Nathan Littauer adds massage to rehabilitation line-up Posted on May 30, 2012October 1, 2012 by Dakota PikeGloversville, NY — As part of full-service rehabilitative approach, Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Department has added massage therapy to its list of services. “This new service offering allows us to provide a complete array of services to the patient who is experiencing pain.” said William Oates, Registered Physical Therapist and director of the department. He added, “The massage therapists we have secured are the best in their field and share our passion for improving our patients’ health and fitness levels.”The two therapists Jamie Page and Roberta Thomas will start taking appointments at the hospital’s Out-Patient Physical Therapy Department starting June 1, 2012. “The two types of therapy – physical and massage are closely related. They both concentrate on kinesiology, muscle movement and relaxation.” explained Mr. Oates. He went on to say, “Now, a patient can finish a physical therapy appointment, which can be physically demanding at times and immediately follow it with a massage in the same center.” One hour session cost $60. At this time, most insurances do not cover massage therapy.According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage therapists have an average of 619 hours of initial training and vast majorities of massage therapists (91 percent) have taken continuing education classes. The organization also notes, “Forty-four (44) percent of adult Americans who had a massage between July 2010 and July 2011 received it for medical or health reasons compared to 35 percent the previous year.”In a survey conducted in 2010 Ninety (90) percent of those questioned agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, up from 86 percent in the 2010 survey.Many health care providers strongly recommend massage therapy.The AMTA reports that recent research has shown the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions: • Cancer-related fatigue • Back pain • Osteoarthritis • Reducing post-operative pain • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Lowering blood pressure • Reducing headache frequency • Stress and anxiety • Migraine controlPeople wishing to make an appointment with the Nathan Littauer Massage Team are encouraged to call: 773-5541.
Nathan Littauer’s Diagnostic Center earns accreditation for Mammogram services Posted on May 28, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital was recently informed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) that its mammogram unit has been granted accreditation for a period of three years. “This is an important and stringent process. It speaks to our ongoing commitment to provide the newest technology coupled with the highest level of care in our diagnostic imaging department.” stated Cheryl McGrattan hospital spokesperson.This accreditation was granted after Littauer was evaluated on four diagnostic criteria including the ability to demonstrate high clinical images. The accreditation will continue throughout July 26, 2014.
Nathan Littauer Auxiliary Receives HANYS Award Posted on May 28, 2012July 16, 2012 by Dakota Pike“The Auxiliary is an important part of our hospital community”The Nathan Littauer Auxiliary has been recognized by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) with the 2011 Auxiliary Advocacy Recognition Award. The organization bestows the honor upon auxiliaries that have committed significant time and effort serving as an advocate for their facility and community.The Nathan Littauer Auxiliary supports the mission of the hospital. Founded in 1894, the Auxiliary has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home in reaching its health care goals. The members also contribute thousands of hours to the organization as volunteers. For example, in 2011 the organization had 99 active volunteers who donated 10,114 hours of service to the hospital.For more information on joining the Auxiliary, please call Susan McNeil at (518) 773-5408.
Nathan Littauer obstetrics practices sets a national standard Posted on May 25, 2012September 25, 2012 by Dakota PikeApproach to labor care is deemed “particularly meritorious” by national medical group Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital was recently informed that its clinical approach to augment labor has been published in an American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) publication. The clinical method Littauer uses with the labor enhancing drug Oxytocin was selected as one of three national standards for other health care organizations to follow. “This is an amazing endorsement of the high-level of care we administer in our Birthing Center.” said Ginger Mulligan, Vice President of Nursing. Littauer’s Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Patricia Nguyen made the submission explaining, “Our clinical approach to the birthing process is very well thought out- with a foundation centered in safety and comfort.” She added, “As a clinician, I felt was worth sharing.” Dr. Nguyen continued, “Our entire team is focused upon patient safety. And I think it is that collaborative approach at Littauer that yields results.”ACOG asked hospitals to submit their protocols for using the drug oxytocin- a labor enhancing medicine used in the birthing process. In all, the organization received 23 submissions and selected three for their publication, “Optimizing Protocols in Obstetrics”. The prestigious clinical document explains, “Although many were well written and met the needs of their institution, three protocols were particularly meritorious. We are submitting these documents as examples that any hospital may want to consider for their own use.” They added, “The Committee has chosen and enclosed the oxytocin protocols from Community General Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Nathan Littauer Hospital.”ACOG has over 55,000 members and is the nation’s leading group of professionals providing health care for women. It is a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization. The Birthing Center’s Manager, Kelly Hartz explained, “This organization strives to maintain the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education for its members. To see our name printed as a standard of care is thrilling for our staff and especially our obstetrics team.” She concluded, “The organization has a stellar reputation.” To read the full document and Littauer’s special approach to the labor process readers are encouraged to visit: http://mail.ny.acog.org/website/OxytocinForInduction.pdf.Nathan Littauer’s The Birthing Center sets a national standard in clinical protocols
Nathan Littauer Hospital Adds MRI to Second Location in Perth Posted on May 25, 2012July 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeConvenient Saturday Hours Offered Perth, NYCloser to you, when you need it….For patient convenience and comfort, Nathan Littauer Hospital has expanded MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) services to its Perth location. The hospital began offering MRI services recently at their Primary/Specialty Care Center located in Perth at 4104 State Highway 30 in Perth across from the Perthshire. The center is offering Saturday MRI service every other Saturday at the location with their Open Bore MRI technology.This technology offers patients a larger exam area and faster scans times features which are especially helpful for those people who are claustrophobic.“We are pleased to expand our services into Perth. We believe our patients will like the greater convenience of Saturday appointments.” explained Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO. He added, “In our first week we had more exams scheduled than we anticipated for the location.”MRI technology helps doctors take highly-defined images of the body’s interior organs and tissues. The equipment uses a strong magnet combined with radio waves pulses to take images inside the body. It is particularly useful for imaging the spine, as well as the soft tissues of joints and the interior structure of bones.Also, with the hospital’s integrated Electronic Medical Records System, the patient imaging records can be quickly read and interpreted for the prescribing physician to see. The MRI at Nathan Littauer‘s Perth Primary Care Center is the second location available to patients in the region. The hospital will continue to offer MRI services at its campus.For more information about MRI outpatient diagnostic radiology services, please visit www.radiologyrevolution.com. To schedule an exam, people are encouraged to speak to their health care provider.
Meet Michael our Employee of the YEAR! Posted on May 25, 2012July 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeMichael Nickerson has a “Heart of Gold”Michael Nickerson is our Employee of the Year!Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home recently awarded their Employee of the Year to Mr. Michael Nickerson. Mr. Nickerson is a Licensed Practical Nurse II, (LPN2) at the Nathan Littauer Nursing Home, a position he has held since 2002.Mr. Nickerson’s name was announced during an agency-wide celebration by the Hospital’s President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly. His coworkers, many who made the nominations, explained he “Has a heart of gold” and he “is an excellent role model”. One employee stated that Michael is “A rare gem that shines brightly”.Mr. Nickerson said thank you to the crowd that had gathered, which included his mother. Mr. Nickerson has explained, “For me this job means everything.” He also added, “I consider everyone I work with family”.“Nathan Littauer Hospital currently has about 980 employees. Therefore, this is definitely a prestigious award.” said Cheryl McGrattan Hospital spokesperson. Adding, “He is a person who seems to genuinely enjoy coming to work every day. And we frequently get compliments about his excellent clinical skills.” Mr. Kelly has described Michael as “Exemplifying the true meaning of caring and compassion.”Michael is a deserving award winner. As Employee of the Year Michael receives gift certificates and preferred parking and his picture will appear on Littauer’s Hall of Fame. The Employee of the Year is a function of the Hospital’s Goodwill Committee a multi-disciplinary team that strives to recognize employees within the hospital who embody Nathan Littauer’s original mission.
