GEMS - September 2022

Gems

Exceptional Lives Here.

Volunteers and golfers help raise some serious green at the 31st Annual Healey Brothers Golf Classic.

L to R: Nora Killeen, Jane Dever, William Dauster, and Mary Murphy

Quality Corner

What Is a High Reliability Organization?

In healthcare, a High Reliability Organization (HRO) strives to prevent failures and provides consistent high-quality care while continually improving clinical outcomes. Safety and effective communication are top priority.

The main goal of an HRO is to recognize potential failures before they occur to quickly intervene and prevent harm. To meet this goal, leadership support and commitment is necessary. Creating an open-door policy where staff feel comfortable reporting errors and near misses will prevent repeat failures by everyone. Regular check-ins with staff and patients increase operational awareness and help to identify areas that need process improvements. There are several ways for staff to report errors and near misses: in person to a leader, through the Midas RDE system, to Quality Services for a case review or to Corporate Compliance. Staff should never feel uncomfortable reporting an issue.

It is important to note that some reported events will require a root case analysis (RCA) to be conducted. A group of individuals will work together to identify the failure in sequence and determine if it could have been prevented, as well as seek opportunities for improvement. All who were involved in the event will be included. Their knowledge and expertise are instrumental to the RCA.

Policy and procedure will be updated or reinforced, if needed, because of the RCA. This is an opportunity to learn and improve. To ensure accountability and transparency, serious events are reportable to the state, with RCA findings and process improvement plans included.

Healthcare organizations dedicated to limiting failures and who identify as an HRO must create a culture where all staff take ownership in preventing harms and feel empowered to speak up. This creates change and leads to improved outcomes. HROs stand by the slogan, “If you see something, say something®” and strive to be a “no harm” organization. This results in continually improving practices and policies that ensure communities receive safe, exceptional care.

If you have any questions about HROs, reporting errors or near misses, please email Susanne Neenan, MSN, RN-BC, at sneenan@garnethealth.org.

Garnet Health Medical Center Named 2022 Recipient of the Healthgrades Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award™ and Labor & Delivery Excellence Award™

Special congratulations to our inpatient OB-GYN and Labor and Delivery teams for achieving these prestigious Healthgrades honors for the fourth year in a row (2019 – 2022)!

This distinction places Garnet Health Medical Center among the top 10% of hospitals in the country, evaluated by Healthgrades, for overall OB-GYN care and Labor and Delivery.

Garnet Health Medical Center is the only hospital in Orange County, New York, to achieve both the OB-GYN and Labor & Delivery Excellence Awards for 2022.

Garnet Health Medical Center also achieved a 5-star rating in Vaginal Delivery for eight consecutive years (2015 – 2022), and a 5-star rating in C-section Delivery for six years in a row (2017 – 2022).

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center Receives Patient Satisfaction Award

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center recently received RestorixHealth’s Patient Satisfaction Award for meeting and/or exceeding a patient satisfaction score of 96% or higher over a set period. RestorixHealth is the nation’s leading wound-care solutions company.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center is dedicated to optimizing outcomes and preventing lower-limb loss in patients with nonhealing wounds. The approach to wound care is aggressive and comprehensive, coordinating traditional and advanced therapies and techniques that are proven to reduce healing time and improve healing rates.

The center is staffed with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and technicians with advanced training in wound care and hyperbaric medicine. Integrating a team of wound-care professionals optimizes patient care, while offering the most advanced healing options.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center’s staff. L to R: Andrew Knauer, DO; Nicole Peters, RN; Christina Ferguson, FDC; Gregg Atlas, DPM, DABPS, CWS, Medical Director; Jennifer Johnston, BSN, RN, Program Director; Angelika Harrison, LPN; Paul Joyce, FNP; Jill Cappa, Physician and Community Liaison; and Lonny Rosenfield, DPM.

LeeAnn Hubbert was recently selected as the August Employee of the Month for going out of her way to provide clothing to an inpatient subacute rehab patient in need. She took the patient’s dirty clothing home to wash, dry and fold, and then returned it the next day. LeeAnn also asked her family members to donate articles of clothing. She was able to give the patient several bags of like-new clothing, in their size, to wear at the hospital and then keep after being discharged. The patient was extremely appreciative for the “new” wardrobe!

Thank you, LeeAnn, for going above and beyond for our patients. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are truly inspirational!

Good Catch!

Presented to Colleen Corcoran, Phlebotomist.

A Good Catch occurs when someone’s corrective action and/or timely intervention prevents an incident or medical error. The Patient Safety Subcommittee judges the nominees. For more information about the Good Catch Award, email Vice President, Quality/Patient Safety Officer Mary Ellen Crittenden at mcrittenden@garnethealth.org.

Garnet Health Medical Center: Ian Martinez, Patient Transporter

Ian Martinez was recently selected as the August Employee of the Month for running to the aid of a distressed individual who quickly pulled up to the ED and jumped out calling for help. The individual’s female passenger was experiencing labor pains. Ian raced over and helped the female into a wheelchair. Within moments, her water broke and she went into full labor. Ian rushed the expecting mom inside to the ED’s Red Zone, where nursing took over. The baby was born an hour later.

Thank you, Ian, for all you do to care for our patients! Your outgoing and engaging way helps everyone feel comfortable and supported.

Garnet Health Medical Center-Catskills

The Employee of the Month program is also known as the Being Exceptional Every day (BEE) Award—and Being Exceptional Every day takes dedication, loyalty and commitment. To nominate an employee, physician, volunteer or team/department, visit the intranet page, scroll down and click on the BEE Award icon.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills: LeeAnn Hubbert, BSN, RN, 4 East Medical Unit, Callicoon Campus

L to R: Suzanne Lange Ahmed, VP Patient Care & CNO; Jerry Dunlavey, COO; Colleen Corcoran (recipient) Phlebotomist; Megan Burr, Director of Laboratory Operations; and Michael Joseph, Core Lab Manager.

Wellness Word of the Month RELAX

ri-ˈlaks (verb) To rest and allow yourself to become calm

“Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So, relax!” — Bryant McGill

Life can get hectic. At any given moment, we are pulled in more than one direction—and often several at a time. So many things compete for our time and attention that we often find ourselves stressed out and tired from trying to stay on top of everything. That is why it’s so important to take time for yourself and relax.

When you exist in a state of relaxation instead of one of stress, your mind and body begin to heal, expand, and energize. It restores and revives positive energy and rids itself of negative energy. Relaxing helps us to better handle everyday stress.

Here are some tips:

• Start your day with relaxation exercises. Breathe in and out a few times.

• For 30 minutes every day, focus on your physical fitness. Enroll in Zumba, attend classes at the gym or find another enjoyable way to stay fit.

• Detach from any thought process while relaxing. Focus on the present. Close your eyes and think of a beautiful place with colors and sounds like moving water or birds chirping.

• At work, take a few breaks and relax in the healing garden or a quiet space in a room.

• Music relaxes and soothes your mind. Play your favorite tunes and step away from the task at hand for a few short minutes.

• Gardening, painting, dancing or any activity you find enjoyable will help you relax.

• After work, plan to take an hour break from screen time. This includes your phone, TV and computer.

• Once a week, plan an outing or a social hour with friends whom you can laugh with and relax. This helps you detach your mind from any stressors.

• Nature is a great healer. A daily walk outdoors or a vacation in nature is great for your mind and body.

• Spend more quality time with your loved ones and pets.

• Activities like baking, dancing, singing and watching a movie with your children also helps bond with them and can relax everyone.

Hectic lifestyles and being in a state of stress will cause emotional and physical burnout. Take control of your physical and emotional health by relaxing.

“I regret relaxing,” said No One Ever!

Anjana Poonthota, MD, MPH, FAAP, is Medical Director, Garnet Health Women’s and Children’s Services Program and Pediatrics, and Director of Wellness, Garnet Health. She is enthusiastic about sharing tips about our health and wellness.

On Monday, September 26th , the Garnet Health Foundation hosted its 31st Annual Healey Brothers Golf Classic.

Two hundred and twelve golfers took to two courses, Tuxedo Golf Club and Mansion Ridge Golf Club, for a successful fundraising round of golf that raised nearly $ 300,000 for The Every Minute Counts Campaign which will help to fund the Emergency Department expansion at Garnet Health Medical Center.

Our sincere thanks and gratitude goes out to our 25 volunteers, those who purchased raffle tickets, all golfers and those who attended the awards dinner.

TOURNAMENT WAS A SWINGING SUCCESS!

SMART TV: Jay Anthony

NINTENDO SWITCH OLED: Aryen McNett, Employee

GLAMPING EXPERIENCE: James Bannon

GOLF: Kiana Simonson, Employee

BASKET OF APPLES: Tiffany Tyler, Employee

RUSHMORE ESTATES:

Will Scheuermann, Employee

CRYSTAL SPRINGS: Carleigh Drake Kidd, Employee

APPLE WATCHES: Jaclyn Pritchard, Employee

LAKE PLACID WEEKEND: Ed Boles

Katie Correa,

Mary Ellen Crittenden,

Alport,

Garnet Health Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Team Presents at National Conference

The GHMC 4 East Clinical Team took part in the Sigma Theta Tau International 33rd Nursing Research Congress 2022 from August 3 – 5, 2022, where the research study, Continence Care: A Transdisciplinary Integration of Association of Rehabilitation Nursing Tools In-patient and Beyond, was presented. The study research examiners were June Maniaci, BSN, RN, CRRN; Nora Higgins, BSN, RN, CMSRN; Ann McEnroe-O’Connor, MBA, PT; Ebony M. Samuel-Bakpessi, MSNEd., RN, NPD-BC; Sadhana Subramanian, BSN, RN, CRRN; Carmella Pistone-Halpern, MA, CRRN, NEA-BC; and Sharon Geidel, DNP, RN, RN-BC.

The team is aware of the impact that continence care – also known as bladder and bowel health management – has on a patient’s quality of life. This need encourages them to work consistently to incorporate continence management as part of daily activities to ensure patients’ goals are met for a successful and safe discharge. With the emphasis on restorative patient-guided continence programs, the team’s goal is to ensure that the patient and family prepare for a complete discharge.

Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills Receives Generous Donation

The Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills welcomed a very generous in-kind donation of therapeutic and diagnostic equipment, fixtures and furniture for Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills from a long-time neighbor, Dr. Barry Scheinfeld, MD, Catskill Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine.

Established in 1986 and located next to the hospital on Harris-Bushville Road in Sullivan County, Catskill Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine recently closed its practice.

Contributions like this assist us in continuing to expand our programs while offering the very best in healthcare. Our success would not be possible without the generous support of the many individuals and businesses who believe in the mission and vision of our organization.

Outpatient physical therapy programs are offered at both the Harris and Callicoon campuses.

For more information about our programs and how to donate, please visit garnethealth.org.

L to R: Ebony M. Samuel-Bakpessi, Nora Higgins, June Maniaci, and Carmella Pistone-Halpern.

Flu Season Is Here! Vaccinations Now Available!

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) requires all healthcare workers (clinical and nonclinical) to receive an influenza vaccination (flu shot), or wear a surgical or procedure mask for the entire flu season, which is determined by the NYSDOH. As a NYSDOH mandate, failure to comply will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Dates and times for offsite location visits will be announced soon. Occupational Health will also be rounding to all areas throughout the vaccination period.

The 2022-2023 Influenza Vaccine Consent Form, Declination Form and the Vaccine Information Sheet are available on the Intranet under Occupational Health.

If you have special needs, please contact Occupational Health at 333-2060 to schedule a special appointment or to obtain any additional information.

By November 18, 2022, Occupational Health must:

1. Administer your flu shot,

2. Receive formal documentation that you received your flu shot, or

3. Receive your signed declination for a flu shot

Occupational Health will be giving FREE flu shots at:

The Middletown Campus, Occupational Health Office

Monday – Friday 7:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

The Harris Campus, Occupational Health Office

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

and

Farewell to our Family Medicine Residents who recently graduated‚ and hello to our current Family Medicine Resident Class! Welcome to the Garnet Health family!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

October Recognition Days

Garnet Health is committed to being an inclusive organization that supports growth and innovation by providing an environment where employees, patients and visitors feel they belong. We also recognize that more diverse backgrounds among our staff and providers contributes to better patient care. Please help share in acknowledging the following national and or worldwide recognitions.

OCT 1

Global Diversity Awareness Month

Aims to promote knowledge and respect for various cultures.

OCT 10

Indigenous Peoples Day

Formerly known as Columbus Day, honors the indigenous people of North America.

OCT 24

Diwali

The festival of lights, is a significant celebration in the Hindu faith, which praises the diversity of deities.

OCT 1

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Advocates for people with disabilities and their inclusion in the workforce.

OCT 6

National Depression Screening Day

Aims to bring awareness in helping people suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders and to encourage screening.

OCT 18

Kati Bihu

Cultural holiday in northern India’s state of Assam that signifies prosperity and hope for a brighter future.

OCT 21

Spirit Day

Supports LGBTQ+ youth and encourages speaking out against bullying.

OCT 28

National Immigrants Day

Celebrates the long history of welcoming immigrants from around the world.

OCT 31

All Hallows Eve

Internationally known as Halloween, recognizes Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs and all the departed.

Gallup Engagement Survey Launches October 10!

This is your opportunity to provide confidential feedback about the work environment. It only takes a few minutes!

Look for more information in the coming days.

Dress Down Days

Support the

27 th Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

It’s that time of year again to start registering teams and walkers for the annual American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Walk.

Employees | Family | Friends |Neighbors

Sunday, October 16, 2022 7:30 A.M.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets 498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley, New York 10917

Register your Garnet Health team or join an existing team at tinyurl.com/yukr9mvr

DRESS DOWN DAYS ARE BACK!

$20 gets you a Garnet Health Breast Cancer Walk Tee-shirt and participation in Dress Down Fridays on October 7, 14, and 21. For tee-shirt purchases contact:

Jessica Gerlach 333-1133 or jgerlach@garnethealth.org at Garnet Health Medical Center

Jodi Goodman 333-8785 jgoodman@garnethealth.org

Garnet Health Medical Center–Catskills

FREE Breast Cancer Screenings

Garnet Health will be offering free breast cancer screenings to the uninsured and underinsured, sponsored by the Community Health Department.

Look for more details shortly!

Garnet Health Medical Center

Ray W. Moody, MD Breast Center Saturday, November 5

8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills Radiology Department Saturday, November 12

8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

SAVE THE DATES!

Diabetes Prevention Program Kicks Off

This program will motivate and support people with prediabetes to make practical, real-life changes while decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half. To register, call 333-2705.

Group 1 Tuesday, October 4 Virtual class 4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Group 2 Wednesday, October 5 In-person or virtual class 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Community Health Education Center 420 East Main Street | Middletown

Group 3 Thursday, October 6 In-person class 11:00 A.M. – Noon

Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library | Monticello

Harris Campus Pop-Up

Farmers Market

Tuesday, October 4 • Tuesday, October 18 11:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. (rain or shine)

Cash, credit card, SNAP/EBT, FMNP and checks are accepted forms of payment.

Port Jervis

Farmers Market

Saturdays in October

10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. (rain or shine)

Hammond Street & Pike Street

Port Jervis, New York

October GHMC Auxiliary Vendor Sales

Vendors are located on the ground floor, in the conference center lobby unless otherwise noted.

Mary Kay Cosmetics

Nutz

Sew EZ

MojiLife

13 Kids’ Stuff

14 Mostly Silver

John’s Jewelry, Pavilion Café, 75 Crystal Run Road

Trade Connections

Trade Connections

19 Trade Connections

20 J & M Sterns Sports

Save on Sweats

27 Eleanor Jewelers

31 Sew EZ Creations

A percentage of vendor sales supports the Garnet Health Medical Center Auxiliary, a group of community volunteers dedicated to enhancing programs and services. Since 1975, the Auxiliary has given over $2 million to Garnet Health Medical Center.

Order Your Custom Garnet Health Apparel Today!

Shop the Garnet Health Store online at: https://ghmcgiftshop.buyproforma.com/#/

Proudly

Gems Newsletter

Produced by Garnet Health Marketing & Corporate Communications. For more information, email mmanheim@garnethealth.org or call (845) 333-2391. garnethealth.org