www.RUMCSI.org September 2014

CHRONICLE

On July 30th the Richmond University Medical Center Foundation Board hosted its first Clam Bake fundraiser, which honored the legacy of Dr. Anantham Harin.

More than 240 members of the nursing staff, senior management, medical staff, and community were in attendance. Drs. Wick and Fernandez shared memories of their colleague Dr. Harin, while Dr. Lemma presented his widow, Nirupa, with a plaque recognizing his dedica-tion. Dr. Lemma shared that the NICU’s success began with Dr. Harin, who is known to his friends as Hari, “He was the one who initiated the protocols about 30 years ago. He was such a a great clinician — he would foresee issues before they happened.” RUMC is a member of the Vermont Oxford group, which gathers data from 900 NICUs in the U.S. and Europe. Statistics from 2012 show a 99.6% survival rate, one of the highest in the region.

All the proceeds that were raised from the event went toward improvements in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. For more images from this event please see page 6.

A PUBLICATION FOR EMPLOYEES, PHYSICIANS, TRUSTEES, AND VOLUNTEERS OF RICHMOND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

In August, Richmond University Medical Center gained approval from the New York State Department of Health to convert the existing diagnostic cardiac catherization labora-tory to a PCI-capable cardiac cath lab. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as coronary angioplasty or simply angioplasty, is a non-surgical procedure used to treat the stenotic (narrowed) coronary arteries of the heart found in coronary heart disease. “PCI approval builds upon the hospital’s robust cardiology service line, and one that has a rich history of excellence,” shares Dan Messina, Ph.D., President & CEO.

Foundation Hosts First Annual Clam Bake to Benefit the NICU

Dan Messina, Ph.D., President & CEO, Dr. Richard Grodman, Director of Cardiology, Kathryn Rooney, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Samala Swamy, Director of the Catheterization Lab.

Erika Hellstrom, VP of Development and Executive Director of the foundation, Dr. Teresa Lemma, Director of Pediatric Residency Program and foundation board member, Tom Sipp, Chair of the foundation board, Dr. Nirupa Harin, Kathryn Rooney, Chair of the hospital board, and Daniel Messina, Ph.D., President & CEO.

PCI Approval Announced in Cardiac Catheterization Lab

History of Cardiology Firsts:

First Coronary Care Unit - 1967;

First Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory - 1977;

First Electrophysiology Program - 1990;

First Cardiology Fellowship Program - 1976

First Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump - 1982;

First Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

President’s Update

In August, we witnessed new changes taking place all

throughout the Medical Center. The New York State

Department of Health approved the transition of our

current diagnostic cardiac catherization laboratory to

a PCI-capable cardiac catherization laboratory. This is

instrumental in our presence throughout the commu-

nity to demonstrate that we are here to serve by deliv-

ering on our mission to reduce health disparities day

in and day out by providing equal access to state-of-

the-art clinical services. I would like to thank our

board of trustees, senior administration, physicians,

and last but not least, our committed staff throughout the organization

who always places the patients first in all that they do.

Vince Lombardi once said, “perfection is not attainable, but if we chase

perfection we can catch excellence.” We all know the road to excellence is

a journey not a destination. I am blessed to share a wonderful testimonial

that exemplifies the excellence that each of you possess. Please the

adjacent letter, which I share not only to recognize members of our team

but to share the examples of excellence that led to Ms. Samofal’s

exceptional patient experience.

Remember the power of one, you make a difference.

Message from the President & CEO Daniel J. Messina, Ph.D., FACHE, LNHA

Daniel J. Messina, Ph.D., FACHE, LNHA

Page 2

A Patient Shares Gratitude

Dear Daniel J. Messina,

I want to tell you about my wonderful experience I

had as a patient at your hospital. From the moment

that I had checked into the hospital to the moment

that I was discharged, I was treated with the utmost

respect, care, and professionalism by absolutely

every individual that was assigned to care for me

during my last stay at your hospital.

While in labor and delivery, I was treated by the

following nurses: Tina Stone, Donna D’Apolito, and

Nicole McLean. During my stay in maternity, I was

treated by the following nurses: Elizabeth Clark,

Toniann Molloy, Eva Pando, Robin Pomerance,

Eileen Fiore, Doreen Gaffney and nurse assistant

Marilon Barcia. As you can tell from the list above,

I was impressed with the care that I was provided

with and that I requested a list of all the above indi-

viduals that had cared for me in order to write this

letter to the hospital administrators.

Here are some examples of the excellent service that

I received from your nurses:

1. When I was first checked into the hospital, the

nurse that greeted me told me that if there was

anything I needed to get comfortable to let her

know;

2. I asked for a pillow and some water and she

brought it to me right away without keeping me

waiting for it for hours;

3. Every nurse that was assigned to me came in to

introduce herself and came in to tell me that she

was being replaced by the next shift’s nurse

when the time came;

4. When I told my nurse that I was hot, she

brought me over an ice pack;

5. When I told the nurse that I was in pain, an

anesthesiologist was paged right away;

6. They checked in on me frequently;

7. They were always pleasant and smiling;

Continued next page

Healthcare professionals have a moral and ethical responsibility to pro-

tect the privacy of patients and as mandated by federal law (HIPAA).

Remember to speak quietly while discussing a patient’s health in public

areas. Provide a quiet, private area for sensitive information exchange.

Avoid using names or other identifying information when conversing.

Never discuss your patients with your friends and family members.

Patient data is safe at Richmond University Medical Center and we

remind you to keep their privacy a priority.

Our Community

Board of Trustees Spotlight Pietro Carpenito, M.D.

Dr. Pietro Carpenito is the Executive Vice President of Richmond University Medical Center and one of its founding board members, where he continues to serve on various board committees, including Finance, Strategic Planning and Joint Conference Commit-tee. Dr. Carpenito’s ongoing leadership has contributed to the increased physician recruitment and retention as well as in quality improvements in the Peri-Operative Services Division. He is a member of various committees in the organization, including Medical Executive Committee, Hospital-wide QA, the Critical Care Committee, the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, the Credentials Committee and the CME Committee. Dr. Carpenito is clinically active as Chairperson of Anesthesia Department, a position he has held for the past 10 years. Dr. Carpenito is a graduate of the Universita degli Studi di Pisa Facolta di Medicina, Chirurgia, Italy. He is a member of the American Board of Anesthesiologists, New York State Society of Anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiology, International Research Society, SAMBA, the Richmond County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Dr. Carpenito has also been honored numerous times for his commitment to the community, most recently as a recipient of the United Hospital Trustee of the Year, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Achievement Award.

Gina began volunteering in 1989. She

started out bringing a candy cart to

patient rooms and volunteering in

the gift shop, which at the time was

staffed by volunteers. This led to her

becoming a member of the St.

Vincent’s Hospital Auxiliary shortly

thereafter.

Through the decades she has grown more and more

dedicated to the patients and people of the hospital. Her

commitment and dedication continues as the newly elected

president of the Auxiliary.

In addition to her work with the RUMC Auxiliary, Gina also

volunteers with several other groups in the New York Met-

ropolitan area to knit items for both the pediatric patients in

the hospital and throughout the community as a whole.

Do you know a great volunteer? Nominate them to be our Volunteer of the Month

email info@rumcsi.org or call x2103.

Volunteer Star of the Month

Gina Perotta

Page 3

Continued

They were patient in answering all my questions; and most

importantly, they never made me feel like they were doing me a

favor by taking care of me, they were doing their job and ap-

peared to really enjoy doing it. I feel obligated to say a few

words about my doctor Rita Shats, who delivered my child and

who has privileges at your hospital. She was as patient with me

during my pregnancies as she was while I was delivering.

My improved physical condition came in very handy with a

newborn child. Furthermore, although, I did not get the anesthe-

siologist’s names, they were both exceptional as well. The ini-

tial anesthesiologist that put the epidural in came very soon after

I requested the epidural. He patiently explained the process to

me before doing anything and answered all my questions. He

came to check up on me before the end of his shift. The next

anesthesiologist, came to check up on me at the beginning of his

shift and adjusted the concoction because I was beginning to feel

uncomfortable. He adjusted the concoction several times before

I delivered, and seemed to be available almost instantly upon

request. Then there is the premises. My room was exceptional!

It was like staying in a hotel rather than the hospital. I just

wanted to thank you and your staff for the wonderful experience

and overall great service that you provide.

Sincerely,

Ms. Samofal

Quality & Patient Care

Page 4

Influenza Season is Upon Us

As a reminder, Richmond University Medical Center is

required to document the influenza vaccination status

of all personnel for the current influenza season in each

individual’s personnel record or other appropriate

record. All department heads and or managers will

maintain a record of vaccination for their employees

and ensure that all personnel not vaccinated against

influenza for the current influenza season wear a surgi-

cal or procedure mask while in patient care

areas. RUMC will supply flu vaccines or masks to per-

sonnel, free of charge.

To satisfy this mandate unit managers are going to be

asked to oversee their particular group of healthcare

workers and be responsible for the submission of

completed (signed) screening forms from their

group. Influenza screening forms will document

whether the vaccine was received or declined (with

reason). Unit managers will be expected to act as Cham-

pions and encourage vaccination. All influenza vaccina-

tion forms are available on the intranet under the infec-

tion control dropdown and hard copies will be available

in the nursing office.

Employees who receive the influenza vaccine outside of

their units (EHS or PODS) will bring their screening

forms sent to them for documenting compliance.

Department and unit managers will maintain a list of all

their staff and submit a completed list after all their staff

has complied. Once an employee has submitted their

form and has been marked as compliant, the forms can

be sent to EHS for archive. All vaccinated employees

will receive a sticker with 2014/2015 date stamp which

should be displayed on the employee’s identification

card. The sticker is required to have the signature of

the unit manager or the signature of the personnel

administering the vaccine.

We have developed policies and procedures to imple-

ment this requirement to ensure compliance with the

provisions. All unvaccinated employees will be required

to wear masks starting Monday December 1, 2014 or

when NYSDOH deems influenza widespread, which ever

date comes first. Influenza vaccination is scheduled to

begin Monday September 8, 2014 in employee health

services and on the nursing units and continue through-

out the influenza season or until the NYSDOH no longer

designates the influenza season as widespread.

HCAHPS Scores

The Cause and Effect

Flow to HCAHPS Press Ganey February-April May-July Large PG DP 942 RUMC Peer Group 14

2014 2014

Scores Increased % %

Rate Hospital 1-10 47 51

Recommend the hospital 50 50

COMM UNICATION WITH NURSES 71 74

Nurses treat with courtesy/respect 79 80

Nurses listen carefully to you 66 70

Nurses explain in way you understand 68 72

RESPONSE OF HOSPITAL STAFF 58 61

Call button help soon as wanted it 60 56

Help toileting soon as you wanted 56 66

COMMUNICATION WITH DOCTORS 74 79

Doctors treat with courtesy/respect 79 86

Doctors listen carefully to you 72 79

Doctors explain in way you understand 72 73

HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT 51 57

Cleanliness of hospital environment 58 63

Quietness of hospital environment 44 50

PAIN MANAGEMENT 67 66

Pain well controlled 62 63

Staff do everything help with pain 72 69

COMMUNICATION ABOUT MEDICINES 58 62

Tell you what medicine was for 76 75

Staff describe medicine side effect 41 49

DISCHARGE INFORMATION 75 76

Staff talk about help when you left 66 66

Information regarding symptoms/problems to look for

84 87

Most Improved Unit Award

Senior Vice President Joseph Conte, Chief Operating Officer Rosemarie Stazzone, Clare Styles, & President

Daniel Messina at Management Forum

Congratulations to Clare Styles and her entire team for being the most improved unit for July 2014.

July rate hospital was 71.4, cleanliness 92.9% represent-ing the highest scores ever for medical/surgical unit in the hospital’s history! Thank you to everyone for their hard work and commitment!

Human Resources

Dr. Francesco Rotatori Named Associate Director of the

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Dr. Francesco Rotatori joins the hospital as an

interventional cardiologist, having recently

completed an interventional cardiology fel-

lowship at SUNY Downstate-UHB, where he

also completed his cardiology fellowship train-

ing. Board-certified in internal medicine, nu-

clear cardiology and echocardiography, Dr.

Rotatori earned a degree in Medicine and

Surgery from Universita´ degli Studi in Milan,

Italy. He completed his Internal Medicine

residency at New York Medical College - Richmond University Medical

Center where he served as Chief Resident from July 2009 - June 2010.

Fluent in English, Italian and with a knowledge of Spanish, Dr. Rotatori

will provide all aspects of cardiac care, consultation and instruction at

Richmond University Medical Center. Beginning late July, Dr. Rotatori

will welcome private patients at Amboy Medical Center and at the

Brooklyn Office.

Employee Ice Cream Social

Sangita Parab Staff Physician

Donna Dantonio Clinical Data Specialist

Nubia Contreras Anesthesia Tech

Lina Leykina Staff Physician

Joseph LaBarbera Building Services

Steven Rivera Security Officer

Ashwini Achar Resident

Emmei Abdelsayed Respiratory Therapist

Warren Weiner Respiratory Therapist

Melissa Conte Nursing Assistant

Devan Labarbera Nursing Assistant

Johanna Figueroa Nursing Assistant

Ineesha Jones Nursing Assistant

Crystal Willacy Nursing Assistant

Nicolette Orcchio Registered Nurse

Myra Villanueva Registered Nurse

Alyssa Christie Registered Nurse

Jocelyn Mendiola Registered Nurse

Theresa Orecchia Registered Nurse

Brittany Brown Unit Clerk

Giana Abbruzzese Transporter

Febia Jackson Ultrasound Tech

Page 5

Welcome August New Hires

In the Community

Page 6

Clam Bake to Benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

President and CEO Dan Messina was nominated by

Tony Ferreri, SIUH President, on Wednesday and

took the challenge the following day. Staff gathered

around him on the lawn to cheer him on with their

cell phones ready to record! Borough President

James Oddo and Staten Island Advance editor Brian

Laline were on hand to deliver the icy cascade. ALS,

commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a dis-

order of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,

which control voluntary muscle movement. After

completing the challenge, Messina nominated

Melissa Rabinovich, of NY1

News, Dr. Mansoor Khan,

Chair of Emergency Medicine;

Dr. Philip Otterbeck, Chief of

Endocrinology, as well as Dr.

Michael Mantello, Chair of

Radiology. To see, the videos of Dan Messina and his nominees,

scan the QR code or visit our social media sites!

President & CEO Dan Messina Takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

In the Community

Senator Savino’s Back to School Blast

Radiology Expands with PACS System

School Supplies for Pediatric Patients

Knitting for Babies & Children

Throughout the summer, RUMC employees and community members

made generous donations of back to school items. On Monday, August

18th, Andrew Burt, Stefanie Racano, Farah Proce, Kara DeRosa, Jennifer

Lemmelle, Trish Abbruseze, and Carol Pisapia distributed the school sup-

plies and backpacks to children at the pediatric clinic at 800 Castleton

Avenue. The children and parents were so grateful for the items. Kohl’s

Associates in Action provided volunteers to help at the event, making it a

success. Thank you to all employees and friends who donated school

supplies.

A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a medical imaging

technology which provides economical storage of and convenient access to,

images from multiple modalities. Electronic images and reports are trans-

mitted digitally via PACS; this eliminates the need to manually file, retrieve,

or transport film jackets. Combined with available and emerging web tech-

nology, PACS has the ability to deliver timely and efficient access to images,

interpretations, and related data. PACS breaks down the physical and time

barriers associated with traditional film-based image retrieval, distribution,

and display.

The hospital’s outreach team was in the community at Senator Diane

Savino’s Back to School Blast on August 15th in Stapleton’s Tappen

Park. A special feature of our outreach at this great event was shared

by Rosa Driscoll, RN who presented information on breast cancer

screening and education. The breast cancer community outreach is

part of the hospital’s Susan G. Komen grant.

We thank our community members who continue to donate handmade

blankets for babies and children in the hospital. The time and attention

given to each blanket is clear, and we are so grateful for the volunteers

who take the time to share with our patients and their families. In col-

laboration with our social media campaign, #RUMCBaby, we have had

several community members share their personal photos of their chil-

dren enjoying these beautiful gifts!

Page 7

Chronicle September 2014

Emergency Planning Exercise

On July 9th, a tabletop exercise was conducted with representa-

tives from various departments including, but not limited to

Emergency Department, Nursing, Security, Behavioral Health,

Operating Room, Pharmacy, Radiology, Surgery, Laboratory,

Patient Access, Trauma and Safety. The discussion was based on

several simulated explosions that took place at a construction site

at the Bayonne Bridge. The goal was to evaluate our hospital Inci-

dent Command System and our Emergency Operations Plan to

identify gaps within our existing system. Issues identified during

the tabletop exercise will be evaluated further during our future

full scale exercise.

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

Hosts

Ebola and Ebola Mimics

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Presented by David J. Cennimo, M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine & Pediatrics

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

For more information, contact Jennifer Dominguez at x3106

Join the RUMC Team at the

24th Annual Komen Greater New York City

Race for the Cure®

Sunday, September 7th, 2014 For details, contact Rosa Driscoll at 718-818-1141

September 11th Memorial

On September 11th, please join us for

a memorial event to honor those lost

on September 11, 2001. The memo-

rial will take place at 12 noon at the

remembrance garden facing the Villa

building.

Save These Dates!

RUMC’s Community Baby Expo

On October 13th, the hospital is host-

ing a community baby expo! The time

and location are being finalized.

If you would like to participate,

please contact Andrew Burt at x2100.

#RUMCBaby