Nathan Littauer receives high marks, accreditation extended for entire service line,

including primary/specialty care centers

“The highest standards of health care”

Gloversville… Nathan Littauer Hospital was recently notified of the results of an unannounced on-site full survey conducted by The Joint Commission in February. The survey led to a three-year continuation of Littauer’s current full accreditation with the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

“At the close of our survey, the examiners said such glowing things about our facility. Based on their comments, we were filled with such a sense of pride for the Littauer System of Health Services.” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO. Adding, “Therefore we were not surprised to receive a continuation of our accreditation.”

Littauer’s Chief of Staff

The accreditation extends to the hospital and now also to their eight primary/specialty care centers. Nathan Littauer Hospital was first accredited in 1953. The Hospital voluntarily belongs to The Joint Commission. “This is a national standard every health care organization strives to meet. We are pleased The Joint Commission acknowledges our efforts to meet their high standards for health care quality and safety,” said Paul Perreault, MD Chief of Staff for Nathan Littauer Hospital. He said, “But our work is not done. Everyday, we strive to be better for our patients, even after surveyors have long gone.”

Littauer’s continuing accreditation by The Joint Commission follows an audit of actual delivery of patient-care services conducted in January of 2010. The survey team examined all facets of patient care from direct patient care to supporting teams, such as engineering and nutrition. “No stone was left unturned” commented Cheryl McGrattan Hospital Spokesperson. “Accreditation is a grueling process and speaks volumes about the level of care Littauer provides.”

“Our mission lives” said Diane Swartz, Director of Performance Improvement for Littauer. “This is an important milestone for us and proves we are doing our best to provide excellent care at Nathan Littauer Hospital”

“This important accreditation speaks to the level of care that Littauer provides,” said Wally Hart, President/CEO of the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He continued, “Our community continues to be proud of its hospital and what its staff has accomplished, and this announcement proves what we already know–Nathan Littauer Hospital provides the highest levels of quality and patient care.”

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization which evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Since 1951, The Joint Commission has maintained standards that focus on improving the quality and safety of care provided by health care organizations, and Joint Commission accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting those standards.

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Nathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton Counties Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed hospital, eight primary care centers, 84-bed nursing home and a community education center. The hospital opened 116 years ago, has 950 employees and recently opened a new Birthing Center. The hospital also opened a new Emergency Care Center this spring.

Littauer’s successful new micro site www.radiologyrevolution.com

eases fear of diagnostic procedures.

The Radiology Revolution is underway!

Gloversville, NY…If you scan the web you will see thousands of admissions: “I’m having my first MRI tomorrow I’M SCARED!” and “I am afraid of that dye for the CT scan.” or “Am I the only one who is scared to have an MRI?” and “I am 15 years old and I have to have an ultrasound. What are ultrasounds and what are they like?” or “I’m having my first mammogram tomorrow and I’m really scared. I’ve heard some women say it’s painful.” And there are countless more anonymous confessions. According to Patrice McMahon, Vice President of Primary Care Services for Nathan Littauer Hospital, “Doctors have so many diagnostic tools available to them and they are so effective in diagnosing disease. Unfortunately ordering a test may strike fear into even the savviest patient.” McMahon, added, “And these admissions of fear are not typically heard during a doctor’s visit.” According to Cheryl McGrattan Hospital spokesperson, “We found that people are not only afraid of the test results but of the procedure itself. When I heard a nurse practitioner state that she was nervous about her upcoming MRI, I knew Nathan Littauer’s diagnostic team could play a central role in alleviating patient concern.”

The answer? In 3 short months the hospital developed a new microsite aimed at subsiding fear while touting their diagnostic capabilities: www.radiologyrevolution.com. It is a site developed specifically for patients and doctors. Patients can read a patient story, ask a question, do some research and they can even see an exam. They can “meet” the technicians; they can learn about how a radiologist is trained, see the equipment and meet the radiologists at Nathan Littauer Hospital. “I think the most useful piece of the site is the videos.” stated Cheryl McGrattan. The site has 9 of the most popular diagnostic exams available to view. Each bears a title such as: “A CT scan. What to expect.” The doctor portal allows practitioners to read up on all the hospital’s capabilities, see where exams can be fulfilled and link directly to the Diagnostic Imaging Team. The site also has hyperlinks to frequently used physician and patient resources.

A site for anyone who needs a diagnostic test

The goal? “The goal is to create an information portal” explains Cheryl McGrattan. Mike McBiles, MD was recently named the head of the Diagnostic Team at Littauer. He states, “I’ve worked many places in the U.S. and I can honestly say Nathan Littauer is state-of-the-art.” He added, “I am thrilled to have this tool available to not only our patients and doctors but for anyone who would like more information about their exam. This team and this equipment is worth bragging about.”

Department Secretary Priscilla Pearson, a Diagnostic Imaging Team member for 22 years, is excited about this tool stating, “Patients come in and do not understand what is going to happen to them. They ask if they are going to need an injection for a dexa scan. They do not know what the equipment looks like.” She states, “The videos on Radiology Revolution are my favorite part. It does not look so scary when you can actually see it.”

“We have made significant investment in our diagnostic capabilities, spending almost 3.5 million since 2008.” stated Hospital President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly. “We have big city technology right here in Fulton County.” “Unfortunately,” he admits, “all the investment in the world does not do any good if someone is too afraid to go.” He added, “We even have a regular x-ray on Radiology Revolution- which is great for children to watch.” He concludes, “Our physicians or any physician for that matter will now be able to say, ‘I am sending you for PET SCAN, if you would like to see what the exam is like log onto radiology revolution.com’”.

According to Ms. McGrattan, “Microsites are very useful. Hospital websites can be huge and daunting. Radiology Revolution supplements our primary website: www.nlh.org, and allows us to focus on one thing: our fantastic diagnostic imaging capabilities.” The hospital also launched series of teaser billboards, explaining, “We can see right through you- www.radiologyrevolution.com”

Susan Kiernan Vice President of Development notes, “We do not want this tool to be limited to just our patients.” The site has been well received by physicians from around the region. Michael Katz, MD a family Practitioner from East Greenbush heard about the website and said, “I will use the site for my patients.”

According to Susan Kiernan, “The site is a huge success.” When the hospital loaded the videos on to You Tube they immediately started to get hits. She added, “I was amazed. People are hungry and clamoring for this information. We have gotten 1107 hits on these videos.” She concludes, “I am thrilled the world is using this tool.”

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Nathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton Counties Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed hospital, eight primary care centers, 84-bed nursing home and a community education center. The hospital opened 116 years ago, has 950 employees and recently opened a new Birthing Center. The hospital also opened a new Emergency Care Center this spring.

The Radiology Revolution is underway!

Children with health problems find a summer haven in

Fulton County for two weeks

Lifelong friendships started here

Gloversville, NY…“I am going to summer camp!” That is what Nathan Littauer Hospital wants every kid to be able to say, even those with medical conditions. And thanks to Camp SuperStarrs, that dream is coming true for many kids. This year, Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Camp SuperStarrs will be celebrating 31 years of bringing summer fun to children with health problems. The dates for this year’s camp will be July 19-23^rd, and the second session will take place July 26^th– July 30^th. The camp is held at Woodworth Lake’s Boy Scout Camp.

The program, available to children between the ages of 5 to 14, was lovingly created by Wayne McNeil, and Dr. David V. Clough. Susan McNeil stated, “They wanted to give children with health problems the opportunity to go to summer camp like other kids.” And for 31 years Camp SuperStarrs has done just that. Campers, whose health problems include asthma, diabetes, eating disorders and other conditions, participate in typical summer camp activities such as fishing, arts and crafts, swimming, and field sports. Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO of the Hospital agrees noting, “This program opens doors, and provides lasting friendships for children around this region. If you do not know about Camp SuperStarrs, you should. I could not be prouder of this program, and the commitment we have demonstrated to our region’s youth.”

Founded in 1979, the camp provides medical support and education to children in an Adirondack Camp. Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan notes, “Last year, one parent said to me, ‘Camp SuperStarrs was the only time I slept all year, because I knew my son was having fun and under medical care.’” Ms. McGrattan added, “Camp SuperStarrs is pure magic!” In addition to the fun programs, children are educated about their health conditions helping them gain awareness about the causes and controls of their situation. Mostly children are encouraged to participate at any level while enjoying a host of summer activities. As a rule, children are called “campers” and never “patients”. The campers experience can have a lasting effect as Susan McNeil points out, “Many of the campers form friendships that last well into their adulthood. And some of camp counselors started coming to camp as children.”

The camp is staffed with trained medical staff including a nurse and respiratory therapist from Nathan Littauer Hospital. “We couldn’t be as successful as we are without the Hospital’s support,” McNeil concludes. “The staff work very hard for two weeks making sure that the children are safe and happy from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. In addition to the staff who volunteer their time, the Hospital provides the food for the campers’ lunch and overnight stay.” Their one-week camping experience concludes with an overnight in tents that were donated by Ronald McDonald House.

For more information about Camp SuperStarrs call Susan McNeil at 773-5408.

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Littauer’s own Barb DeLuca was recently featured on WRGB news encouraging people with lung conditions to “get out and enjoy summer.” See the coverage here:

http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?videoId=91440756001&lineupId=1143371293&play=now

If you have any questions please contact our Respiratory THerapy Department at 518-773-5453