Teddy Bear Hospital Sunday August 4th Posted on July 31, 2019 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer invites you and your children to be part of our 2nd Annual Teddy Bear Hospital! Bring your teddy bear, doll or favorite action hero to Nathan Littauer to be “treated” by our expert staff. Created for children, the event will have interactive stations designed to make health care fun. The event will also feature EMS, Fire and Lifenet (helicopter services). This event is FREE and open to the public. Don’t miss out on this fun!Sunday, August 4, 20191pm-3pmNathan Littauer Hospital
NATHAN LITTAUER RECEIVES NEW ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION Posted on July 29, 2019July 29, 2019 by Dakota PikeDr. Frederick Goldberg and Christine Waghorn, celebrate the new certification!Nathan Littauer has achieved certification to the new ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, reflecting the hospital’s long-term commitment to quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction.The certification is valid for three years and is provided by DNV GL – Business Assurance.ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard, and has recently undergone a periodic update to better reflect modern business challenges. Last modified in 2008, the new 2015 version of ISO 9001 is the result of input from business and technical experts around the world. The program requires greater involvement of senior management, broader understanding of supply chains, and more focus on stakeholder (not just customer) expectations.Frederick Goldberg, M.D., Littauer’s Chief Medical Officer explained, “ISO 9001 can be a transformative tool for delivering quality healthcare. ISO 9001 can’t be delegated to a single manager or committee. It is a strategic approach recognized throughout our entire organization.” He added, “As the only local hospital with an ISO 9001 certification, I believe our hospital is transforming local healthcare. Additionally, the focus on continual improvement ensures that our focus on quality will endure for decades.”Christine D. Waghorn, Director of Performance Improvement at Littauer said she was ecstatic when she got the notification from DNV GL. She stated, “I agree with what is said in our industry about this designation: ‘ISO is quality on steroids.’” She added, “Nathan Littauer is continually improving our processes. It is a part of our culture. Our patients deserve that.”“We are extremely proud of our commitment to quality,” says Laurence E. Kelly, Nathan Littauer’s President and CEO. “Our ISO certification helps us continually move forward and, equally important, allows us to publicly communicate our dedication to excellence. It’s a symbol that everyone – our employees, our partners, our patients – recognizes and values.” About Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing HomeNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services to offer healthcare that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org. About DNV GL – Business AssuranceDNV GL – Business Assurance is part of the DNV GL Group, a world-leading certification body helping businesses assure the performance of their organizations, products, people, facilities and supply chains through certification, verification, assessment, and training services.For more information about DNV GL – Business Assurance, visit www.dnvglcert.com.
Nathan Littauer offers Cooling Center Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019 by Dakota Pike For the health, safety, and comfort of our residents, Nathan Littauer Hospital will open a Cooling Center this weekend in our cafeteria on our main campus. The Center will offer water and seating in an air-conditioned space. We are opening the Center to the public while we temporarily deal with the health effects of this weekend’s heat wave. Residents using the Cooling Center are encouraged to bring reading material, games, etc. to better enjoy the Center.The hours of the Cooling Center will be:Saturday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.These services are aimed at our patients and at-risk populations and those without air conditioning.Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.More information about heat-related illness can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html
Nathan Littauer Foundation 2019 Adirondack Challenge Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019 by Dakota PikeThe Nathan Littauer Foundation held their 16th Annual Adirondack Golf Challenge at Lake Pleasant golf course last Friday. Proceeds from the event will help fund the new Medical Arts Building being built on the NLH campus and renovate patient rooms.
Wellness Words July 2019 Posted on July 15, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Kidney Health What are the kidneys and why are they important?The kidneys are two bean–shaped organs located below the rib cage that lay on each side of the spine. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), these organs are part of the urinary tract and play an important role in filtering blood and removing waste from the body. Healthy, properly functioning kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood every day or about a half cup every minute.The kidneys work to remove acid produced by the body and aid in maintaining a normal balance of water, salts and minerals like sodium and calcium in your blood. If this balance is disrupted, nerves, muscles and other tissues in the body may not work properly. Aside from filtering blood and removing waste, the kidneys also make hormones that help control blood pressure, make red blood cells and keep bones strong and healthy.Common Kidney Problems Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure are two common health problems involving the kidneys. The NIDDK defines chronic kidney disease as a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and unable to filter blood and eliminate wastes properly. Often, this disease gets worse over time and can lead to a buildup of waste in the body.Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to function and is usually diagnosed when kidney function has dropped below 15% percent of normal ability. If kidney failure occurs, a person usually requires treatment to replace the job of the kidneys. Treatment may include some form of dialysis where a machine filters the blood, or a kidney transplant to replace a damaged kidney with a healthy one.Keeping Your Kidneys HealthyYou are more likely to develop kidney disease if you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, so it’s important to prevent and manage these conditions. To keep your kidneys healthy, the NIDDK recommends:Making nutritious food choices – Choose heart healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, cut back on added sugars and reduce salt intake to no more than 2,300 mg per day.Add physical activity into your routine – Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity or more on most days of the week. If you are not currently active, make sure to check with your healthcare professional before starting a new activity routine.Maintain a healthy weight – This will aid in preventing many chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.Get enough sleep – Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night to allow your body to rest and recharge.Quit smoking – Talk with your healthcare provider and make a plan to stop smoking.Limit alcohol – Drinking alcohol can lead to weight gain and increase blood pressure. If you drink, limit yourself to one drink per day. This would equal about 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.Reduce your stress – Managing stress can help improve emotional and physical health. Try a yoga class or relaxation technique like deep breathing.Manage diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease – If you have any of these chronic conditions, it’s important to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check to prevent kidney damage. Talk with your healthcare professional about where your numbers should be and make sure to take all medications as prescribed.If you would like to learn more, attend a special program entitled ‘Kidney Health’ presented by Dr. Soo Gil Lee, Nephrologist of American Renal Associates Dialysis Center on July 24 in Littauer’s Auditorium.You are invited to join us for a buffet-style luncheon at 11:30 for $6 or attend the presentation only at 12 noon at no charge. To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120 or email healthlink@nlh.org. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
