Nathan Littauer Received “generous gift” from Fraternal Order of Eagles Posted on September 26, 2012October 3, 2012 by Dakota PikeFrom Left to Right: Susan Kiernan, Vice President of Development for Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home; Maureen Phelps, State Trustee for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Harry Phelps, State Trustee for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, David F. Cook, State President for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.Recently David Cook, State President of the New York State Fraternal Order of the Eagles presented a check representing $10,390.33 worth of donations made to Littauer over recent months. “The Eagles have always been very kind to Littauer, particularly our Nursing Home.” stated Susan Kiernan Hospital Vice President of Development. She added, “We are very grateful for their generous gifts and continued support.”The Fraternal Order of Eagles, founded in 1898 in Seattle, Washington has a local aerie in Johnstown.From Left to Right: Susan Kiernan, Vice President of Development for Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home; Maureen Phelps, State Trustee for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Harry Phelps, State Trustee for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, David F. Cook, State President for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer’s Susan McNeil Serves as Statewide President to Professional Association Posted on September 25, 2012September 26, 2012 by Dakota PikeNew organization formed under her leadershipSusan McNeil lead statewide organzationGloversville, NY …Nathan Littauer’s Director of Volunteer Services, Susan McNeil recently finished serving a two-year term as President of the New York State Volunteer Services Administrators, Inc. The statewide organization’s mission is to promote and contribute to the principles and practices of sound administration of volunteer services in health care organizations, and to foster the professional development of its members. Susan McNeil’s term started in 2010 and ended recently when she handed the reigns over to Julie Chrysler. In her farewell address Susan noted, “You are a great group of men and women that I have had the pleasure of working quite closely with these past two years.”Under Sue’s tenure the organization changed their association name, secured their non-for-profit status, improved their financial status and bottom line by 900% , developed a new website and launched new social media platform. Colleagues throughout the state have been very complimentary and appreciative of her leadership. Amy L. McAden, Director of Volunteer Services at Kingston Hospital, also a NYSVSA member explained, “In addition to her daily tasks of overseeing Volunteer Services, Sue McNeil promotes positive visibility and good will towards the hospital. She has set high standards by taking on additional leadership roles in advancing the practice of healthcare volunteer management. She is responsible for the advancement of our profession through management initiates and creative leadership innovations.” XXX
Stereotactic Breast Biopsies at Nathan Littauer means greater comfort and precision. Posted on September 25, 2012September 26, 2012 by Dakota PikeWomen commenting on the new systemGloversville, NY …Local women requiring biopsies to reexamine suspicious findings from their mammograms can now reap the benefits of state-of-the-art technology Littauer is using in their Diagnostic Imaging Center. The new stereotactic breast biopsy equipment is delivering greater comfort and precision to women during their breast biopsies. It is the first technology of its kind available in the Fulton-Montgomery region. “We have already heard from women who have had biopsies on our old system and now our new system and they are very complimentary and grateful for this new technology” stated Priscilla Person who works at Littauer’s Diagnostic Imaging Center.A Nathan Littauer Diagnostic Imaging staff member reviews an image of a stereotactic breast biopsy procedure performed at Littauer recently. The new equipment is ergonomically designed, allowing women to sit during the exam, well supported throughout the entire procedure. Dr. McBiles, Chief of Radiology explains, “As a radiologist comfort is paramount because greater patient comfort usually equates to better images and samples.” He added, “The computer-guided technology gives us better precision requiring smaller tissue sampling.” Dr. McBiles, continued, “The entire procedure is shortened and our patients have reported very little discomfort. The incision is much smaller so there is little if any scarring and decreased pain. Usually the entire procedure is completed within 45 minutes.” Another benefit? Women requiring a breast biopsy can avoid the operating room all together. Dr. McBiles explained, “We do biopsies in our newly renovated diagnostic imaging rooms. During the procedure, the patient sits in a specially designed, ergonomic chair, with the breast exposed. The digital machine takes focused images of the suspicious area which are viewed by the radiologist on the computer screen. The equipment then pinpoints the exact location of the breast abnormality seen on earlier mammograms by using a computer and x-rays taken from different angles.” The doctor continued, “Using exact computer coordinates; the doctor determines the site for the biopsy and administers a local anesthetic – similar to what dentist’s use. The tissue samples quickly secured with a vacuum-assisted device and the tissue samples are sent to the lab to be thoroughly examined.” Tammy Gerdes, who leads the mammogram unit for Littauer explains, “It all comes down to dignity and compassion. We strive with every exam to make our patients feel at ease and cared for. It is a stressful time.” The new technology was paid for with monies raised by the hospital’s Foundation. For more information on our advanced outpatient diagnostic radiology services people are encouraged to speak to their referring physician. XXX
Nathan Littauer launches new commercial with a twist Posted on September 24, 2012September 26, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer launched a new campaign today using real staff members. The commercial “Less is Better” touts the hospital’s new ability to reduce radiation exposure by almost 40% during CT Scans. Moreover, the commercial uses real Diagnostic Imaging staff at Nathan Littauer and their families. Cheryl McGrattan, Hospital Spokesperson noted, “The feedback has been outstanding- using our own staff and their children just added a nice warm touch to the commercial.”
Nathan Littauer offers patients lower radiation doses on CT Scans Posted on September 21, 2012September 26, 2012 by Dakota Pike With GE’s ASiR technology the hospital is seeing up to a 40% reduction of radiation exposure with some testsNathan Littauer Hospital announced today that they are now using a new technology which lowers radiation exposure during a CT Scan (also known as a Cat Scan). GE’s ASiR technology aims to reduce radiation doses while still maintaining image integrity. “The results have been outstanding” stated Donna Boswell, Senior CT Technologist for Littauer. According to her studies the new technology has been able to reduce radiation doses by as much as 40% on some exams.Nathan Littauer is using new technology to reduce radiationCT exams are performed when people are ill or injured, or when a doctor suspects a medical problem that cannot be detected easily with a routine physical examination. CT is also used to rapidly obtain specific diagnostic information that hasn’t been provided by other imaging technologies, such as ultrasound, traditional X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Effective and efficient, a CT exam is one of the most common medical imaging procedures. The pictures are then used for in-depth clinical evaluations.“This is especially good news for our region- especially families with small children” said Donna Boswell. Research published in the June 7, 2012, issue of the Lancet suggested a possible increased risk of brain cancer and leukemia among patients who received computed tomography scans (Cat Scans or CT scans) of the head while they were children. For many parents, this article caused alarm and concern. Soon after The American Society of Radiology Technologists reminded parents that CT scans are an important medical tool that can provide information critical to the diagnosis and treatment of a child’s condition. Statistically, more than 70 million CT scans are performed each year in theUnited States, and about 7 million of those exams are on performed on children. TheAmericanCollege of Radiology holds, “The benefits gained through the medical information obtained far outweigh the small risks involved.” (American society of Radiologic Technologists)“We have made significant investments throughout our entire diagnostic imaging department, not just in our CT Scans” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Littauer’s President and CEO. He added, “We believe the patients in our area can be assured that we have the best technology coupled with qualified individuals who are properly educated to minimize radiation dose in every possible way.”xxx
