MDNews - Long Island

Huntington Hospital was also recently recognized by The Joint Commission, a not- for-profit group involved in certifying medical programs, for its high-quality knee and hip replacement programs, earning the organiza - tion's highest-level distinction — the Gold Seal of Approval. Healthcare organizations are facing a mul- titude of challenges ranging from increased complexity of care and changing demo- graphics to evolving policies and regulatory burdens. This has created needs for rapid infrastructure expansion and the ability to function in a turbulent environment, all while increasing patient satisfaction. To meet such demands, Catholic Health Services (CHS) recently launched its Physicians at the Helm inaugural class. The system partnered with the advisory board to create this year-long leadership academy for physicians, which will address business skills and tools required in today's healthcare envi - ronment. The management skills they master will better prepare physicians for future healthcare challenges, creating a culture of collaboration that will allow other CHS physi - cians to cultivate leadership expertise. Catholic Health Services recently launched its Physicians at the Helm inaugural class. To help seniors stay healthy, Glen Cove Hospital and the Glen Cove Senior Center have teamed up to provide regular blood pressure screenings at the center. And, with the start of flu season nearing, they recently offered a day of free flu shots to area residents. "Flu vaccination is especially important for people 65 and older because they are at a high risk for complications from the flu," says Kevin Reiter, MD, Chief Resident of Glen Cove Hospital's Family Medicine Residency Program. "We are pleased to offer flu shots at the senior center at no charge to make getting a flu vaccine as convenient as possible." According to the CDC, it's estimated that between 80 and 90 percent of seasonal flu- related deaths have occurred in people 65 and older, and between 50 and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group. Physicians and nurses from Glen Cove Hospital and the Glen Cove Senior Center get together before seniors arrive for health services. St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center has been recognized for its dedication to patient safety by being awarded an "A" grade in the Fall 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital. This "A" grade is one of the most meaningful honors a hospital can achieve and one of the most valuable indicators for patients looking for a safe place to receive care. The hospital safety score is the gold standard rating for patient safety, compiled under the guidance of the nation's leading patient safety experts and administered by The Leapfrog Group, a national, independent nonprofit. Developed under the guidance of Leapfrog's Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single A, B, C, D or F score, representing the hospital's overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm. More than 2,500 U.S. general hospi - tals were assigned scores in October 2015, with 773 hospitals receiving an "A" grade. The Hospital Safety Score is fully transpar- ent, offering a full analysis of the data and methodology used in determining grades on the website. To see St. Catherine of Siena's full score and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit hospitalsafetyscore.org. John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson has been recognized for its patient-safety record with The Leapfrog Group's top "A" Hospital Safety Score for the eighth consecutive ratings period — making it the only New York State hospital to achieve that distinction. Mather is one of only 133 hospitals out of more than 2,500 ranked nationwide to have achieved an "A" grade in each of the twice-annual updates of the scores. The Hospital Safety Score rates how well hospitals protect patients from er - rors, injuries and infections. In the latest rankings, only 25 New York State hospitals received the top "A" grade. ■ +++++++++++++++++++ + +++ + +++ +++++++++++++++++++ LOCAL NEWS ❯ 2 2 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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