Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Gifted $2 Million Dollars to Aid in Fight Against Coronavirus Posted on May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home received $2,048,000.00 in funding allocated by Health and Human Services (HHS) to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Signed into law March 27, the legislation is designed to help rural hospitals like Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home.“Nathan Littauer would like to thank the efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer,” stated Michael Ostrander, Chief Financial Officer for Littauer. He added, “We are grateful people are looking out for rural hospitals like Littauer. Our response to COVID is encompassing and comprehensive employing a tremendous amount of resources. From a financial perspective, we have done everything we can to support our medical team. We will continue to do so. However, a response to a global pandemic was not a part of our strategic plan. The CARES act gives us a needed injection of capital to continue our fight.”Littauer believes the CARES Act is an important first step forward. However, we believe more will need to be done to support rural healthcare providers as we deal with the unprecedented challenge of this virus. We have endured unbudgeted healthcare related expenses and some lost revenues from halted elective surgeries. Many of our expenses are not reimbursed and are directly attributable to COVID-19. As we learn more about this virus, we understand we may still see a substantial patient surge of COVID positive patients.Our goal as an organization is to remain independent while we serve this unique community. Most importantly, this funding will help the patients we gratefully serve. We would like to thank all entities involved with the CARES Act as we do our important work during this pandemic.
COVID-19 Resources For Our Patients and The Community Posted on April 10, 2020April 10, 2020 by Dakota PikeThe CDC has the most current information about the virus, including everything you need to know about how the virus spreads, how it’s treated, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you get sick. You can learn more by visiting the CDC website, which is updated frequently.Protect YourselfRegular handwashing remains one of the best defenses against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions:Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Practice social distancing by staying home, and if you go outside or have to the grocery store or pharmacy, maintain at least six feet of physical space in public.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands Protect OthersStay home when you are sick and as designated by the state of New York. Follow your provider’s instructions about quarantine measures.Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve (not your hands) or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.The CDC has stated that cloth face masks may be worn in public places where social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Please note that following guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding personal protective equipment updated April 3, 2020, cloth masks are not recommended for health care professionals when working in a health care setting. It is unknown whether cloth masks provide effective source control for infectious patients.Your Emotional HealthNew Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
Small is Powerful Posted on March 2, 2020May 27, 2021 by Dakota PikeIntroducing Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home’s campaign: Small is Powerful!One of the many photographs taken by Trampoline, which features Patricia Nguyen, MD, OBGYN, a medical provider with Nathan Littauer Hospital.Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home launches its new campaign.The campaign, which launched February 28th, emphasizes a small, local approach to care, and celebrates Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home’s community.“We’re the only small, independent hospital left in the Capital Region,” says Vice President of Marketing with Littauer, Cheryl McGrattan. “It means we provide focused care. It is like they say, ‘Good things come in small packages.’ Small is powerful gives our community an example of what we provide.”The health care organization contracted with the Glens Falls ad agency, Trampoline, to develop the commercials.“At a time when health care is at the center of conversations around the globe, the opportunity to highlight a local hospital caring for its community felt wonderful. We interviewed providers and employees at Nathan Littauer, and were so moved by their passion and dedication; hopefully you feel that in the campaign,” explained Derek Slayton, Managing Partner at Trampoline.Small care can have a big impact. Watch our 30-second brand commercial and long-form video below: XXXAbout Nathan LittauerNathan 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 health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. Please visit www.nlh.org for more information.
Wellness Words February 2020 Posted on February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Heart HealthDid you know that your heart and blood vessels change with age? According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) people over 65 years of age are much more likely to have problems with their heart and blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke, heart disease and heart failure.How The Heart Works The heart is a strong muscle in your chest that pumps blood throughout your body. It works like an engine to keep your body running and is controlled by an electrical system that determines how fast and how hard the heart beats. The heart is divided into four different sections, two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. Each chamber is separated by a valve that opens and closes when blood enters or leaves. The right side of the heart receives blood low in oxygen from the body and pumps it to the lungs to receive oxygen. The left side of the heart pumps the blood high in oxygen to the rest of the body.Age–Related ChangesAccording to the NIA, as you age, your heart and blood vessels lose some of their ability to function as efficiently as when you were younger. Over many years, fatty deposits begin to build up in the blood vessels, specifically the arteries, causing them to stiffen and narrow. Stiffening of the arteries is called arteriosclerosis and narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. The muscles of the heart also become weakened and the chambers of the heart can increase in size. A weakened heart may lead to an arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, while an increase in size of the chambers will decrease the amount of blood your heart can hold, causing it to fill more slowly. The valves of the heart can also stiffen with age, limiting the flow of blood into and out of each chamber.Heart DiseaseThe NIA defines heart disease as the buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries are located outside of the heart and are responsible for delivering blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Over time, as fatty deposits build up, they can block the flow of blood to your heart muscle or cause a rupture in your arteries. This leads to a lack of oxygen–rich blood to the muscles of the heart, resulting in chest pain or even heart attack (cell death of heart muscle). In order to protect your heart and your body, it’s important to educate yourself on the symptoms of heart disease and the steps you can take to improve heart health.Symptoms Of Heart DiseaseThe NIA lists several signs and symptoms of heart disease including:Chest pain, pressure or discomfortChest pain during physical activity that gets better when you restPain, numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or backShortness of breath at rest or during activityFeeling lightheaded, dizzy or confusedHeadache, feeling tired or fatiguedNausea or vomitingCold sweatsSwelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach or neckDifficulty performing normal activitiesDifficulty exercising or being physically activePeople with heart disease may or may not experience symptoms, so it’s important to regularly visit your healthcare provider.PreventionIn order to protect your heart, the NIA recommends:Following a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairyIncreasing physical activity to get 150 minutes of activity each weekMaintaining a healthy weightQuitting smokingMinimizing alcohol consumptionManaging stressManaging diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterolIf you have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, talk with your healthcare provider about managing your condition. They will be able to give you a plan that best fits your lifestyle and needs.For more information on heart health, talk to your healthcare provider or contact HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center located at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Infection Prevention – Coronavirus Posted on January 30, 2020January 30, 2020 by Dakota PikeLittauer’s Manager of Infection Prevention and Manager of Employee Health, NP-C, Melissa Bown had a few things to say about the recent Coronavirus. She has been following the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the New York State Department of Health (NYSDoH) to monitor the virus. She offers some peace-of-mind, and some tips.Littauer’s Infection Prevention/Employee Health Manager, Melissa Bown“Both the CDC and NYSDoH have a good handle on the situation,” Bown says. “They are working very diligently. Littauer is always preparing so that we may weather any storm. We’re prepared. Our hospital staff screen patients who have traveled out of the country, especially for those who show symptoms for illnesses like the coronavirus.”Here are some tips on how to prevent getting sick from The New York State Department of Health: Tips on preventing infection of the Coronavirus
Littauer CEO Set to Retire in October Posted on January 23, 2020January 23, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home President & CEO, Laurence E. Kelly, will retire effective October 2, after a successful administrative health care career spanning 41 years; 19 of them at the helm of the Gloversville-based hospital.“It has been an absolute pleasure,” Kelly says. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the Gloversville community and this region.”Kelly has led Littauer during a period of tremendous growth and financial stability. The hospital’s total net assets increased nearly sevenfold from $13.3 million in 2001; when Kelly began as CEO to $90 million in 2019. This period was also marked by an increase in jobs. In 2001, the hospital had 656.5 full-time equivalents (FTEs). By 2019, that number had grown to 807.5. Littauer’s footprint has expanded as well, adding eight primary care centers, spanning a total of 52 square miles within the region. President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Laurence E. KellyKelly explains, “I think we have achieved these milestones because of two factors: I work with a fearless, creative team. Because of the employees here, I enjoy coming to work each day. I really like my colleagues. That makes a huge difference. The second piece is that we have invested our positive operating margin back into our hospital. In essence, we have paid ourselves first. I think it has worked. With a positive operating budget, we have saved for our future and simultaneously secured sophisticated technology and improved access to care.”“Larry has great insight and vision in the health care industry,” says Gregory Truckenmiller, Ph.D., Chair of the Littauer Board of Directors. “He has been adaptable amidst constant change in the industry and had the courage to make decisions others had difficulty with. It is because he took those risks that Littauer has remained independent, committed to quality, and achieved 18 consecutive years operating in the black while many rural hospitals around the country are struggling or even closing.” “Medical staff who have worked at other hospitals often observe that the equipment we provide our surgeons and radiologists is much better than what they have used at other, often larger hospitals,” said Frederick Goldberg, M.D., Littauer Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “Under his guidance we have been able to offer:• minimally invasive spine surgery • advanced diagnostic imaging technologies • critical care telemedicine • state-of-the-art maternity facilities • a dialysis center that is attached to the hospital and nursing home.These medical and technological advancements mean better care for our patients,” Dr. Goldberg adds. “It helps recruit talented physicians to the area. None of this would have been possible without the vision and leadership of Mr. Kelly.”“Influential leaders are a rare breed,” said Stephanie Fishel, Littauer Chief Nursing Officer. “Larry Kelly is an influential leader. He mentors the strengths of his team members and sets us up to succeed. Under his leadership, our nursing care has evolved, strengthening our foundation in patient safety, clinical skills, and more. Because of him, our patients experience state-of-the-art technology and expert care-givers right here in our rural community.”Kelly adds, “My goal has always been to build an independent organization that can quickly respond to the unique needs of this community. We also needed to stand on solid footing. I wanted to build a hospital for this generation and the next.”The Littauer Board of Directors will begin work immediately to recruit Kelly’s successor. Littauer staff, volunteers, and others will celebrate his contributions to the organization and community at an event in September. Details will be forthcoming.A fund is being established at the Nathan Littauer Hospital Foundation to honor his years of service and leadership. More information on the details of that fund will be shared as soon as possible.Kelly noted, “I am grateful for the visionary leadership of Littauer board members past and present, the talented and dedicated team of professionals with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with, the selfless donors and volunteers who support the hospital with such enthusiasm, and the people who consistently choose us for their health care. I will leave Littauer with a great sense of pride, knowing what we’ve accomplished together is meaningful and will matter to this community for generations to come.”“There never is a perfect time to leave,” Kelly explains. “But I wanted to go out on a high-note without worrying about our future. This feels like the right time.” Truckenmiller agrees. “He will be missed, but he has positioned us perfectly for Littauer’s next chapter. On behalf of a grateful board of directors, we are committed to making sure his legacy will continue.”###About Nathan Littauer Nathan 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 in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
