Schervier Pavilion Celebrates National Nursing Home Week

Colorfully costumed Polish Dancers, several social get-togethers including a Mothers’ Day tea, a visit by a popular entertainer, an International Day sampling and a car show were among the many events that occurred at Schervier Pavilion during the celebration of National Nursing Home Week, May 12 – 19.

However, the events are not out of the ordinary for the skilled nursing facility, which is part of the Warwick Campus of Bon Secours Charity Health System.

“Therapeutic recreation,” said Kari Call, “is essential to the quality of life and the quality of care of individuals receiving health and human services.” Call, a certified therapy recreation specialist (CTRS) serves as Director of Recreation at Schervier Pavilion. Her job is to provide recreation resources and opportunities for the residents seven days a week. “We publish a calendar every month that’s filled with interesting and entertaining events for our residents throughout the day as well as some evenings.” she reported.

On Monday, May 13, Schervier Pavilion staff and residents assembled for an opening ceremony hosted by Administrator Lisa Brocky who conducted a special employee and resident recognition program. She began by introducing two residents, Camille Dennono and Ernestine Freisinger, both over age 100 and members of Schervier Pavilion’s Century Club. Brocky then gave out special recognition awards to various departments and to 14 long-term employees for their high standard of dedication, compassion and generosity towards co-workers, residents and their families.

Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard also attended the event and issued a proclamation, declaring this week National nursing home week.

National Nursing Home Week was established by the American Health Care Association to honor those who promote quality of care at nursing home facilities, including residents, family members, volunteers, community, and staff. According to the Association, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Team Care,” is meant to recognize residents and patients in long term and post-acute care settings, the dedicated staff who care for them, and the value of care planning where everyone “pitches in” for optimal outcomes.

“I would like to take this opportunity during National Nursing Home Week,” said Brocky, “to thank all those who provide dedicated and compassionate service for our most vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities. Thanks to their skill and dedication, we are able to help each resident achieve the highest level of independence possible.”

Schervier Pavilion, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, is a 120-bed skilled nursing facility licensed by the New York State Department of Health. Dedicated to the highest standard of health care excellence, its full range of services, such as its therapeutic recreational program, are designed to respond to each individual’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

In addition to quality long term care services, Schervier Pavilion also offers a wide range of short-term (sub acute) care needs. Its sub acute services include IV therapy, Rehabilitation therapy and wound care. These services afford residents the ability to recuperate for a short time in the sub-acute unit of the facility and then return to the community where they can resume a more independent life. In some cases, they can then enter Schervier Pavilion’s Day-At-A-Time, an innovative medical adult day care program that provides nursing services, medication administration, ongoing evaluations, and stimulating activities tailored to each individual’s needs and abilities.

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)

Bon Secours Charity Health System Thanks Volunteers

Last year volunteers at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern, NY; St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY donated 48, 248 hours of their time in service.

On April 22 these three hospitals of the Bon Secours Charity Health System invited volunteers to a Recognition Luncheon held at the picturesque Wallkill Country Club in Middletown, NY. 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.

In a departure from previous volunteer events, this special day was organized as a theme luncheon in tribute to the famous child movie actress Shirley Temple, 85, and The Good Ship Lollipop, a song featured in her first film, “Bright Eyes.” And there was a surprise visit by ”Shirley Temple,” as played by luncheon coordinator Andrea Studnitzer, who handed out lollipops to all the guests.

Penny Mann, system director of volunteers, acted as emcee for the day and told her audience of volunteers that they were essential to the success of the Bon Secours Charity Health System and that their service had resulted in immeasurable savings in resources that can be employed to provide the best possible healthcare in each community where they serve. “Our hospitals are the good ships and you are the bright eyes,” she said.

Philip Patterson, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, first joked that he had never heard of Shirley Temple but then told a mostly senior audience that it was his grandmother’s favorite actress. On a more serious note, however, he thanked and praised the volunteers for their valuable service to the community. “We appreciate all that you do,” he said.

Jeff Reilly, senior vice president/administrator Bon Secours Community Hospital and St. Anthony Community Hospital, echoed those sentiments. “We could not survive without you,” he said. “You are the heart and soul of our organization.”

Deborah Marshall, vice president of public relations, marketing and strategic planning for Bon Secours Charity Health System, praised the volunteers for the important roll they play in helping to control expenses, which in turn, enables the organization to provide more services and maintain the highest quality healthcare. “We receive all kinds of honors,” she said, “and today, we honor you.”

The Above and Beyond award of excellence for the year went to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center volunteer Sam Yellen who stayed at the hospital and worked around the clock during Hurricane Sandy. “Helping other people is what I do best,” he said.

Volunteers Peggy Costic from Bon Secours Community Hospital, John Jelonek of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Lucy Fischetti of St. Anthony Community Hospital received special awards and gifts for having served the most hours in their local hospitals last years.

During and at the conclusion of the event guests participated in a raffle for gift certificates and merchandise provided by local business.

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

Home Depot Volunteers Build Healing Garden at St. Josephs Place Skilled Nursing Facility

Port Jervis, NY  (April 19) – Early in the morning on Thursday, April 18, a team of 32 skilled Home Depot employees, primarily from Matamoras, Pennsylvania along with volunteers from Home Depot stores in Newton and Riverdale, New Jersey, arrived at St. Josephs Place long-term care facility at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY.

At the end of the day, what they accomplished will provide residents of that facility with a furnished roof top garden featuring a pond, waterfalls, flower beds, a 30 foot long pergola, tables with umbrellas and many other amenities. The Home Depot workers generously offered their time and service, without compensation. And on May 16, the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation will host a dedication and blessing ceremony for the St. Josephs Place Healing Garden at 5:30 p.m.

The Healing Garden project was made possible through fundraising efforts along with a Bon Secours Health System, Inc. Mission Fund Grant for Healthy Community and a generous Home Depot Foundation Community Affairs Grant. As a result the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation was able to raise $56,000 for the Friends of St. Joseph’s Place initiative.

All fundraising efforts and implementation of the project have been lead by Dick McKeeby, a Foundation Board Member and Chair of the Friends of St. Joseph’s Place Committee, in cooperation with St. Josephs Place Family Council. Local corporate donors and vendors include Highland Associates, Home Depot and Royal Furniture.

Residents will also soon be able to enjoy additional improvements to the facility including renovations of the shower area and the purchase and installation of 48 new flat screen televisions. There are also plans to update furniture in the residents’ common area.

St. Josephs Place long-term care at Bon Secours Community Hospital is a 46-bed skilled nursing facility that provides professional care in an interdisciplinary approach to meeting the medical, personal, spiritual and social needs of each of its residents.

For more information, please visit http://bschs.bonsecours.com/our-services-long-term-care-st-josephs-place.html

Bon Secours Community Hospital Celebrates Opening of Newly Renovated Medical/Surgical Unit

On Thursday, April 4, Bon Secours Community Hospital celebrated the grand opening of its $3.8 million newly renovated Medical/Surgical Unit with a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The state-of-the-art facility, made possible by a Heal New York grant along with additional funding from the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation, features 31 beds and 20 private rooms, each with its own bath and shower, climate control and flat screen television.

The new Medical/Surgical Unit’s comfortable accommodations along with the latest medical technology are designed to assist the certified nursing staff in providing the highest quality care for patients while they are in recovery.

“I’m very excited about the opening of this brand new Medical/Surgical Unit,” said Jeff Reilly, senior vice president/administrator Bon Secours Community Hospital and St. Anthony Community Hospital. “This is another step in the improvements at our Port Jervis facility to meet the needs of our community.”

After a brief welcoming ceremony, followed by an invocation and blessing, Port Jervis Mayor Russell Potter joined Bon Secours Charity Health System executives and Bon Secours Community Hospital administrators for an official ribbon cutting.

“This is a big plus,” said Mayor Potter, “not only for the people of the City of Port Jervis but for everyone in the entire area.”

The celebration concluded with all of the guests invited to a reception with refreshments served in the hospital’s cafeteria.

Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, is located at 160 East Main Street in Port Jervis, NY. For additional information call (845) 858–7000 or visit: www.bonsecourscommunityhosp.org

Second Annual June Tent Party To Be Held June 1st

Event Co-Sponsored by St. Anthony Community Hospital and Warwick Valley Rotary Now Offering Journal Ad and Sponsorship Opportunities

WARWICK, NY (March 17) – Mark your calendars.

The second annual June Tent Party, co-sponsored by St. Anthony Community Hospital and Warwick Valley Rotary will be held from 6-10 p.m., Saturday, June 1, on the picturesque Great Lawn at Mt. Alverno Center in Warwick, NY.

This year’s event, chaired by Leo Kaytes Jr., invites guests to dress in casual chic attire for the evening while enjoying cocktail-style dining, dancing under the stars and live musical entertainment provided by the popular Jeremy Langdale Band.

Tickets are $75 and all proceeds will benefit St. Anthony Community Hospital and Warwick Valley Rotary. Sponsorship and Journal opportunities are currently available. For more information or to purchase tickets, journal ads or sponsorships, contact the Bon Secours Warwick Healthcare Foundation Office at 845-368-5151 or visit www.bschsf.org/warwick.

St. Anthony Community Hospital, a member of Bon Secours Charity Health System, is a non-profit hospital providing emergency, medical, surgical and obstetrical/gynecological acute care services to residents of southern Orange County, New York and Sussex County, New Jersey.

The Warwick Valley Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International and committed to a mission of community service.

Bon Secours Charity Health System Offers Free Leg Vein Screenings

SUFFERN, N.Y. (February 11, 2013) –  To assess the risk of venous disease, Bon Secours Charity Health System will host free leg vein screenings from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Monday, February 25 at 30 Hatfield Lane, Suite 309 in Goshen and Tuesday, February 26 at Suffern Medical Pavilion located at 257 Lafayette Avenue, Suite 300 in Suffern.

Visible leg veins are not only a cosmetic concern, but can progress to serious disease if left untreated including blood clots, ulcers, and other complications.  That is why screening is such an important first step in determining the extent of your leg vein health. Each screening will include a physical examination and a review of patient’s medical history. If further evaluation is needed, an appointment for testing and treatment can be scheduled. General information about venous disease and its causes will also be available at the event.

The free screenings will be offered by Anuj R. Shah, M.D., F.A.C.C. of Metropolitan Cardiology Consultants and Director, Vascular Medicine and Interventions at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Bon Secours Community Hospital.  Dr. Shah, an Interventional Cardiologist, is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation and Internal Medicine and is Board Eligible in Interventional Cardiology. He is also an expert in performing endovenous procedures including laser and radiofrequency guided ablation of varicose veins.

Pre-registration is required for these free leg vein screenings. To make an appointment, register online at www.bschs.bonsecours.com/bschevent or call 1-888-606-CALL (2255). Refreshments will be served.

Bon Secours Charity Health System Launching GE Centricity PACS within Orange County Facilities Improved Technology Sets New Standards In Clinical Quality And Productivity

Bon Secours Charity Health System announces the launch of GE Healthcare’s Centricity Web 3.0  PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) at their Orange County facilities: St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY. This web based technology has been available at their Suffern location, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, since 2009. Now for the first time, physicians across the entire Bon Secours Charity Health System can use the same innovative GE web based tool  to view, examine and manipulate their patient’s medical images and studies, via the internet.

In today’s fast paced world, there is a need for anytime, anywhere access to patient studies, history and results. With the launch of the PACS web version in Orange County, physicians at all three Bon Secours Charity Health System locations can now log in at home, within their office, or anywhere with an internet connection and access comprehensive diagnostic imaging and studies of their patients. GE Healthcare’s exclusive architecture ensures maximum security for all images and reports with SSL connectivity. This innovative web based tool enables users to provide a higher standard of care while practicing from virtually anywhere their needs may take them.

“As healthcare continues to evolve, Bon Secours Charity Health System will continue to be out front when it comes to innovative technological solutions like the GE Centricity PACS resulting in better health for our communities.” Said Philip Patterson, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System.  “Equipping our physicians with advanced technology to drive quality, safety and efficiency anytime, anywhere will help increase productivity, provide a seamless workflow and potentially faster treatment for our patients.”

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.

Strawberries, blueberries may cut heart attack risk in women

Study Highlights:

Women who ate at least three servings of blueberries and strawberries per week had fewer heart attacks.

Blueberries and strawberries contain high levels of compounds that have cardiovascular benefits.

EMBARGOED UNTIL 4 pm ET, Monday, January 14, 2013

DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2013 – Eating three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries per week may help women reduce their risk of a heart attack by as much as one-third, researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Blueberries and strawberries contain high levels of naturally occurring compounds called dietary flavonoids, also found in grapes and wine, blackberries, eggplant, and other fruits and vegetables. A specific sub-class of flavonoids, called anthocyanins, may help dilate arteries, counter the buildup of plaque and provide other cardiovascular benefits, according to the study.

“Blueberries and strawberries can easily be incorporated into what women eat every week,” said Eric Rimm D.Sc., senior author and Associate Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Mass. “This simple dietary change could have a significant impact on prevention efforts.”

Blueberries and strawberries were part of this analysis simply because they are the most-eaten berries in the United States. Thus, it’s possible that other foods could produce the same results, researchers said.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health in the United States and the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom conducted a prospective study among 93,600 women ages 25 to 42 who were registered with the Nurses’ Health Study II. The women completed questionnaires about their diet every four years for 18 years.

During the study, 405 heart attacks occurred. Women who ate the most blueberries and strawberries had a 32-percent reduction in their risk of heart attack compared to women who ate the berries once a month or less – even in women who otherwise ate a diet rich in other fruits and vegetables.

“We have shown that even at an early age, eating more of these fruits may reduce risk of a heart attack later in life,” said Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., lead author and head of the Department of Nutrition at Norwich Medical School of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom.

The findings were independent of other risk factors, such as age, high blood pressure, family history of heart attack, body mass, exercise, smoking, caffeine or alcohol intake.

The American Heart Association supports eating berries as part of an overall balanced diet that also includes other fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products. Eating a variety of foods is the best way to get the right amounts of nutrients.

Other co-authors are Kenneth J. Mukamal, M.D.; Lydia Liu, M.Sc.; Mary Franz, M.Sc. and A. Heather Eliassen, Sc.D..

Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The National Institutes of Health and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom funded the study.

Visit the American Heart Association’s nutrition center for more information about healthy eating.

Follow @HeartNews on Twitter for the latest heart and stroke news.

###

Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association’s policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding .

For Media Inquiries: (214) 706-1173

Tagni McRae: (214) 706-1383; Tagni.McRae@heart.org

Julie Del Barto (broadcast): (214) 706-1330; Julie.DelBarto@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: (800) AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and strokeassociation.org

Source: The American Heart Association