MDNews - Long Island

healthcare system. The Nationwide Warriors is presented by the Patient Safety Authority, an independent state agency based in Pennsylvania. Northwell's patient safety award recognizes a pilot program initiated in operating rooms at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. It extended across the perioperative service line. The program uses remote video auditing to ensure compliance with elements of the World Health Organization surgical safety checklist for enhanced patient safety. "We are honored to receive this award for the project, which was a team effort," says Mark Jarrett, MD, Senior Health Advisor for Northwell and former Chief Quality Officer for the health system. "Surgical checklists have been promoted for over 10 years, but like all checklists, just checking the box does not achieve the culture of safety we want. The innovation of using real-time video monitoring of the time-outs helped drive engagement by the operating room staff with this safety protocol. When used appropriately, real-time monitoring produces an environment in the operating room where patient safety is everyone's job." The I AM Patient Safety Awards are judged by national and regional healthcare executives, patient safety advocates, and patient representatives from government and universities. The Patient Safety Authority was founded in 2002 by the Pennsylvania Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act. Catholic Health's St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center earned prestigious three-star overall ratings in several cardiac surgical categories from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Three stars for overall quality is the highest rating awarded. St. Francis received three stars for aortic valve replacement (AVR), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mitral valve repair and replacement (MVRR), AVR plus CABG, and MVRR plus CABG. The hospital also received three stars for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from STS and the American College of Cardiology. Historically, only 4%–8% of participants receive a three-star rating for AVR, about 20% of participants receive a three-star rating for CABG and only 4%–7% of participants receive a three-star rating for AVR plus CABG, according to STS. These ratings are part of the organization's public reporting initiative that began in 2010 and is voluntary. St. Francis's participation highlights the hospital's continued dedication to transparency and to offering patients the best cardiac care in the New York metropolitan area. "These top ratings from STS affirm St. Francis Hospital's expertise in cardiac care," says St. Francis President Charles L. Lucore, MD, MBA. "Our dedicated team of board-certified surgeons are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care using the latest treatments available." Led by Co-Directors Newell Robinson, MD, and George Petrossian, MD, St. Francis performs more TAVR procedures than any other hospital on Long Island. "These three-star STS ratings assure patients that our team and outcomes are exceptional. We have the expertise to provide solutions specific to their conditions," Dr. Robinson says. Dr. Petrossian adds, "I'm proud to work with an elite team of physicians who played a major role in St. Francis earning three-star ratings. This award demonstrates that we offer world-class treatment that allows our patients to return home safely." The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Report analyzed data from participants over a three-year period, from July 2018 to June 2021, the most recent reporting data period available. The ratings are calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures. The high marks from STS are the latest in a long line of honors received by St. Francis for its cardiac care. U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Francis a top hospital for cardiology and heart surgery. Additionally, the hospital was ranked as high performing in aortic valve surgery, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure and TAVR. Catholic Health continues to increase access to the quality care provided by St. Francis cardiologists through the expansion of the St. Francis Heart Center across Long Island. Current locations include Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown. Eight months to the day after her successful heart transplant, Nanci Kurz returned to Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital, joined by doctors and members of her transplant team, to urge women to keep close watch on their cardiac health. Kurz, a 55-year-old resident of Oakdale, Long Island, began her journey to heart health four years ago when she suffered a major heart attack. Kurz wanted to use the occasion of Women's Heart Month to join forces with all the doctors, surgeons, nurses and transplant coordinators who brought her back to health. Eight months to the day of her heart transplant surgery, Nanci Kurz urges women to monitor their heart health and keep up with all necessary tests. From left: Samit Shah, MD, Zachary Kon, MD, and Nanci Kurz "I hope my presence here today will serve as a catalyst in urging women to keep a close watch on their cardiac health," Kurz says. "I do consider myself to be a walking miracle — that's true. That's why I'm hoping everyone will listen to my story. Please don't be afraid. Get regularly scheduled tests and screenings. It's up to us to take care of ourselves." ■ Share your story in the next issue of MD News. For consideration, please email your press releases to Press@LexMediaGroup.com. M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S L O N G I S L A N D ■ 2 0 2 2 2 9

• Cover