Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Receives The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

Award Demonstrates Good Samaritan’s Commitment To Quality Care For Stroke Patients

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The award recognizes Good Samaritan’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted guidelines.

This marks the 4th year that Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center has been recognized with a quality achievement award.

Get With The Guidelines–Stroke helps Good Samaritan’s staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes to improve patient care and outcomes. The program provides hospitals with a web-based patient management tool, best practice discharge protocols and standing orders, along with a robust registry and real-time benchmarking capabilities to track performance.

The quick and efficient use of guideline procedures can improve the quality of care for stroke patients and may reduce disability and save lives.

“Recent studies show that patients treated in hospitals participating in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program receive a higher quality of care and may experience better outcomes,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., chair of the Get With The Guidelines National Steering Committee and director of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass. “Good Samaritan’s team is to be commended for their commitment to improving the care of their patients.”

Following Get With The Guidelines-Stroke treatment guidelines, patients are started on aggressive risk-reduction therapies including the use of medications such as tPA, antithrombotics and anticoagulation therapy, along with cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation counseling. These are all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients. Hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for a designated period of time to be eligible for the achievement awards.

“Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center is dedicated to making our care for stroke patients among the best in the country. The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program helps us to accomplish this goal,” said Gabbie Fried, RN BSN, Director of Cardiovascular Services at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. “This recognition was achieved through excellent team work and demonstrates that we are on the right track. I am very proud of our team.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center RN Named Hudson Valley Magazine Top Nurse

Sherry Berbit, RN, BSN, MS, CADC Is Recognized As Top Nurse At Hudson Valley Magazine’s

2013 Excellence in Nursing Awards

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center chemical dependency RN, Sherry Berbit was recognized as “Top Nurse” at the 2013 Hudson Valley Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards. Held on Wednesday, May 8th at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie, NY, this sixth annual event pays tribute to the area’s top nurses. 

“Please join me in congratulating Sherry for this prestigious award and recognition.  Her concern for her patients, her compassion, her skills and her holistic approach to excellent patient care are hallmarks of our best nurses at Bon Secours Charity and we are very proud of Sherry’s dedication and service,’’ said Philip Patterson, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System.

Ms. Berbit was selected from hundreds of nominations made from peer groups as far north as Albany, into Westchester and as far west as Sullivan County.  Twenty Top Nurse nominees are chosen by a committee of medical professionals and editors of the magazine. The twenty nominees and Top Nurse Award are announced at a dinner paying tribute to nurses during National Nurses Week.

In her 25 years of nursing practices, Sherry has always exemplified Bon Secours Charity Health System’s mission to provide Good Help to Those in Need®.  With the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the mid 80’s, Berbit recognized that most people who tested positive for HIV/AIDS had no idea where to turn for help. She led in the local management of the epidemic, often presenting to the Rockland County legislature to ensure funding and services to an underserved population. She also presented at local, state and national conventions through the Talking To Kids About AIDS program. Many of Berbit’s patients first diagnosed in the 80s and 90s are still alive and well, and keep in touch with Sherry, grateful for the lifeline they were given by her.

While working in the chemical dependency and  acute psychiatry departments at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Sherry advocates for the hospitals most challenging patients to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity. She believes that her patients come first even if it means helping them on her own time. She has the compassion and kindness to truly understand her patient’s vulnerabilities and believes that her job is the best job in the world.

Committed to educating her fellow nurses and colleagues about the management of behavioral health patients, Sherry was instrumental in developing the hospital’s Behavioral Rapid Response Team, an innovative service that assists nurses on all units to effectively manage the challenges of psychiatric or addicted patients. She is often the first on the scene in frightening situations where she employs effective techniques to help diffuse tense situations while always maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.

In addition to Sherry Berbit, Bon Secours Charity Health System is also celebrating the nomination of Dawn Chester, a Med-Surg Nurse at St. Anthony Community Hospital, as one of the top 20 nurses in the Hudson Valley.

Nurses honored at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center’s 2013 Nurse Recognition Awards

On Tuesday, May 7, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center hosted its Annual Nurse Recognition awards luncheon.  Coinciding with the observance of National Nurses Week, the Nurse Recognition awards pay tribute to the hospital’s nursing staff for providing excellence in patient care.

Over 30 nominees including RNs, support staff and a physician were nominated by their peers for exemplifying excellence in leadership, patient care, team work and service. This year’s award recognition categories and winners included:

• Most Valuable Multidisciplinary Team Member – Dr. Jonathan Berg
• Caritas – Heather McManus, RN
• RN Excellence in Precepting – Robin Taegder, RN
• RN Leadership in Clinical Excellence – Mareena Johnson, RN
• Nursing Support Staff Excellence in Patient Care – Estela Williams-Marts
• Most Valuable Nursing Team – Chemical Dependency

Eileen Dobbing, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Vice President Patient Care Services/CNO for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, acted as the event’s keynote speaker and stressed the vital role nurses play at Good Samaritan . “Not only do nurses provide skilled care, but also a healing hand to patients each and every day.  They are the heart of our hospital. I am so proud of this year’s award recipients who represent some of the best and brightest in clinical and service excellence at Good Samaritan.”

Also recognized at the event were several Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center nurses who have been nominated for area excellence in nursing practice awards including:

• Hudson Valley Magazine Excellence in Nursing Top 20 Nominees – Sherry Berbit, RN (Chemical Dependency)
• 1199 Nursing Excellence Award Nominees – Katerina Listopad, RN, (SICU) Nurse of Distinction, Michelle Dunne, RN (OR) Preceptor, Jessica VanHook, RN (L&D) Novice Nurse, Diane Wilcomes, RN (OR) Nurse Leader
• Rockland County RN Excellence in Practice Award Nominees – Mareena Johnson, RN (SICU), Alicia Minaya, RN (ER), Veronica Barton, RN (Supervision), Jo-Ann Robinson, RN (Magnet and NUCU)

The Joint Commission Awards Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Gold Seal Of Approval™

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center has once again earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for both the management of Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) and management of stroke from The Joint Commission, healthcare’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body.

Launched in 2002, The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities. The Joint Commission certification renewal acknowledges that Good Samaritan has met the highest quality national standards for the treatment of patients who visit the emergency department at Good Samaritan and are admitted to the hospital with a heart attack or stroke.

“Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center continues to show its commitment to the improvement of cardiac and stroke care in the region as seen through these certifications from The Joint Commission,” said Philip Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of Bon Secours Charity Health System. “These designations uphold our promise of increased expertise for our patients across the continuum of care.”

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. To learn more about The Joint Commission visit www.jointcommission.org.

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Recognized by NorMet for Quality and Patient Safety

From NorMet:

Hospital Trustees Celebrate Quality Initiatives

Hospital trustees, chief administrators, and quality directors from the Hudson Valley recognize their peers for excellence in quality and patient safety

(Newburgh, NY . . . November 21, 2012)    Trustees from hospitals in the Hudson Valley region gathered Monday, November 12, 2012, at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown, New York for a celebration of clinical excellence and to learn more about the crucial role trustees play in the changing health care environment.  The Regional Trustee Briefing, sponsored by the Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association (NorMet), paid tribute to hospital quality and patient safety initiatives selected by NorMet members as the most outstanding for 2012.  NorMet represents hospitals in Westchester County and the six other Hudson Valley counties.

“As our health care delivery system becomes much more patient-centered and reimbursement becomes more value-based, quality improvement initiatives will play an ever increasing role across the continuum of care,” said Kevin Dahill, president/CEO of NorMet.  “Those facilities that embrace the challenges inherent in developing and maintaining robust performance improvement programs and can demonstrate measurable and meaningful results will succeed.”

NorMet recognized first place regional winners in four categories:

• Hospital Division or Unit – Good Samaritan Hospital (Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center) for Elimination of Elective Deliveries (C-section and vaginal births) of Less than 39 Weeks
•  Small Hospital – Northern Dutchess Hospital for Maintain Optimal Pain Control and Increase Patient Satisfaction by Decreasing the Amount of Opioid Use as Well as Adverse Opioid Effects Following Total Joint Replacement of the Hip and Knee
•  Large Hospital – Vassar Brothers MedicalCenter for Improving Sepsis Treatment Leads to Saving Lives
•  System – Greater Hudson Valley Health Systemfor Project ZERO Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infection: Hardwiring Central Line Maintenance Best Practices in ICU.

White Plains Hospital received an Honorable Mention in the Large Hospital category.

The awards were presented by Steven Kelley, president/CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital and Chair-elect of the NorMet board.  Kelley offered remarks about the importance of ongoing performance improvement initiatives and the positive return those efforts have upon patients, their families, and the community.

From left: Registered Nurses, Maternity Unit Joyce Lavecchia; Annie Ikin; Meg Moore; Deborah Marshall, Vice President, Bon Secours Charity Health System; Nicole Richmond; Jeanne Boydston, BSN, RNC-OB,C-EFM, Clinical Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery; and Steven Kelley, President/CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital and NorMet Chair-elect.

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, was honored with the NorMet 2012 Quality and Patient Safety Award Winner (Hospital Division or Unit). Congratulations to the staff of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for their exceptional work within this area! It is truly an honor to provide such Good Help to Those In Need within our communities. Our model for delivering extraordinary care for our patients is often replicated, however, never duplicated. This aware is a testament to the quality of care that is provided within our facility on a daily basis.

Bon Secours Charity Health System Dedicated Service Awards

Today, Bon Secours Charity Health System completed their annual “Dedicated Service Awards”. The Dedicated Service Awards or DSA’s, are an annual celebration held within Bon Secours to demonstrate our appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by our co-workers to our healthcare system and the communities we serve.

The nominees have been honored for the past two weeks at facilities across the Bon Secours Charity Health System. Both the winners and nominees were formally announced during a luncheon at each location.

In addition to being honored at the aforementioned luncheons, the winners will travel to our Health System Office in Marriottsville, Maryland and have accommodations at the prestigious Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Hotel in the Baltimore Inner Harbor.

Nominees from Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center + Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Home Care

Nominees for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Home Care included:

Sherry Berbit, Chemical Dependency
Jeanine Cahoon, Homecare
Sue Foti, Radiology
Marianne Hansen, CBO
Joyce Lavecchia, Labor and Delivery
Francine Lukasavage-Pantano, Homecare
Tracie McLee, Foundation
Theresa Pietrantonio, 3 Loria
Mary Radatovich, Perinatal Bereavement
Linda Ridella, Corporate Responsibility
Theresa Rodriguez, CVICU
Maria Villanti, Medical Staff Services

Congratulations to Sherry Berbit of the Chemical Dependency unit for obtaining the DSA award for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
For Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center’s HomeCare division, Jeanine Cahoon has won the Dedicated Service Award. Congratulations to all!

Sherry Berbit – Winner of the Dedicated Service Award for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center

*Not Pictured: Janine Cahoon, recipient of the Dedicated Service Award for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Home Care

At our Warwick Campus, a winner was chosen from both St. Anthony Community Hospital as well as the Long Term Care facilties that comprise our Warwick Campus. This ceremony was held on September 14th, 2012.

Nominees for the Dedicated Service Award at St. Anthony Community Hospital

The list of nominees included:

Yvonne Capone, Human Resources
Deborah Clark, Med Surg/SACH
Kathleen Cordes, Med Surg/SACH
Sandra Goumas, Schervier Pavilion
Laura Green, Med Surg/SACH
Michele Gregorio, Case Management/SACH
Regina Merrigan, OB/SACH
Joie Ogrodnick, ER/SACH
Lucinda Rebecca, PCA/Mount Alverno Center
Marlene Roerden, SDS/SACH
Manuel Salamanca, Housekeeping/Schervier Pavilion
Maribella Santiago, Business Operations Analyst Schervier Pavilion
Angela Soto, CNA/Schervier Pavilion
Michelle Verlezza, Med Surg/SACH
Andrea Wright, Housekeeping/Mount Alverno Center
Bob Yates, Radiology/SACH

Michelle Gregorio – Winner of the Dedicated Service Award for St. Anthony Community Hospital

Lucinda Ribecca – Winner of the Dedicated Service Award for Long Term Care at Warwick Campus

Last but not least, Bon Secours Community Hospital held their Dedicated Service Awards luncheon today (9/28/12) at 168 Main St. Conference Room.

Nominees for the Dedicated Service Award at Bon Secours Community Hospital

The list of nominees included:

Greg Behnke, Coordination of Care
Maureen Donnelly, Emergency Department
Barbara Dwyer-Anderson, Social Services
Kim Gallo, Case Management
Laura Gordon, PACU
Heidi Jasieniecki, Emergency Department
Marlena Jenks, Medical Surgical Unit
Michael Owens, Maintenance
Debra Owens, Health Information Management
Elizabeth Rhoades, Coordination of Care
Clarissa Sauschuck, Coordination of Care
Vicki Soules, Emergency Department
Janet Spano, Pharmacy

Barbara Dwyer-Anderson became the 2012 Dedicated Service Award winner for Bon Secours Community Hospital. Congratulations Barbara!

GSRMC RN Kathy Kelly of New City named ‘Nurse of Distinction’ by 1199SEIU peers

Nurse Kathy Kelly of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center was honored as the leading “Nurse of Distinction” in the New York metropolitan region on May 21 at the 1199SEIU healthcare worker’s union’s Ninth Annual Nurse of Distinction Awards ceremony at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. Kelly was selected from a field of 15 registered nurses nominated from throughout the New York metropolitan region.

The awards – created through the collective bargaining agreement between the 1199SEIU RN Division and the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes – honor a group of peer-nominated nursing professionals for their dedicated work at 1199SEIU institutions. The May 21 event was sponsored by the 1199SEIU League and RN Labor Management Initiatives Inc.

Maureen Stewart, lead nurse in the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Coronary Care Unit, nominated Kelly, a New City resident, for the honor.

“Kathy Kelly is the epitome of what a nurse should be,” Stewart wrote in a nomination letter. “As the lead nurse in our Critical Care Unit, she is deeply committed to clinical excellence and the delivery of holistic, evidence-based care. She works tirelessly to create a peaceful, healing environment that is patient- and family-centered.”

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center physician Dr. Jonathan Berg also supported Kelly’s nomination.

“Make no mistake, Kathy Kelly is more than just a good person and caring soul, she is also an unparalleled medical practitioner,” wrote Berg. “Her judgment, quick thinking, and diagnostic skills are second to none.  She can immediately assess a situation and not only decide what needs to be done, but organizes people so that it can get done in a quick and timely fashion.  Simply put, I have learned that when Kathy Kelly makes a ‘suggestion’ it is best to follow it to the letter.”

Also nominated for Nurse of Distinction Awards were Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center nurses Dawn Woudenberg, Michele Gilbert and Rosa Burch-Sankereli, and nurses Naim Korca, Kathy Guerra, Irene Stokkeland and Christina Troy of Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis.

An album of photos from the Nurse of Distinction Awards ceremony is available on the “RN Training and Events (Training Fund 1199SEIU)” Facebook page.

Partner for Change with Distinction Awards

All three Bon Secours Charity Acute Care Facilities won Practice Green Health “Partners for Change Awards with Distinction.” Bon Secours Charity was the only system that swept the awards with DISTINCTION. Congratulations GREEN TEAM and everyone for your focus on green initiatives!

Across Bon Secours there were 9 Partner for Change Awards; 4 Partner with Distinction, 1 Environmental Leadership Award, 1 DEHP-Free Award, and 1 System for Change Award As a recipient of Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, the entire system has proven our success in improving the environment, and we have shown that we are dedicated to a higher standard of sustainability!

Bon Secours Charity Health System says big ‘Thank you!’ to hundreds of volunteers

Beth Lahey of Port Jervis volunteered 1,255 hours last year at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis.

Catalina Rosa of Warwick volunteered 1,124 hours last year at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick.

Ed Harris and Mary Desiderio, both Suffern residents, volunteered 852 and 848 hours, respectively, last year at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern.

The three hospitals of Bon Secours Charity Health System gathered 185 volunteers April 20 for a National Volunteer Week brunch at the Sheraton Crossroads in Mahwah. More than 570 volunteers served the three hospitals last year – for a total of nearly 98,000 hours.

“It’s wonderful that they are doing this for us,” said Patrick Colman of Warwick, a longtime volunteer at St. Anthony Community Hospital.

The brunch marked the first time volunteers from all Bon Secours Charity Health System facilities were honored at a single event; volunteers were provided bus transportation. It was an opportunity for Bon Secours Charity Health System senior administrators to express their gratitude to the many dedicated men and women, ranging in age from high school students to senior citizens, who donate their time and energy.

Penny Mann, the Health System’s director of volunteers, and the Health System’s volunteer coordinators, Andrea Studnitzer and Amy Moore, welcomed the volunteers.

“You are cherished members of our hospital family,” said Mann. “You are essential to our success.”

Mann reported that in the past year, volunteers donated 97,652 hours of service to Bon Secours Charity Health System, resulting in an immeasurable savings in resources that can be employed to provide the best possible healthcare in each community where they serve.

Philip Patterson, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, called for a round of applause for those volunteers unable to attend the recognition event because they were working at each facility that day. He mentioned how much he enjoys being greeted by individual volunteers when he visits each facility. “Thank you for all your smiles and all your help,” Patterson said.

Gerry Durney, chief operating officer of Bon Secours Charity Health System and executive vice president of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, pointed out that senior volunteers, having had careers and raising families, bring a variety of valuable experiences and talents with their service. “We really appreciate all that you do,” said Durney.

Deborah Marshall, vice president of public relations, marketing and strategic planning for Bon Secours Charity Health System, praised the volunteers for helping the Health System control expenses, which in turn enabled the hospitals to purchase the latest in healthcare technology.

Volunteers Rosa, Lahey, Harris and Desiderio received special awards and gifts for having served the most hours in their local hospitals last year.

At the conclusion of the event, all participated in a raffle for 75 gift certificates and merchandise provided by local business.

# # #

((Volunteer Recognition A Desiderio Suffern))

Mary Desiderio of Suffern, center, who volunteered 848 hours last year at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern, is congratulated by the Medical Center’s Lynn Beers, left, and Penny Mann, director of volunteers for Bon Secours Charity Health System, at an April 20 volunteer recognition brunch at the Sheraton Crossroads, Mahwah.

((Volunteer Recognition B Harris Suffern))

Ed Harris of Suffern, left, who volunteered 852 hours last year at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern, is congratulated by Penny Mann, director of volunteers for Bon Secours Charity Health System, at an April 20 volunteer recognition brunch at the Sheraton Crossroads, Mahwah.

((Volunteer Recognition C Rosa Warwick))

Catalina Rosa of Warwick, center, who volunteered 1,124 hours last year at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, is congratulated by Andrea Studnitzer, and Amy Moore, volunteer coordinators for Bon Secours Charity Health System, at an April 20 volunteer recognition brunch at the Sheraton Crossroads, Mahwah.

((Volunteer Recognition D Lahey Port Jervis))

Beth Lahey of Port Jervis, center, who volunteered 1,255 hours last year at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, is congratulated by Penny Mann, director of volunteers for Bon Secours Charity Health System, and volunteer coordinator Amy Moore at an April 20 volunteer recognition brunch at the Sheraton Crossroads, Mahwah.

((Volunteer Recognition E raffle Richter Magliola))

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center volunteers Ann Richter of Pomona and Josephine Magliola of Suffern were among the lucky winners of raffle prizes at a Bon Secours Charity Health System volunteer recognition brunch for 185 volunteers April 20 at the Sheraton Crossroads,  Mahwah. Dozens of gift certificates and merchandise, donated by Orange and Rockland county businesses, were presented to the volunteers.

NewsReview.com Provides an article featuring vital information on Lap-Band Surgery

As a feature of NewsReview’s website, a segment entitled “Healthlines Health News”  provides up to date articles regarding the current trends of healthcare. This week an article was published entitled “Lap-band lowdown”.  Lap-Band surgery is becoming increasingly more popular in the United States due to its lower risk factor, and appeal for those individuals whom suffer from other life-changing diseases such as diabetes.  Approved in 2001 by the FDA, Lap-Band Surgery has changed lives of many American’s and has even reversed diabetes in many patients.

As noted in the article, when selecting a physician to perform weight-loss surgery, it is important to look for the seal of accreditation from the ASMBS.  Surgeons at Bon Secours Charity Health System’s Surgical Weight Loss Institute have attained this accreditation and practice many different types of bariatric surgeries.

For more information on Bariatric Surgery, please visit the website of the Surgical Weight Loss Institute.