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Hospital Newspaper - NJ
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Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
The best-dressed wounds in New Jersey. That’s the beauty of Trinitas.
T
he Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine at Trinitas Regional Medical Center is New Jersey’s leading comprehensive wound care center. We utilize advanced wound care technologies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy and Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC®) negative pressure wound therapy. And we were the first in the state to use Apligraf ® - a living, bi-layered skin substitute. We enjoy healing rates that are consistently above 90%. That’s why so many area hospitals send their most difficult wounds to us. And why Diversified Clinical Services named us a Center of Excellence. This is wound care that goes way beyond bandages. And it’s available right here, right now. Beautiful.
CENTER FOR WOUND HEALING & HYPERBARIC MEDICINE 240 Williamson St., Suite 104, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 908-994-5480 • www.WoundHealingCenter.org TRINITAS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
Behavioral Health • Cancer Care • Cardiology • Diabetes Management Maternal & Child Health • Renal Services • School of Nursing • Senior Services Sleep Disorders • Women’s Services • Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine
Trinitas Regional Medical Center is a Catholic teaching institution sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation.
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July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
RedPlus is a comprehensive healthcare payment solution that delivers payments "from Ink to e". Formed from a strategic alliance between Pay-Plus™ Solutions (PPS) and RedCard Systems, LLC (RCS), RedPlus enables a seamless interface benefitting customers of both companies by providing access to flexible options. By integrating paper based communications with the electronic payment process, RedPlus has the ability to provide streamlined options from a single source allowing payors to meet the needs of every provider client. This turnkey solution is easy and cost-effective with no upfront implementation costs, disruption to workflow, or operational footprint within the payor process. RedPlus offers the flexibility payors need with the choices providers want. Moreover, RedPlus provides accountability at every step of the healthcare payment process, ensuring regulatory compliance and reduced costs where you can receive consolidated payments from multiple payors, track and reconcile payment distributions, and ultimately reduce the number of healthcare payment vendors. "Because each healthcare provider has a unique business operation, payors need flexible payment options. Our alliance with PPS and the creation of the RedPlus solution enables us to deliver fast and reliable payments and explanation of payments in either a paper or an electronic format from one single source, said Eric Schaefer, President of RedCard. We are excited about working closely with PPS and how the creation of the RedPlus comprehensive solution will bring value to both the payor and provider markets." "The alliance with RedCard brings together the marketplace experience, customer service performance and innovative technology that both corporate cultures possess and enables the delivery of our unique "Ink to e" solution, stated Jay Ver Hulst, President of Pay-Plus™ Solutions, Inc. In fact, it's what payors have been seeking. Reducing the complexity of dealing with multiple vendors, achieving rapid implementation and ensuring outstanding customer service are fundamental goals that payors say they need, as they look to comply with the new payment requirements associated with healthcare reform legislation and RedPlus fulfills those needs and more." To learn how RedPlus delivers the "Ink to e" solution, visit us at www.RedPlusOnline.com.
Experience that Matters “We saw a need in the marketplace and knew we could come together to create a logical solution. After all, it makes sense that the two marquee vendors in healthcare payments build a unified product to fulfill the needs of the customer.” Jay Ver Hulst, President, Pay-Plus™
“We wanted to keep the same workflow for the payor to make integration to the RedPlus solution as easy as possible. Our experience with the payor market and with the various claims system platforms has allowed us to achieve that initial goal which allows for quick and flexible choices for providers” Eric Schaefer, President, RedCard
“No one in the healthcare payment marketplace understands the payor and provider relationship like we do. In fact, it’s our combined industry experience that enables us to create solutions that fulfill the special needs of payors and their provider customers.” Ronnie Brown, COO, Pay-Plus™
“Building a seasoned management team with deep payor and provider experience gave us the competencies and capabilities necessary to create innovative solutions that ensure regulatory compliance and improve operational efficiency of our customers.” Joe DiMartini, CEO, RedCard
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
THE PAYMENT
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Hospital Newspaper - NJ
OUR VIEW
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Summer is Here…and so are the Cicadas
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Bankers Healthcare Group, inc.
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Have you heard that unending noise from the cicadas? Just like
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everyone looking for summer the cicadas have decided to drop in
babies under 6 months the two main recommendations from the
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AAP are to avoid sun exposure and parents can apply a minimal
teen years, mate and then you are done.
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area is the strongest factor in preventing heat-related deaths.
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The use of fans does not appear to be protective during periods
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Hospital News wishes you a safe and fun summer!
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Please share your stories with us: news@hospitalnewspaper.com
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ing water or nonalcoholic fluids frequently; wearing lightweight, light
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Pay-Plus™ Solutions, inc. Plymouth rock management Co of NJ Premier Healthcare Exchange, inc. (PHx)
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colored, loose fitting clothing;and avoiding direct sunshine.
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News in Emergency Medicine The Sign of Excellence ence in Emergency Medicine edicine® ree Decades for More Than Three
Bernstein and Milano elected to New Jersey American College of Emergency Physicians Board (NJACEP) Drs. Michael Bernstein, MD, MBA, and Marc Milano, MD, FACEP, were elected to the NJ-ACEP board. The election was held at the chapter’s 2013 Annual Scientific Assembly held May 7 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Dr. Bernstein is the medical director of the emergency department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway. Dr. Milano is medical director of the emergency department at Bayshore Community Hospital. Both physicians are partners of Emergency Medical Associates. About Emergency Medical Associates Emergency Medical Associates (EMA), headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., is a physician-led, physician-owned medical practice that specializes in emergency, hospitalist and urgent care medicine. Dedicated to providing exceptional solutions for the measurable success of our hospital partners, EMA is recognized for clinical excellence, quality service and sustained improved patient satisfaction. For more information, visit www.ema.net, www.facebook.com/EMANews or www.twitter.com/EMANews.
Amato Gives Lectures at the 2013 American College of Emergency Physicians Advanced Pediatric Emergency Medicine Assembly Amato, MD, FACEP, FAAP, gave two lectures at the 2013 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Advanced Pediatric Emergency Medicine Assembly held March 12-14 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The lectures were entitled: • Respiratory Emergencies: The Latest and Greatest • Pediatric Trauma Updates and Controversies Dr. Amato is the director of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship and an attending pediatric emergency physician at Goryeb Children’s Hospital, Morristown, N.J. He is also the medical director of pediatric advanced life support for Atlantic Health. He is a partner of Emergency Medical Associates.
Troncoso Teaches Emergency Medicine Oral Review Course and Presents at the National American Academy of Emergency Medicine Conference (AAEM) Alex Troncoso, MD, taught a four-day intensive emergency medicine oral board review course held in Hilton Head, S. C., from April 8 to April 11. Dr. Troncoso also held a poster presentation at the national American Academy of Emergency Medicine Conference held Feb. 9-13 in Las Vegas. The presentation given covered idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, an idiopathic bleeding disorder secondary to development of anti-platelet antibodies, resulting in platelet destruction and impaired hemostasis. Dr. Troncoso is a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center. He serves as a consultant for Atlantic Ambulance Corporation, Livingston, N.J. and New Jersey Paramedic Instructor. He is a partner of Emergency Medical Associates.
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PAGE 8
July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
Ask An Expert Christopher J. O’Connor Executive Vice President, GNYHA Ventures, Inc., President, GNYHA Services, Inc. and President, Nexera, Inc.
Beyond Plug and Play—Strategizing for Optimal IT Spurred by consumer expectations, federal requirements, and the connectivity demanded by patient-centered care models, hospitals are adopting information technology (IT) at a faster rate than ever before. In fact, many hospitals expect IT to be the largest capital investment in the coming year. Over 75% of healthcare CIOs and IT executives polled in a recent survey planned to upgrade their network infrastructure in the next two years. And according to the Department of Health & Human Services, more than 80% of eligible hospitals have adopted electronic health records (EHRs), up from 9% in 2008. But these upgrades are not an exercise in technology for technology's sake. The most successful IT integration is a well mapped out organization-wide effort to meet transparent goals, not just an IT department project. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and meaningful use incentives have a lot to do with the uptick in IT interest. But that’s only part of it. From apps to clouds, IT can be a powerful tool, significantly impacting care delivery and day-to-day operations. It can help improve workflow and connectivity, patient experience, and outcomes; integrate clinical and financial systems; and promote evidence-based care. These are all vital to quality care and hospital viability in an increasingly value-based healthcare environment. According to one report, physicians and nurses waste more than 45 minutes a day on average using older technologies, such as pagers, instead of more up-to-date options, such as smartphones. Excess time spent discharging patients using outdated or deficient technology can cost a hospital more than $550,000 in lost revenue annually. That translates into an industry-wide loss of $8.3 billion a year. To make the right investment, the proposed technology should not be considered novel gadgetry but assessed by its ability to afford clinicians, executives, and patients quick access to critical analytical data. Truly successful technology systems work in a straightforward manner, make tasks easier to perform, and deliver essential information. They also align with hospital goals and show clinical/financial value. Strategies that help ensure IT success while avoiding implementation roadblocks include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
engaging stakeholders to evaluate current procedures and technology and business needs; considering integration, connectivity, and actionable data opportunities and challenges when selecting systems; creating an effective workflow and other procedures that support the technology; and devising and maintaining performance reports and evaluation processes.
While enormously valuable, IT comes with a number of challenges. Among them are cost and the sometimes disparate technology needs of hospital departments and organizations in a setting where information is expected to flow smoothly between systems. In addition, because technology evolves so rapidly, it is difficult to determine if an upcoming development will best this year's newest advancement. What’s more, there are important security and privacy considerations. As you attempt to address these issues and regulatory mandates, you can rely on your group purchasing organization to keep pace with your shifting needs. GNYHA Services continues to expand the role of the traditional group purchasing organization, prioritizing our IT contract portfolio—including software, hardware, and service categories—to provide members with opportunities to communicate their technology requirements directly in order to shape vendor agreements that deliver the most value. As part of a strategic IT initiative, it can achieve what winning IT programs do—facilitating, not replacing, organization-wide plans and objectives. Christopher J. O’Connor is Executive Vice President of GNYHA Ventures, Inc., the for-profit arm of the Greater New York Hospital Association, and President of two GNYHA Ventures companies: GNYHA Services, Inc., an acute care group purchasing organization, and Nexera, Inc., a healthcare consulting firm. Mr. O’Connor is Chair-Elect of the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM).
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
Achieve Optimal IT—SYNC to SAVE
From iPads to EHRs, hospitals are placing renewed focus on IT capital investments. GNYHA Services helps providers keep pace with this dynamically changing industry. Our contract portfolio is built using member feedback to ensure that members achieve savings in every healthcare IT category.
Turn to GNYHA Services to sync systems with savings. Call us today at (212) 246-7100.
555 West 57th St. I New York, NY 10019
Page 9
PAGE 10
July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
Fund-Ex Provides Customized Financing Solutions to Healthcare Professionals By Patrick Harrigan | Syracuse, NY
In a time of extraordinary change within the industry, healthcare professionals face a list of challenges that seems to grow longer by the day. Providers are required to juggle priorities and effectively delegate responsibility in an effort to deliver high quality care. External pressures such as declining reimbursements, increasing compliance requirements and uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act only add to the burden. Additionally, healthcare providers must adapt to the changing dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship as patients take a more proactive approach in how they gather information and interact with care providers. Despite these challenges, providers must make sure that operations continue to run smoothly while maintaining a steady Ă€RZ RI SDWLHQWV (TXLSPHQW QHHGV WR EH upgraded, additional staff may be needed to distribute the workload, and payroll or WD[ SD\PHQWV PD\ EH GXH 7KH ÂżQDQFLDO burden can often be overwhelming, leaving bills unpaid and projects stalled. In 2010, Fund-Ex, LLC was founded to provide healthcare professionals with the FRPPHUFLDO ÂżQDQFLQJ QHFHVVDU\ WR UXQ DQG grow a practice. As a lender that works exclusively with healthcare professionals, )XQG ([ RIIHUV D VXLWH RI ÂżQDQFLQJ VROXWLRQV GHVLJQHG DURXQG WKHLU VSHFLÂżF QHHGV and challenges. The funds can be used for a wide range of business purposes including working capital, debt consolidation, HTXLSPHQW ÂżQDQFLQJ UHDO HVWDWH RU WR VWDUW a practice. Fund-Ex’s goal is to simplify and shorten the lending experience for healthcare providers, ensuring that time away from patients is minimized. Âł:H XQGHUVWDQG WKDW D GRFWRUÂśV RIÂżFH doesn’t run like your typical business. Every second that a doctor spends away from patients means lost revenue,â€? said Albert Crawford, Owner and CEO of Fund-Ex. “We launched Fund-Ex to give healthcare professionals access
WR LQWHOOLJHQW ÂżQDQFLQJ RSWLRQV ZKLOH keeping the disruption of their day-to-day routine to an absolute minimum.â€? $OWKRXJK )XQG ([ RIÂżFLDOO\ RSHQHG LWV doors in 2010, principal owners Albert Crawford, Eric Castro and Robert Castro KDYH EHHQ SURYLGLQJ ÂżQDQFLQJ WR KHDOWKcare providers for more than two decades. That extensive experience has helped them gain a deep understanding of healthcare business cycles. It also led them to the realization that healthcare professionals QHHGHG PRUH ÂżQDQFLQJ RSWLRQV “Our years of experience have helped XV ÂżQH WXQH WKH IXQGLQJ SURFHVV DOORZLQJ us to provide capital to our healthcare clientele with unparalleled speed, service DQG HIÂżFLHQF\ ´ VWDWHG (ULF &DVWUR Owner and COO of Fund-Ex. “Combine that low-stress, no-pressure experience ZLWK D EURDGHU RIIHULQJ RI ÂżQDQFLQJ solutions and you have winning combination for healthcare professionals.â€? In addition to being time consuming and tedious, healthcare professionals IUHTXHQWO\ ÂżQG WKH VHDUFK IRU FDSLWDO fruitless. Traditional lenders are often
unfamiliar with healthcare professionals and unwilling to look outside their credit matrix to understand the complete picture surrounding the borrower. “Day after day we hear how challenging LW FDQ EH WR REWDLQ ÂżQDQFLQJ HYHQ IRU healthcare professionals with healthy incomes and solid credit histories,â€? said April Brissette, Chief Lending 2IÂżFHU IRU )XQG ([ Âł2XU FUHGLW PRGHO is rooted in a thorough understanding of their business process, and we take the time to understand the entire situation. This understanding allows Fund-Ex to say yes when other lenders are saying no.â€?
The Funding Expert for Healthcare Professionals www.fund-ex.com
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Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
Page 11
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PAGE 12
July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
Boomers & Beyond Alaris Health at FountainsNorth Campus holds Casino Day for residents
The Brother Bonaventure Extended Care Center at
provided
The staff at Alaris Health at Fountains North Campus recently brought the sights and sounds of an Atlantic City Casino to the residents of the facility. An exciting Casino Day was recently organized to celebrate May’s National Nursing Home Week. “With the staff acting as dealers, residents enjoyed a day of gaming and friendly competition. We find creative ways to involve residents in our events and to encourage stimulating activities,” says Paul Cohen, Administrator for Alaris Health at FountainsNorth Campus. There were gaming table with four different games to enjoy, including Bingo, High/Low, Poker
and Blackjack. In addition, the staff brought in two slot machines, which added the familiar sound of a casino machine to the event. The residents were given $20.00 in paper money to begin, and then bet one dollar each time a new game started. If they won, residents received a chip and could later go and redeem the chips for prizes. Alaris Health at The Fountains – North Campus offers a warm, supportive and uplifting environment for post-hospitalization short-term rehabilitation patients and long-term residents alike. For more information, please call (201) 863-8866.
Briteside Adult Day Center Open House Briteside Adult Day Center is pleased to offer an open house event on Thursday, June 27th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. located at 16 Sand Hill Road, Flemington. Briteside provides a comfortable, safe, home-like environment to help older adults (age 55+) in need of some supervision during the day to maintain their vitality. The open house will include an informational presentation on dealing with caregiver emotions, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet the staff and get your questions answered. The center provides a program of social adult day care with activities assigned to encourage independence, pro-
mote good health, nutrition, and self-esteem; enabling participants to remain part of the community and offering caregivers respite. A typical day at Briteside includes coffee and social hour in the morning, a complete lunch at noon, and an afternoon snack. Participants exercise every day with a walk in the morning and various other exercises specifically designed for seniors. A day at the center also includes entertainment/singing and cognitive games such as Name that Tune. Briteside is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information about the open house, call 908-782-8080.
TRINITAS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 120-Bed Hospital-based Long Term Care Unit • Award Winning Care • Five-Star Quality Rating (Three Stars Overall) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services • Recipient of the Prestigious “Advisory Standards Designation” from the State of New Jersey • Higher Acuity Care (wound care, IV nutrition, IV antibiotics, pain management) • Post Acute Care • Palliative Care • Rehabilitation Services: Occupational/ Physical and Speech Therapies • Quality of Life Programming (salon, pet therapy, recreation, trips, celebrations)
Featured at a recent open house ceremony following renovations are, left to right: Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage; Krishna Garlic, Elizabeth Department of Health; Debby Hall, Administrator of Brother Bonaventure; Gary S. Horan, Trintas' President and CEO; Karim J. Khimani, MD, Medical Director of Brother Bonaventure, and James Lape, FACHE, Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, and Long Term Care.
• 24/7 Admissions • Accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most Managed Care • Recently Renovated Facilities
For information and a tour please call: Debby Hall, Administrator (908) 994-7525
655 East Jersey Street Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208 Trinitas Regional Medical Center is a Catholic teaching institution sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation.
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
PaGe 13
Boomers & Beyond Certified Nursing Assistant at Alaris Health at Cherry Hill is celebrated for forty years of caring for patients
Ken Keegan and Gwen Collins
provided
During the forty years that Gwen Collins of Alaris Health at Cherry Hill has cared for patients as a Certified Nursing Assistant, she has seen many changes in her field of work. While resident care has improved, primarily due to advanced skilled staff training and more modernized equipment, one thing that has never changed is her love and dedication for her patients. “I have joy every day at my job because I have the privilege of caring for human beings. I love the hands on caregiving part and the feedback from the residents. I feed them, listen to them, and even pray with them. My motto is, ‘Treat people the way you would want to be treated,’ ” says Ms. Collins, who has consistently maintained perfect attendance records. In honor of her forty years of service, Ms. Collins was recently given a party at Alaris Health at Cherry Hill with a celebration “befitting a queen,” says Ken Keegan, Administrator. She received flowers, a cake, a bracelet and a plaque
from residents who spoke about what her dedication has meant to them. “We wanted to spoil her. Gwen has never slowed down and her dedication has never wavered. She can run circles around people half her age. She is absolutely the energy of this building and we are pleased to celebrate the positive impact she has made on the lives of so many,” says Mr. Keegan. When Ms. Collins, a West Berlin resident, began her work in the 1970s at Heritage House of Cherry Hill, which has many years later become Alaris Health at Cherry Hill, the facility was considered a boarding house. Ms. Collins recalls many special residents over the years, but most poignantly a 100-year-old woman who received eye surgery allowing her to finally see. “She called me her daughter,” recalls Ms. Collins, “and for the first time, she could see me.” For more information about Alaris Health at Cherry Hill, please call 856 795 3131.
1Áå ÌÎ Ì A kÌ/Ø kÀÌ, A Ķ Ì If you have an elderly or ill loved one at home, who will take care of them?
kÀ k Ì.k A Ì A Ì k « All caregivers need breaks. Respite Care Program at Bergen Regional Medical Center provides a place for your loved one to stay while you take care of personal business, go on vacation, or just relax and rejuvenate. Have peace of mind knowing our guests are cared for by skilled nursing and medical staff. Because Bergen Regional is a full service medical center, you are assured a safe and secure environment that provides quality care to your loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please call 201.967.4073 230 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey 07652 • www.bergenregional.com
PAGE 14
July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
HOSPITAL
H of the Month
PATIENTS FIRST MHMC’S EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SAVES LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY When a medical emergency arises, time can mean the difference between life and death. If our neighbors need urgent medical care and cannot get to the hospital emergency room, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department of Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center (MHMC) is available at a moment’s notice to provide comprehensive pre-hospital care and transport to the hospital. Utilizing state-of-art equipment, including one of the most modern ambulance fleets in the area, our EMS crews continue to save lives and provide that extra peace of mind for our neighbors in Secaucus and surrounding communities. In recent months, an MHMC crew of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) saved the life of a baby just more than a month old. After being removed from the bathtub, the child went limp and stopped breathing. The MHMC crew responded within two minutes of the original call with oxygen. Within 90 seconds, the baby was on the way to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, EMTs administered life-saving oxygen, continued to
evaluate the baby’s condition, and maintained the airway. After a twominute trip, the baby was handed over to the waiting emergency room (ER) team for additional lifesaving care. After several hours of treatment in the ER, the baby was given a clean bill of health. Recently, an MHMC ambulance crew was part of a multiple agency response to the nearby rollover accident of a NJ State Police cruiser. While caring for the patient while still trapped in the vehicle, the crew assisted state police and the Secaucus fire and police departments with the trooper’s extrication and subsequent transfer to a helicopter for transport to a trauma center. During Superstorm Sandy, MHMC’s EMS dispatch center performed an enormous community service. As the only fully-functioning dispatch center at the height of the storm, MHMC aided surrounding communities by taking emergency calls from citizens, community leaders, and other agencies in order to coordinate movement of first responders to where they were most desperately needed.
MHMC has one of the most modern fleets of emergency vehicles in the region.
As the primary EMS provider for Secaucus, MHMC’s EMS services include: One ambulance is stationed at MHMC, with a second ambulance stationed at the Secaucus Office of Emergency Management (OEM) building in the center of town.
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Each ambulance is staffed by at least two certified EMTs.
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MHMC’s EMS crews respond in less than eight minutes, with a recent average response time of just more than five minutes.
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MHMC’s EMS provides stand-by service at Secaucus events, and offers mutual aid to other communities when needed.
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All ambulances and equipment are maintained in a safe, clean and sanitary condition, and exceed New Jersey compliance and inspection requirements. On-site emergency dispatch center, staffed by qualified EMS operators, which aid callers with initial first aid while dispatching the nearest ambulance to the patient’s location.
photos provided
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MHMC’s team of certified EMTs includes (L-R) Lukasz Koszela, Carmen Lizardo, Belinda Orta, and Bernardino Gulo.
Meadowlands EMS recently launched its Specialty Care Transport Unit (SCTU), a specialized ambulance for critically-ill patients. Staffed by highly trained nurses and EMTs, the SCTU serves patients, ranging from children to adults, with multiple medical problems. These ambulances carry state-of-the-art equipment for cardiac monitoring, advanced life support
medications, portable ventilators and intravenous (IV) medications and equipment. This allows a smooth transfer of care between one facility and another, minimizing the stress on the patients and their families. For more information on MHMC’s Emergency Medical Services, call 201-583-6703 or visit us at www.MeadowlandsHospital.org.
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
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July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
Help Program continues to be a success Among other things, physicians Anil Narula and David Feldman, are successful, caring and very busy. With long days, they didn’t need to be burdened with a long process when looking for a mortgage. Of course, the pair also wanted a good rate. Enter the Sun National Bank Hospital Employee Loan Program (H.E.L.P). Sun Home Loans and Hospital Newspaper came together to bring the emergency services community a special mortgage opportunity. Whether purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing one, the Sun Home Loans H.E.L.P. program is offered to members of the hospital community and their families. Count Narula and Feldman as two of the many satisfied clients since the H.E.L.P. program was launched about a year ago. “At the end of the day, the rates are the most competitive, and the process is simple,” ,” said Feldman, an emergency room physician at Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center. “I don’t have a ton of time to fax papers back and forth. The H.E.L.P. staff helps you with all of that and the process is not intrusive as it is with other mortgage companies.” Why has the H.E.L.P. program been such a success? Simple. Great customer service combined with some of the best rates in the industry. Sun National Bank is honored to work with the heroes of the hospital community and their families. It’s a natural fit. Sun National Bank believes that doing business in the community means being a part of it: We believe all of our clients deserve the best service and products. The H.E.L.P. program provides discounted mortgage rates designed for hospital employees and pre-qualifications to shop for your next home. Refinancing can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars per year. Not only that, a H.E.L.P. program representative will assist you in making sure the process is cost-effective and works for you and your family. H.E.L.P. Program clients enjoy unmatched customer service and attentiveness throughout the process - from their initial inquiry - through closing. “My interaction with the H.E.L.P staff was outstanding,” said Narula, a general surgeon who practices in the Bronx. His wife, Dr. Anita Narula, is a physician at Bronx Lebanon Hospital. “Whenever I had any questions, they never hesitated to get back to me. They were very honest and fair. I have the highest praise for the program. I wouldn’t expect anyone to get back to me 24/7, but some always was available.” In addition, Sun National Bank provides a fullrange of banking products and services, delivered by experienced bankers. Sun National Bank believes that doing business in the community means being a part of it: Our clients deserve the best service and products. Whether purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing one, the H.E.L.P. Program is offered exclusively, providing personal service, benefits and rates not normally available to the general public. To receive more information about the program and its benefits, contact Steven Testa at stesta@sunnb.com or call 973-615-9745. Sun National Bank Home Loans and 1st Responder Newspaper are not affiliated. All loans subject to approval. Certain conditions and fees may apply. Mortgage financing provided by Sun National Bank Loans, Equal Housing Lender.
Win an iPad! If you are a member of the hospital community, now is your chance to enter Sun Home Loans and Hospital Newspaper's contest to win a free iPad. Just to go our website at www.hospitalnewspaper.com and fill in the entry form. Once you complete it, you will receive an email that requires you to confirm your email address. Once you do that you are entered. Hospital Newspaper will also be accepting applications at all conventions that it attends. A total of Five iPads will be given away so your chances to win are excellent. Sign up today to win today!
Hospital Employee Loan Program
Sun Home Loans, a division of Sun National Bank, is proud to serve the heroes in our community who dedicate their lives to serving the rest of us: doctors, nurses and other hospital employees.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
That is why we teamed up with Hospital News to create the Hospital Employee Loan Program (HELP). With a competitive mortgage rate and discounted
the path to home ownership.
fees, this program helps our community heroes purchase new homes or refinance existing homes. Plus, the program comes with our pledge to get hospital employees in their new homes by their contract dates.
We understand that the current economic environment has created challenges to home ownership. Working with our own resources and Federal government programs we will create a solution that opens
The Hospital Employee Loan Program delivers these advantages: » A competitive mortgage rate, available specifically for hospital employees » Discounted fees » Personal service from program specialists » Our pledge to have you in your home by the contract date
COMMUNITY FOCUS Sun National Bank, a full-service provider of banking products and services, is dedicated to playing an active part in the communities we serve. We support a variety of organizations, events and programs whose goals are to make our neighborhoods a better place to live and work and improve the lives of those living around us. Hospital News is the leading provider of local news and information for doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.
Learn More To find out more about our Hospital Employee Loan Program, email stesta@sunnb.com or call 973-615-9745 to talk with our program specialist, Steve Testa (NMLS #460176), who will discuss your need and explain how the program could benefit you.
www.sunnb.com Sun Home Loans, Sun National Bank, and Hospital News are not affiliated. All loans subject to approval. Certain conditions and fees may apply. Mortgage financing provided by Sun Home Loans, a division of Sun National Bank, member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
PAgE 17
Clara Maass Medical Center honors Volunteers for 56th Consecutive Year They visit patients, escort therapy dogs, give out trays of food, and knit blankets among other selfless acts. For some, volunteering at Clara Maass Medical Center has become a way of life. It has given a new purpose to those who have retired and who choose to do good in their spare time. These volunteers were recognized at the 56th annual Clara Maass Medical Center Volunteer Luncheon that took place at the Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield. This year’s theme was “Touching Lives, Lifting Spirits.” The luncheon honored Auxiliary members, knitters, American Cancer Society navigators, pet therapy volunteers and dogs, and Kathy Kaminski, Volunteer Coordinator at CMMC. “Volunteering has brought new life to my life,” says Marie Vander Zwan of Belleville, NJ. Marie has been volunteering at the Medical Center for 27 years, and was once President of the Clara Maass Auxiliary for eight years. “I always felt there was something else I had to do with my life, and after 27 years,
I know this is it. I’m happy coming here.” Special awards were given at the luncheon in early May to those volunteers who dedicated 15 years of service and 10 years of service to the Medical Center. Those honored for 15 years of service at CMMC included Freida Berkowitz and Isabel London of Belleville, Antoinette Chiaro and Phyllis Scelsa of Lyndhurst, Flora Ferraro and Catherine Fiducia of Bloomfield, Lucy Leopardo of Cedar Grove, and Roseann Luipersback of Clifton. Constance Brienza and Frances Vindici of Belleville, were honored for 10 years of service to the Medical Center, along with Naresh Hinduja of Paterson. “It’s important to us that we honor those who have served so many selfless years here at the Medical Center,” says Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at CMMC. “We can’t thank them enough for the number of hours they have devoted to volunteering. The Medical Center simply wouldn’t be the same without them.”
Volunteers who passed away over the past year were fondly remembered during the program. Attendees received lunch as they listened to appreciative remarks from members of CMMC senior management. A raffle including dozens of prizes was held for the
volunteers, in addition to the gift provided to each attendee – a copy of a hand-painted image of Clara Maass Medical Center from both 1993 and 1868, when it was still called Newark German Hospital. In 2012, 275 volunteers put in over 35,000 hours of dedicated serv-
ice at Clara Maass Medical Center. Whether they are visiting with patients who are sick, escorting therapy dogs, raising money, or simply bringing magazines to someone who is bedridden, the Clara Maass volunteers enhance the Medical Center in countless ways.
New Jersey Hospital Group Members Save $418!
New Jersey Hospital Group has partnered with Plymouth Rock Assurance because of our shared commitment to service and value for our customers. We protect you with outstanding service and coverage that you can always count on. You deserve a company that treats you like a person, not a policy—that’s what separates us from other auto insurance companies. Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer (far left), Margaret Nielsen, RN, BSN, JD, Director of Patient Satisfaction and Risk Management (far right), and Kathy Kaminski, Volunteer Coordinator (second in from far right) presented certificates of appreciation to those volunteers who have served 15 years of service to Clara Maass Medical Center (pictured from left to right): Roseann Luipersback, Isabel London, Flora Ferraro, Ann Chiaro, Frieda Berkowitz, Catherine Fiducia, Lucy Leopardo and Phyllis Scelsa.
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photos provided
Plymouth Rock Assurance is a marketing name used by a group of separate companies that write and manage property and casualty insurance in multiple states. Insurance in New Jersey is offered by Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey on behalf of High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company and their affiliates. Each company is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued by each company. Offer available to New Jersey residents only.
Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer (far left), Margaret Nielsen, RN, BSN, JD, Director of Patient Satisfaction and Risk Management (far right), and Kathy Kaminski, Volunteer Coordinator (second in from far right), presented certificates ofappreciation to those who have served 10 years of service to the Medical Center (pictured): Constance Brienza and Fran Vindici.
Annual average savings based on customers who switched to High Point from 1/2010 to 4/2012. Your premium may vary due to available discounts, eligibility requirements, driving record, and other factors. ©2013 Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. All rights reserved. 6880/042013
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or nfo f i t s e Lat es and
nursdents stu
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
Nurse’s Viewpoint
By Alison Lazzaro
Hospital Newspaper Correspondent
The Ripple Effect Nothing teaches the importance of staying hydrated quite as intensely as...hot yoga. Encapsulated in a room heated to a smoldering 95 degrees Fahrenheit, yogis are expected to gracefully twist in and out of human knots for fun. Whether participating in something that makes sure sweat escapes every inch of your body, or simply taking a deep breath while sitting on the couch, staying adequately fueled with water is vital to life and essential for nurses to teach their patients and keep mindful of for themselves! A Fish Out Of Water Water in our bodies regulates temperature (just as a dog sticks its tongue out when it is hot to shake off the heat), blood pressure, and digestion. Water is responsible for making up the majority of our bodies and we are accountable for replacing water loss. Not getting enough water affects the brain's processing abilities. Staying hydrated is essential for improved concentration, decision making and enhanced mood. Just another reason to sip up before taking an exam! The Well Runs Dry Dehydration is preventable, but without treatment can have serious consequences. Some early signs that you are not getting enough fluids include increased thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, confusion, fainting, and decreased urine output. These symptoms can progress to an emergency situation if not reversed. Experts from the Mayo Clinic caution that waiting to drink water until thirst kicks in is actually too late. Urine should be a dilute pale yellow color if you are maintaining adequate hydration. Many of us recognize the importance of drinking extra water when participating in strenuous exercise, but remember to teach patients to drink more when they experience fever, vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes, and infections because water can be lost rapidly. Be careful fueling up on drinks high in caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) because they have a diuretic effect. Rather teach patients to eat foods high in water content like lettuce, watermelon, broccoli, and yogurt. Quench Your Thirst Adequate hydration affects every body system and the kidneys get especially ticked off if you forget to drink enough. Your kidneys filter 180 L per day and remove waste from the body. Water helps them work properly to flush toxins out of the body. A consequence of not getting enough H20 is renal calculi, or kidney stones (supposedly more painful than childbirth and with the ability to make grown men cry!) Drinking your 6-8 glasses of water a day can also reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. Here's the Skinny... Drinking more water can actually help you lose weight. Hunger frequently gets confused with a need for more water. Responding to hunger by drinking a glass of water first can actually suppress appetite and kick up your metabolism to break down fat. So next time you do your patient teaching throughout the day, increase awareness about how beneficial it is to stay adequately hydrated this summer and throughout the year.
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
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Glen E. Tonnessen, M.D. Awarded Master of Medical Management Glen E. Tonnessen, M.D. was awarded the Master of Medical Management (MMM) degree from Carnegie Mellon University in commencement ceremonies on May 18th in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Tonnessen is President of Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates in Flemington, NJ and a practicing cardiologist at Hunterdon Medical Center. The MMM is the degree of choice for physicians serving in health care leadership roles. Developed in partnership with the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE)—the national specialty society representing physicians in medical management—the MMM degree is conferred by only three of the nation's top universities: Tulane, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Southern California. ACPE designed the degree program to enable busy physicians to develop the unique knowledge and skills needed to lead medical concerns, ranging from solo practices to the nation's largest health care organizations. Dr. Tonnessen joins an exclusive group of physicians over 650 nationwide who hold the MMM degree. He also holds Board Certification in Vascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine.
Restructuring Medical Education On July 1, 2013, the New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Education Restructuring Act goes into effect, integrating Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with all units of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), except University Hospital in Newark and the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford. This historic restructuring will strengthen biomedical education and research statewide and foster new public-private partnerships with industries that are critical to New Jersey’s economic prosperity. The ultimate result will be a research university that will rank among the most prominent and elite institutions in America. The website http://ru-umdnjtogether.rutgers.edu/, a combined effort of Rutgers and UMDNJ, is the official source for accurate information on the myriad details and decisions related to the integration.
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education & careers
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Hospital Newspaper - NJ
education & careers Kearny High School students learn about nursing care through a partnership with Alaris Health at Kearny and Alaris Health at Belgrove To assist Kearny High School students in their vocational program, called “Medical Assisting Students,” Alaris Health at Kearny created an innovative ‘Sensitivity Training’ workshop held at the high school where students could learn what it feel likes to be elderly. The Alaris Health at Kearny team held exercises where students learned about visual impairment by wearing blacked out goggles, as well as the loss of manual dexterity by wearing oven mitts while doing small motor tasks. Another exercise with a blindfold and a variety scents showed the students how some blind individuals compensate for their loss of vision with a keener sense of smell. “The comments we received from the students were very positive. The exercise really enlightened them and helped them to get a better understanding of our senior population and those recovering from injury,” Walter Sokolowski, Recreation Therapist for Alaris Health at Kearny. In addition to the program at Alaris Health at Kearny, Kearny High Students also come weekly to Alaris Health at Belgrove and
photos provided
Gloves inside oven mitts were worn to decrease the sense of touch while the students tried to pick up a penny, a feather, a paper clip, etc.
The students experience diminished vision and evaluated their sense of smell.
participate all year long in the “Medical Assisting Students” program. Students help with both recreation and care activities for the residents. Three shifts of students come each Tuesday and Thursday to help the staff with everything from making beds, feeding residents, transporting them to activities, and assisting with both the High Functioning and Low Functioning program.
says Peggy Biondo, teacher and program advisor for Kearny High School. Several of the students have later been hired by Alaris Member Health Centers and other similar facilities, says Ms. Biondo. In addition, Alaris Member Health Centers greatly benefit from the youthful energy and enthusiasm of the high school students.
“These students are all interested in the healthcare field and through the program they gain a better understanding of the field and become more compassionate human beings in the process. Their interaction with patients and residents provides an unbelievable opportunity for learning and makes them well rounded and better able to identify with those with illness and disease,”
Unique Recruitment Opportunity Hospital Newspaper believes that high school students should be informed about potential healthcare careers. Special career sections will be placed in your local high schools, medical schools, colleges and nursing schools. This is your opportunity to display opportunities for:
Faculty/Physician Nursing Administrative Support Positions Clinical Care
Medical Assistants Counselors Medical Imaging Dieticians
Please contact Jim Stankiewicz for more information. jim@hospitalnewspaper.com tel: 845-534-7500 x219
“It is such a benefit for the residents and staff. Every staff member appreciates them. We consistently tell them how valuable they are to our efforts. Having the students here means more residents can be involved in activities,” says Mr. Sokolowski. For more information on the program, call Alaris Health at Kearny at (201) 955-7067 or call Alaris Health at Belgrove at (973) 844-4800.
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
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New Matheny Principal is the Ultimate ‘Team’ Player Sean Murphy has two favorite words: “community” and “team”. He uses them frequently to explain the success of The Matheny School and to express his passion about its students, their families and his staff. “Together,” he says, “we tackle every issue. It’s important for teachers to see parents as partners and for the parents to see teachers as partners – everyone pulling together in the same direction for the benefit of the students. To create true opportunities, it takes a community, and it takes a team.” The Matheny School is part of the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a special hospital and educational facility in Peapack, NJ, for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities. Murphy, who grew up in Chesterfield, England, started working at Matheny 19 years ago as a personal care assistant and was named principal of The Matheny School in March. A resident of Washington, NJ, he received his BA in special education from New Jersey City University in 2001, became a special education teacher and was named vice principal in 2008. He also has an MA in urban education/administration and su-
They can do practically everything; we just have to figure out how.” A key priority of Murphy’s is to help Matheny’s students develop practical transitional skills that will help them in the community after they graduate. “With transition, we have come a long way,” he says, “but we have a lot further to go. It should be our goal to have our graduates integrated into popular society as much as is humanly possible.” There are several ways Matheny is accomplishing this:
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Sean Murphy reads to Matheny student Ari Golub while Ari’s teacher Stacy Lafargue looks on.
pervision from NJCU and is also an adjunct professor in the psychology and education program at The College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ, and is on the advisory board of the Education Department at Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ. Matheny’s students all have multiple disabilities, and many of them are non-verbal. That, in Murphy’s opinion, should not prevent them from reaching their highest level of academic achievement while also
obtaining maximum independence. One way the school helps them reach those goals is through technology, but Murphy insists that Matheny “does not have an assistive technology program. Instead, we integrate assistive technology into every single program that we have. If there’s something that someone cannot do without technology, you use technology to even the playing field. Because of technology, our kids can walk using adapted devices; and they can communicate.
Matheny’s Arts Access Program on Display At ‘New Jersey Medical School – ARTS’ Exhibit ables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. Art from three Arts Access satellite programs – the WAE Center of JSDD (Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled of Metrowest, Inc.) in West Orange, NJ; the Arc of Mercer County in Ewing, NJ; and Hattie Larlham in Twinsburg, Ohio – are part of the ARTS exhibit as well. In fact, staff members from Hattie Larlham, a facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities, visited Matheny on May 20 to spend the day with Arts Access staff members and artists.
photos provided
Three artists from the Matheny Medical and Educational Center’s Arts Access Program attended the opening reception on May 19 for “New Jersey Medical School – ARTS”, an exhibit on display in the Medical Science Building of UMDNJ in Newark from May through August. The artists – Jessica Evans, Luis Rodriguez and Cindy Shanks – had paintings in the exhibit, along with nine other Arts Access artists. Matheny is a special hospital and educational center in Peapack, NJ, for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities. Arts Access en-
From left, Arts Access director Eileen Murray, artist Cindy Shanks and Matheny president Steve Proctor.
Jessica Evans in front of her painting, “Trapped and I Can’t Get Out”
• Service learning projects such as Operation Shoebox, an organization that sends care packages to troops stationed overseas, and the Peapack Community Garden. • Authentic work experiences in Matheny’s in-house school café,
equipped with an adapted cash register, AbleNet and Point-of-Sale technology. • Community-based activities and structured learning environments such as the Bridgewater Township Library and the Gurukul Yoga Holistic Center, also in Bridgewater. “We’re constantly recreating ourselves,” Murphy says. “We do that by using professional learning communities. The one thing that sets this school apart is the team-based experience. It’s not just rhetoric; people are vested to make things happen. The tenacity and innovation here is second to none. I’m just lucky to be able to leverage the skills of people who are already here.”
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education & careers Youth Concussion Education Program held at Yogi Berra Museum On Monday, June 3, the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes at Barnabas Health and JAG Physical Therapy hosted an educational program about the dangers of concussions in youth sports at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls. During the event, David Diehl, Offensive Tackle for the New York Giants and two-time Super Bowl Champion, gave parents, coaches, athletic trainers and athletic administrators a first-hand perspective on concussions and its effect on professional athletes. He spoke about NFL concussion safety measures and its impact on concussion awareness in youth sports. “Concussions can have devastating life-long impacts. As a player, you have to just stop and think – What’s more important – sitting out for the rest of the game – or sitting out for the rest of your life?” said Diehl, official spokesperson for Barnabas Health’s Morahan Center. “We all have to do our part to speak out to educate parents, coaches and athletic administrators to know and be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions,” he said. “We all have to do whatever we can to protect our youth players.” Diehl was joined by John Gallucci, Jr., Medical Coordinator for Major League Soccer and President/Founder of JAG Physical Therapy, and Diana Toto, Program Coordinator for the Matthew J. Morahan Center who reviewed the warning signs and symptoms of concussions. According to Gallucci, a concussion can occur as a result of a direct blow to the face, head or neck or elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head. “Any child suspected of having a concussion should seek immediate medical attention or follow-up with their physician. Symptoms may worsen with increased physical or cognitive load on the brain,” he explained.
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Pictured left to right: John Shumko, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes; David Diehl, NY Giants Offensive Tackle; John Gallucci, Jr., President/Founder of JAG Physical Therapy; and Diana Toto, Program Coordinator for the Morahan Center
Toto reviewed the most common symptoms of concussions including: headaches or pressure in the head, nausea or vomiting, balance problems or dizziness, double or blurry vision, sensitivity to light and/or noise, feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy, concentration or memory problems, confusion, or just not feeling right.
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Toto also reviewed post-concussion management and returnto-play protocols, concussion screening, and tips to help young athletes play in a safe environment. For further information about the Matthew J. Morahan Health Assessment Center for Athletes, please call (973) 322-7913 or visit www.BarnabasHealth.org/Morahan.
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
Page 23
Hunterdon Healthcare Awarded an “A” for Patient Safety by Hospital Safety ScoreSM
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Hunterdon Healthcare was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety ScoreSM by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national non-profit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. The Hospital Safety ScoreSM was calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D, or F for their safety. “We received an ‘A’ rating in spring and fall of 2012 and are pleased that we have maintained this score. The entire workforce of nearly 3,000 caregivers who represent Hunterdon Healthcare places patient safety first and foremost in their performance every day. Our ‘A’ rating represents a commitment to quality healthcare outcomes that meet not just our standards, but national ones,” stated, Robert Wise, President and CEO of Hunterdon Healthcare. “It’s The Leapfrog Group’s goal to give patients the information they need and deserve before even entering a hospital,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.
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Patient Safety is everyone’s responsibility at Hunterdon Medical Center. The nursing staff, who recently were re-designated with Magnet Status for providing exceptional nursing care, are part of the team that helps to keep patients safe each day.
“We congratulate the hospitals that earned an ‘A’ and we look forward to the day when all hospitals in the U.S. will earn the highest scores for putting patient safety first.” To see Hunterdon Healthcare’s scores as they compare nationally
and locally, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org, which also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay. People can also check their local
hospital’s score on the free mobile app, available at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org. Calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group’s ninemember Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score
uses 26 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single score representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from infections, injuries, and medical and medication errors.
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July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
RESOURCE DIRECTORY ARCHITECTURE
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Bernstein & Associates, Architects Founded in 1990, Bernstein & Associates, Architects, specializes in the design and construction of hospital and healthcare facilities. Our focus: high-quality design, excellent service, and client satisfaction. We have worked for over 100 hospitals and another 200 private healthcare facilities, across the United States. Our project types have included all hospital and healthcare service groups, including: Adult Day Care, Alcoholism Treatment Facilities, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Assisted Living, Cancer Centers, Cardiac Cath, Cardiology, CCU/ICU, Clinics, Coronary Care, Dental, Dermatology, Dialysis Clinics, Doctors Offices, Drug Treatment Facilities, Elder Care, Employee and Student Health Support Services, Emergency Departments, Emergency Preparedness, Endoscopy, ENT, Expert Witness, Group Practices, Hospices, Hospitals, Infectious Disease, Information Systems, Intensive Care, JCAHO Survey, Joint Commission Survey, Laboratories, Master Plans, Medical Offices, Medical Equipment, Medical Libraries, Medical Records, Neurology, Nursing Homes, Ophthalmology/Eye Center, OB/Gyn, Orthopedic, Pain Care Facilities, Pathology, Patient Safety Consulting Services, Pediatric, Pharmacy, Physical Fitness and Sports, PT/OT, Primary Care Programs, Psychiatric, Radiology, Rehabilitation, Senior Citizen Facilities, Sleep Centers, Social Services, Statement of Conditions, Surgical Suites and Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Urgent Care Centers, and USP 797 Consulting Services. The firm's projects have won design awards from Progressive Architecture, Architectural Record, and the Architectural Woodworking Institute, and have been published in Advance, Health Facilities Management, Medical Technology Today, Bio/Technology, Progressive Architecture, Architectural Record, Design Solutions, Hospitality Design, Sound and Communication, Contract Design and Hospital Newspaper. Architectural Services include: programming, planning, design, construction documents, bidding and negotiation, and construction administration. The firm also offers sustainable or “green” healthcare design. The firm has a number of LEED-accredited professionals, has successfully completed numerous green healthcare projects, and has published articles on “Greening the Healthcare Environment”. Project Management (or Owner’s Representative Services) is offered as a stand-alone service through our affiliated project management company, Empire Projects, Inc. (www.empireprojects.com). Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC 1201 Broadway - #803, New York, NY 10001 Contact: William N. Bernstein, AIA Managing Principal Tel: 609-309-7005 Fax: 609-309-7006 wb@bernarch.com NEW YORK - HARTFORD - PRINCETON
The Wedgie Pelvic Exam Wedge provides fast, comfortable pelvic exams in the ER, Radiology, SANE and Women’s Health. It is a much more comfortable than using a hard bedpan. The 6" height of the Wedgie lifts the patient's pelvis significantly higher then a bedpan, thus allowing physicians to perform a better exam. The Wedgie’s unique cutout design allows the physicians to maneuver their speculum in all directions without interference. The Wedgie support patients weighing up to 350 lb. It is made of a medical grade foam and an anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and stain resistant medical grade vinyl cover. It can be cleaned with standard disinfectant products. Optional: disposable one-time use protective covers and room wall holders are available.
COMMUNICATION SkILLS Aspirin for Your Language Headache! When nurses, administrative staff and technicians speak a different language than patients and their families: •
Patients may not be able to understand simple questions or directions.
• Hospital staff may not be able to give or get important information from caregivers or family members. • Employees may not understand proper protocol and procedures. On your site on your schedule: • Spanish for Healthcare
12 Windsor Drive Eatontown, NJ 07724 www.tskproducts.com Phone: (732) 982-1090 Fax: (732) 389-9044 Email: sales@tskproducts.com
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• Accent Reduction (Pronunciation Improvement) • Communicating Across Cultures
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MED★EXCEL USA Providing Emergency Medicine Excellence for over 20 years EMERGENCY MEDICINE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Physician Owned and Managed Award winning Customer Relations Program Continuous Quality Improvement Risk Management Innovations Cost Containment Measurable Outcomes EMERGENCY MEDICINE SERVICES CONSULTATION SERVICES Customer Satisfaction TeamBuilding/Staff Development Conflict Mediation ED Systems Analysis PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SERVICES Hospital and Physician Billing/Coding/Auditing/Consultation MED★EXCEL USA
• Business Writing Skills • Sign Language Please contact Marie Buchanan at 800.563.6384 Ext. 249 mbuchanan@medexcelusa.com all inquiries are confidential
• ESL (Basic/Advanced) Connect with Leading Healthcare Recruiters Join BlueSteps, the executive career management service of the Association of Executive Search Consultants Healthcare executives are in demand. Are you being considered for the top leadership jobs? Join BlueSteps today to put your resume and confidential careerprofile at the finger tips of over 8,000 of the world’s top executive recruiters, including hundreds who specialize in healthcare and life sciences recruiting. In addition to a unique connection to the executive search community, BlueSteps also provides a suite of proactive career management tools including: • a free resume review and career consultation • access to the International Executive Search Firm Directory • exclusive information on hundreds of active executive searches • online brand management tools • career management content and events specifically for senior-level executives As a service of the Association of Executive Search Consultants, you can rest assured that your career details will be confidentially and securely managed within BlueSteps. Unlike other mass job boards, only the highest caliber executive search consultants (all members of the AESC) will have access to your BlueSteps profile. Each year, AESC members recruit for over 70,000 of the highest level executive positions globally, many of which are never advertised publically.
CONTRACT/PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
...and more Language Directions can help doctors, nurses, technical, and administrative staff to communicate more effectively between each other, patients, and their families
www.languagedirections.com Contact Donna Clark 1-888-554-8848 donna@languagedirections.com
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“Removing language and cultural barriers to effective communication”
Contact Jim Stankiewicz to find out how your organization can be featured in our Resource Directory.
845-534-7500 ext.219 Fax: 845-534-0055
Online Directory available at www.hospitalnewspaper.com
HOME MORTGAGES Gateway Funding specializes in mortgage options to the healthcare industry. We understand the nuances involved with obtaining mortgages for physicians, nursing staff, residents, or general staffing. You’re busy, we know it. Your unique, we get it. You need financing for a home, we provide it. One call or email to our experienced, licensed and fully trained loan officers, will put your mind at ease. We can provide No Cost Pre-Approvals prior to looking for a home, and highly competitive rates and fee’s once you do find your dream home!
Frank Mancino, Branch Manager NMLS#133472 3564 Quakerbridge Rd Hamilton, NJ 08620 877-583-3562 fmancino@gatewayfunding.com www.TheMancinoTeam.com
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
PAGE 25
PSE&G and Trinitas Regional Medical Center complete $3.7 million in energy efficiency improvements Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and Trinitas Regional Medical Center recently celebrated the completion of more than $3.7 million worth of energy efficiency upgrades to the hospital’s Williamson Street and New Point campuses. The improvements were made possible through the PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program, a $129 million effort by New Jersey’s oldest and largest gas and electric utility that is helping 29 hospitals to better manage their energy consumption. The upgrades will save Trinitas Regional Medical Center $390,000 annually in utility costs, or about $7.8 million over the 20 year lifespan of the new equipment. Improvements include updated heating and water cooling systems as well as the installation of state of the art lighting and energy management technologies. In addition to reducing energy bills, the upgrades will improve the comfort and convenience of Trinitas Regional Medical Center’s patients, staff and visitors. “PSE&G has a long-standing commitment to the communities that we serve, and our unique Hospital Efficiency Program epitomizes that commitment,” said Joe Forline, vice president – customer solutions for PSE&G. “Hospitals tend to anchor communities and they are a vital resource for the residents they serve. Our Hospital Efficiency Program is helping these institutions save money on their utility bills which frees up resources that they can better use for their core healthcare mission. And lower energy use translates into cleaner air for all of us to breath.” In addition to the dollar savings, the energy efficiency work at
Trinitas Regional Medical Center will conserve enough kilowatts hours of electricity annually to power 150 homes and the equivalent of 200 average size homes use of natural gas. “Trinitas is proud to be one of the recipients of the Hospital Efficiency Program,” says Gary S. Horan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas. “Our long-term commitment to cost saving measures has enabled us to run our facility with greater efficiency. As a partner in the vision of PSE&G, we foresee opportunities for Trinitas to continue our proactive approach to conscientious energy usage and management.” Through the Hospital Efficiency Program, PSE&G provides an investment-grade audit at no cost to the hospital, then proposes various cost effective energy conservation measures that will make substantial improvements in the hospital’s efficient use of energy with a payback period of less than 15 years. The program greatly reduces the financial burden on a hospital by providing up-front funding for the total cost of a project. The hospital then pays back a portion of the total project cost after the project is complete through its PSE&G bill at zero percent interest over 36 months. PSE&G’s Hospital Efficiency Program is unique. There are only four utility energy efficiency programs in the U.S. that target hospitals; among those programs, PSE&G’s is the only one in which the utility bears all of the upfront capital costs. For more information on Trinitas Regional Medical Center, visit: www.TrinitasRMC.org or call (908) 994-5138.
provided
From left, holding the ceremonial ribbon are Mike Savage, program manager, PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program; Nadine Brechner, Chief Development Officer, Trinitas; Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, Al Faella, Union County Manager; Commissioner Mary Anne Holden, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and CEO; Joe Forline, Vice President, Customer Solutions, PSE&G; State Senator Raymond Lesniak, and John Senkewicz, manager, PSE&G Business Service Marketing, who pooled together their energy for the ribbon cutting celebrating the improvements, made possible through the PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program, that will save Trinitas more than $390,000 annually in utility costs. The group is standing in front of boilers that received energy efficient upgrades as a result of the PSE&G initiative.
Hospital of the Month Hospital Newspaper highlights one hospital per month as the centerfold feature. Great way to get information about your facility to interested readers. For more details contact: GENERAL MANAGER
Jim Stankiewicz (Jim@hospitalnewspaper.com) 845-534-7500 ext 219
Raritan Bay Medical Center receives an “A” for Safety Raritan Bay Medical Center, with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, received an “A” grade for patient safety in The Leapfrog Group’s recently released Hospital Safety Score update. The Hospital Safety Score assigns an A, B, C, D or F letter grade to local hospitals based on its safety in preventing errors, infections, injuries and medication mix-ups. Compiled by the national organization focused on patient safety, the goal of the Hospital Safety
Score is to reduce the more than 180,000 yearly deaths from hospital errors and injuries by publicly recognizing safety andexposing harm. The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Score program grades hospitals on their overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. The grades are derived from expert analysis of publicly available data using 26 evidence-based, national measures of hospital safety.
Scan this barcode with your smart mobile device to see Hospital of the Month examples on www.hospitalnewspaper.com
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July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
RESOURCE DIRECTORY ExtEndEd cARE & ASSiStEd livinG dAUGHtERS oF iSRAEl Daughters of Israel is a multi-faceted, stateof-the-art skilled nursing facility offering the most modern and comprehensive services available including: • • • • • •
Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Long-Term, Skilled Nursing Care Alzheimer’s Care Hospice & Palliative Care Respite Stays The Charles Bierman Home Senior Housing with Assistance • The Sarah & Aaron Franzblau Institute for Continuing Education Our team of skilled and dedicated professional staff deliver the highest quality of care for our 300+ residents. Services provided include: round-the-clock professional nursing care; 24hour medical coverage by board-certified geriatricians; on-site synagogue with full-time rabbinical services; a full range of stimulating and innovative recreational activities; on-site beauty salon, barber shop, work activity center, gift shop and coffee shop; spacious dining rooms, auditoriums, lounges and outdoor patio areas. Our sub-acute rehabilitation facility, which functions as a separate unit within the Home, features a spacious gym with state-of-the-art equipment and comfortable recovery suites with luxury amenities. Semi-private and private rooms are available at Daughters of Israel. The facility is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurances and private payment. Daughters of Israel is a beneficiary agency of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, N.J. 1155 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052 www.doigc.org Contact: Adena Twersky, Director of Admissions Tel: 973-400-3307 Fax: 973-731-8364 atwersky@doigc.org
HoSPitAlS BERGEn REGionAl MEdicAl cEntER, l.P. Located in Paramus, Bergen Regional Medical Center is the largest hospital in New Jersey dedicated to serving the residents of Bergen County and surrounding communities. With 1000+ beds and 1,500 staff members, the hospital specializes in Behavioral Health Services, which include child and adolescent, adult and geriatric psychiatric treatment. Long Term Care Services provides a scope of services, which far exceeds that offered in a standard nursing home. As a full service accredited medical center, we provide wound care, surgical care, cardiac care, rehabilitation services, respiratory care unit which includes ventilator dependent residents, Korean care services and an acute care unit all under one roof for our residents. The hospital excels in the treatment of substance abuse. The hospital offers detoxification, 21-day rehabilitation program, outpatient services, and treatment for the mentally ill and chemically addicted. Our Acute and Ambulatory Services offers same day surgery, medical and specialty clinics and state-of -the-art operating suites. www.bergenregional.com Tel. 201-967-4000
MEdicAl BillinG Cape Medical Billing (CMB) is your single source billing provider for curing undetected “revenue leakage” that plagues today's healthcare practices. CMB has been in business for 22 years and is uniquely qualified to help your medical practice reverse “revenue leakage” with fast, efficient, innovative and customized billing programs. We offer personalized and cost effective service with 92.9% of charges paid upon the first submission! We accomplish this everyday by utilizing our “state of the art” billing software and paying close attention to critical detail used to match and process data. We also pride ourselves on significantly reducing days in accounts receivable by deploying aggressive and consistent follow-up procedures. Our technology, expertise and personal approach drive our billing practices and produce unparalleled results for our clients. Are you currently doing billing in house and considering outsourcing? No problem, we can integrate our technology with your current EMR software package and help you convert your medical services to consistent cash flow! Our billing specialties: Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Podiatry, Family Practice, General Surgery, Pathology, Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, OB/GYN, Neurosurgery, Urology, Trauma Surgery, PT/OT, Mental Health and Ambulance. We're the experts...STOP risking your money and profit by collecting it yourself, or utilizing a billing company with less experience. We collect the HARD Stuff and we do it every day! Call for a FREE Billing Analysis to detect and solve your revenue leakage! Contact: Richard Papperman, CEO/President of Cape Medical Billing Office: 609-465-8900 rich@capebilling.com or Sherrii Brentari Director of Sales and Marketing Cape Medical Billing sherrii@capebilling.com 609-465-8900
nEW PRodUct tEcHnoloGY
WoRKERS’ coMPEnSAtion HoSPitAl WoRKERS HAvE YoU BEEn inJUREd on tHE JoB?
NO Calibration & NO Drops Icare® Tonometers for measuring Intraocular Pressure (IOP) with unique, patented rebound technology which enables quick and painless measurement with no drops or air. Quick, easy to use and patient friendly. The technology requires no calibration. From beginning to end the test takes under 60 seconds. Icare® has over 32,000 satisfied users in over 50 countries.
Contact: Bob Goldbacher (609) 412-2134 bob@visioninstruments.net
contact Jim Stankiewicz to find out how your organization can be featured in our Resource directory.
845-534-7500 ext.219 Fax: 845-534-0055
Online Directory available at www.hospitalnewspaper.com
Learn What You Must Do To Protect Your Workers' Compensation And Disability Rights! Do Not Make These Mistakes That Can Cost You Benefits
1. You must report the accident or injury as soon as possible, even if you might not lose time from work or need immediate medical care. 2. Report all injuries to all body parts, no matter how minor they may seem. If you do not report it and the injury gets worse over time, the job may deny benefits. 3. Remember, you are entitled to treatment and benefits even if you have previously injured the same body part in a prior accident. Do not let the job tell you different. 4. Your doctor controls the treatment, not risk management. If you need an MRI and the job will not approve it, the experienced attorneys at BAGOLIE FRIEDMAN can fight to get it approved at no cost to you. 5. When you are released from treatment, you may be entitled to money for your injury and disability. You may also collect for repetitive stress, cumulative trauma, cancer, hearing loss & hepatitis. 6. Contact Attorneys Ricky Bagolie or Alan Friedman now for a confidential and free consultation and to discuss your workers' compensation and disability rights. There is no fee if there is no recovery cAll toll FREE 1-866-333-3529 (After Hours / Emergency Number 201-618-0508) BAGoliE FRiEdMAn, llc Workers' compensation & disability Attorneys The Five Corners Building 660 Newark Avenue - Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 656-8500 790 Bloomfield Avenue - Clifton, NJ 07012 (973) 546-5414
www.bagoliefriedman.com
HQ Location: Cape Medical Billing 5 Locust Lane P.O. Box 670 Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 Office: 609-465-8900 Fax: 609-463-8106 www.capebilling.com
apparatus Campbell Supply company www.campbellsupplyco.com expositions Abilities Expo www.abilitiesexpo.com financial Institutions Healthcare Employees Federal Credit Union www.hefcu.com home care specialists Comprehensive Home Care www.homecarenj.com hospitals Children’s Specialized Hospital www.childrens-specialized.org Matheny Medical & Educational Center www.matheny.org
internet address directory Meridian Health www.meridianhealth.com medical equipment & products TSK Products, Inc. www.tskproducts.com
Hospital Newspaper - NJ July, 2013
PaGe 27
NO Calibration & NO Drops Icare速 Tonometers for measuring Intraocular Pressure (IOP) with unique, patented rebound technology which enables quick and painless measurement with no drops or air. Quick, easy to use and patient friendly. The technology requires no calibration. From beginning to end the test takes under 60 seconds. Icare速 has over 32,000 satisfied users in over 50 countries.
Contact: Bob Goldbacher
(609) 412-2134
bob@visioninstruments.net
PAGE 28
July, 2013
Hospital Newspaper - NJ
Calling All Emergency Responders
When every second counts... Count on NitroMist
®
NitroMist provides fast, effective symptom relief. NitroMist provides a consistent dose with each metered spray.* NitroMist offers secure storage, ensuring potency for up to 36 months from date of manufacture.† Available in 90 & 230 spray bottles. For product samples, patient educational material, and the NitroMist ER Box (Shown), Go to: www.NitroMistPro.com Now covered on UnitedHealthcare. Check with your GPO for low contract pricing. For additional information, please contact us at info@akrimax.com BRIEF SUMMARY NitroMist® (nitroglycerin) lingual aerosol Rx Only INDICATIONS AND USAGE– NitroMist is indicated for acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. CONTRAINDICATIONS– PDE5 Inhibitor Use: Administration of NitroMist is contraindicated in patients who are using a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), as PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil have been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. Severe Anemia: NitroMist is contraindicated in patients with severe anemia. Increased Intracranial Pressure: NitroMist is contraindicated in patients with increased intracranial pressure. Hypersensitivity: NitroMist is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to it or to other nitrates or nitrites. Skin reactions consistent with hypersensitivity have been observed with organic nitrates. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS– Tolerance: Excessive use may lead to the development of tolerance. Only the smallest number of doses required for effective relief of the acute anginal attack should be used. As tolerance to other forms of nitroglycerin develops, the effect of sublingual nitroglycerin on exercise tolerance, although still observable, is reduced. Hypotension: Severe hypotension, particularly with upright posture, may occur even with small doses of nitroglycerin. The drug should therefore be used with caution in patients who may be volume-depleted or who, for whatever reason, are already hypotensive. Hypotension induced by nitroglycerin may be accompanied by paradoxical bradycardia and increased angina pectoris. The benefits of NitroMist in patients with acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure have not been established. If one elects to use NitroMist in these conditions, careful clinical or hemodynamic monitoring must be used because of the possibility of hypotension and tachycardia. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Nitrate therapy may aggravate the angina caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Headache: Nitroglycerin produces dose-related headaches, which may be severe. Tolerance to headaches occurs. ADVERSE REACTIONS– Headache, which may be severe and persistent, may occur immediately after nitroglycerin use. Flushing, drug rash and exfoliative dermatitis have been reported in patients receiving nitrate therapy. Postural hypotension, as manifest by vertigo, weakness, palpitation, and other symptoms, may develop occasionally, particularly in erect, immobile patients. Marked sensitivity to the hypotensive effects of nitrates (manifested by nausea, vomiting, weakness, diaphoresis, pallor, and collapse) may occur at therapeutic doses. Syncope due to nitrate vasodilatation has been reported. DRUG INTERACTIONS – PDE5 Inhibitors: Administration of NitroMist is contraindicated in patients who are using a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil have been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. The time course and dose dependence of this interaction have not been studied, and use within a few days of one another cannot be recommended. Appropriate supportive care for the severe hypotension has not been studied, but it seems reasonable to treat this as a nitrate overdose, with elevation of the extremities and with central volume expansion. The use of any form of nitroglycerin during the early days of acute myocardial infarction requires particular attention to hemodynamic monitoring and clinical status. Antihypertensives: Patients receiving antihypertensive drugs, beta-adrenergic blockers, and nitrates should be observed for possible additive hypotensive effects. Marked orthostatic hypotension has been reported when calcium channel blockers and organic nitrates were used concomitantly. Labetolol blunts the reflex tachycardia produced by nitroglycerin without preventing its hypotensive effects. If labetolol is used with nitroglycerin in patients with angina pectoris, additional hypotensive effects may occur. Aspirin: Coadministration of aspirin and nitroglycerin has been reported to result in increased nitroglycerin maximum concentrations by as much as 67% and AUC by 73% when administered as a single dose. The vasodilatory and hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin may be enhanced by concomitant administration of aspirin. Tissuetype Plasminogen Activator (t-PA): Intravenous administration of nitroglycerin decreases the thrombolytic effect of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Plasma levels of t-PA are reduced when coadministered with nitroglycerin. Therefore, caution should be observed in patients receiving nitroglycerin during t-PA therapy. Heparin: Intravenous nitroglycerin reduces the anticoagulant effect of heparin. Activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) should be monitored in patients receiving heparin and intravenous nitroglycerin. It is not known if this effect occurs following single nitroglycerin doses. Ergotamine: Oral administration of nitroglycerin markedly decreases the first-pass metabolism of dihydroergotamine and subsequently increases its oral bioavailability. Ergotamine is known to precipitate angina pectoris. Therefore, patients receiving sublingual nitroglycerin should avoid ergotamine and related drugs or be monitored for symptoms of ergotism if this is not possible. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS– Pregnancy: Pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction and teratogenicity studies have not been conducted with NitroMist or nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. It is also not known whether NitroMist can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. A teratogenicity study was conducted in the third mating of F0 generation female rats administered dietary nitroglycerin for gestation day 6 to day 15 at dose levels used in the 3-generation reproduction study. In offspring of the high-dose nitroglycerin group, increased incidence of diaphragmatic hernias and decreased hyoid bone ossification were seen. The latter finding probably reflects delayed development rather than a potential teratogenic effect, thus indicating no clear evidence of teratogenicity of nitroglycerin. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. NitroMist should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether nitroglycerin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when NitroMist is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of nitroglycerin in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of NitroMist did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other rep-
Not Actual Size
orted clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly (greater than or equal to 65 years) and younger (less than 65 years) patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. OVERDOSAGE– Signs and symptoms of hemodynamic effects: The effects of nitroglycerin overdose are generally the results of nitroglycerin’s capacity to induce vasodilatation, venous pooling, reduced cardiac output, and hypotension. These hemodynamic changes may have protean manifestations, including increased intracranial pressure with any or all of persistent throbbing headache, confusion, and moderate fever; vertigo; palpitations; tachycardia; visual disturbances; nausea and vomiting (possibly with colic and even bloody diarrhea); syncope (especially in the upright posture); dyspnea, later followed by reduced ventilatory effort, diaphoresis, with the skin either flushed or cold and clammy; heart block and bradycardia; paralysis; coma; seizures; and death. No specific antagonist to the vasodilator effects of nitroglycerin is known, and no intervention has been subject to controlled study as a therapy of nitroglycerin overdose. Because the hypotension associated with nitroglycerin overdose is the result of venodilatation and arterial hypovolemia, prudent therapy in this situation should be directed toward increase in central fluid volume. Passive elevation of the patient’s legs may be sufficient, but intravenous infusion of normal saline or similar fluid may also be necessary. The use of epinephrine or other arterial vasoconstrictors in this setting is not recommended. In patients with renal disease or congestive heart failure, therapy resulting in central volume expansion is not without hazard. Treatment of nitroglycerin overdose in these patients may be subtle and difficult, and invasive monitoring may be required. Methemoglobinemia: Methemoglobinemia has been rarely reported with organic nitrates. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients who exhibit signs of impaired oxygen delivery despite adequate arterial PO2. Classically, methemoglobinemic blood is described as chocolate brown, without color change on exposure to air. If methemoglobinemia is present, intravenous administration of methylene blue, 1 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg of body weight, may be required. NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY– Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Animal carcinogenicity studies with sublingually administered or lingual spray nitroglycerin have not been performed. Rats receiving up to 434 mg/kg/day of dietary nitroglycerin for 2 years developed dose-related fibrotic and neoplastic changes in liver, including carcinomas, and interstitial cell tumors in testes. At the highest dose, the incidences of hepatocellular carcinomas was 52% compared to 0% in untreated controls. Incidences of testicular tumors were 52% vs 8% in controls. Lifetime dietary administration of up to 1058 mg/kg/day of nitroglycerin was not tumorigenic in mice. Nitroglycerin was found to have reverse mutation activity in the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1535 (Ames assay). A similar mutation in S. typhimurium strain was also reported for other NO donors. Nevertheless, there was no evidence of mutagenicity in an in vivo dominant lethal assay with male rats treated with oral doses of up to about 363 mg/kg/day or in ex vitro cytogenic tests in rat and dog tissues. In vitro cytogenetic assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells showed no chromosomal aberrations. In a 3-generation reproduction study, rats received dietary nitroglycerin at doses up to about 408 mg/kg/day (males) to 452 mg/kg/day (females) for 5 months (females) or 6 months (males) prior to mating of the F0 generation with treatment continuing through successive F1 and F2 generations. The highest dose was associated with decreased feed intake and body weight gain in both sexes at all matings. No specific effect on the fertility of the F0 generation was seen. Infertility noted in subsequent generations, however, was attributed to increased interstitial cell tissue and aspermatogenesis in the high-dose males. PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION– Interaction with PDE5 Inhibitors - NitroMist should not be used in patients who are using medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. These products have been shown to increase the hypotensive effects of nitrate drugs such as NitroMist. Administration - Patients should be instructed that prior to initial use of NitroMist Lingual aerosol, the pump must be primed by pressing the actuator button 10 times to ensure proper dose priming. If the product is not used for more than 6 weeks, the bottle can be adequately re-primed with 2 sprays. NitroMist is meant to be sprayed on or under the tongue at the beginning of angina or to prevent an angina attack. Treatment with nitroglycerin products such as NitroMist may be associated with lightheadedness on standing, especially just after rising from a laying or seated position. This effect may be more frequent in patients who have consumed alcohol, since alcohol use contributes to hypotension. If possible, patients should be seated when taking NitroMist. This reduces the likelihood of falling due to lightheadedness or dizziness. Headache - Headaches can sometimes accompany treatment with nitroglycerin. In patients who get these headaches, the headaches may indicate activity of the drug. Tolerance to headaches develops. Flushing - Flushing, drug rash and exfoliative dermatitis have been reported in patients receiving nitrate therapy. Container information - The NitroMist bottle should not be forcefully opened. Because NitroMist contains a highly flammable propellant (butane), do not have the container burned after use and do not spray directly towards flames. While the container is in the upright position, if the liquid reaches the top to middle of the hole on the side of the container, a new supply should be obtained. When the liquid reaches the bottom of the hole, the remaining doses will have less than label content. Manufactured for Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, LLC E Cranford, NJ 07016 by Dynamit Nobel GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany E Marketed and Distributed by: Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Cranford, NJ 07016 USA NitroMist is a registered trademark of NovaDel Pharma Inc., used by permission. 141B002 10/2012
*Priming NitroMist: After receiving a new prescription or refill, patients should remove the plastic cap, place forefinger on actuator button, and press 10 times. NitroMist is now primed for 6 weeks and ready to use. If not used for more than 6 weeks, the NitroMist bottle can be adequately reprimed with 2 sprays. † Store at room temperature (25°C, 77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-85°F). NitroMist is a registered trademark of NovaDel Pharmaceuticals, LLC., used by permission.
©2012 Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, LLC., Cranford, NJ 07016 October 2012 NTR-145T