Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1464713
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval and the American Stroke Association's Heart-Check mark for Primary Certification. To achieve the Primary Stroke designation, the hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review. During the visit, a team of reviewers from The Joint Commission conducted observations and interviews and evaluated compliance with certification standards that show hospitals are providing the critical elements needed to achieve long- term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients. The Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. "Primary Stroke Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care," says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive, The Joint Commission. "We commend Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients." "We congratulate Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for this outstanding achievement," says Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, the American Stroke Association. "This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients." "Our hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients," says Fredric I. Weinbaum, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. "Our programs and resources feature a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients who are admitted to the emergency department, which allows for better outcomes." Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Stroke Team, from left: (First row) Monina Baldo, RN; Lisa Dellipizzi, RN; Deborah O'Brien, RN; Samantha Pullium, RN; (Second Row) Rose Paul, RN; Darin Wiggins, MD; Janet Woo, RN; Catherine Baccelliere, RN; Olga McAbee, MD The Joint Commission's designation is in addition to SBSH having been recognized by the New York State Department of Health as a Primary Stroke Center every year since 2007. In 2021, 99 Primary Stroke Centers statewide were designated with the mission of improving the standard of quality and access to care for patients with a presumptive diagnosis of stroke. The Emergency Medical Services community also plays an important role in the implementation of these Primary Stroke Centers, as it does with state-designated Trauma Centers. Cardiac care at Mather Hospital took another step forward this week with the opening of the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab to assess and repair the heart's electrical system and diagnose abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmia). "The Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab is an exciting addition at Mather Hospital that expands our ability to provide comprehensive cardiac care to all our patients," says Rajat Goyal, MD, EP Lab Director. "The EP Lab allows us to perform implants of all kinds, from common devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators to advanced technologies such as leadless pacemakers, subcutaneous defibrillators, and conduction system pacing. We also treat common rapid arrhythmias such as supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter via a procedure called catheter ablation. The addition of EP services at Mather Hospital complements our top-notch Cardiac Consultation and Interventional Cardiology teams to provide the best cardiac care for our patients." Nicole Hoefler, BSN, RN, CVN, Nursing Director for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, says the Lab's staff have been trained at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital in addition to undergoing in-house electrophysiology education with Dr. Goyal. Theresa Nicosia, NP, an experienced electrophysiology nurse practitioner from North Shore University Hospital, also joined Mather's staff, Hoefler says. The EP Lab is part of Mather's Cardiac Catheterization Lab, which opened in May 2021 and performs procedures 24/7 to visualize the heart's arteries and chambers and treat any stenosis or other abnormality. Northwell's patient safety award recognizes a pilot program initiated in operating rooms at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Northwell Health has received the 2022 I AM Patient Safety, Nationwide Warriors award for excellence in perioperative surgical care. The honor recognizes the advancements, outcomes and commitment to patient safety made by the Local News 2 8