause, as well as its implications for heart disease and osteoporosis will be discussed. The group meets at the DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard, in Old Brookville. Fee: $20. Reservations are required, please call 516-629-2040.
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Wednesday, April 30: 11:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.-Free Blood Pressure Screening and lecture, "Take Charge of your Blood Pressure" as part of a lecture series, Living With Hypertension. Lecture will be held at the DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, Northern Boulevard in Old Brookville. Please call 516-629-2040 for reservations.
