Littauer certified to ISO 9001 Quality Management System by DNV GL Posted on February 8, 2018 by Dakota PikeLittauer Director of Performance Improvement, Christine WaghirnGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (February 6, 2018) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has been awarded by DNV GL – Healthcare full certification to the ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Littauer is dedicated to providing the safest and most effective healthcare services possible,” says Christine Waghorn, Littauer Director of Performance Improvement. “ISO certification not only reflects that mission, but helps to empower it. The certificate is not just a piece of paper, but the effort required to achieve it fundamentally transforms the way we do business. ISO 9001 is ideally suited to the complex, people-intensive challenges of running a hospital.” ISO 9001 is the most widely-accepted quality management system in use around the world, and is quickly gaining acceptance among US healthcare providers as a foundation for their quality and patient safety programs. “Littauer has worked hard to achieve this certification, and they have done so with unwavering commitment from their top leadership to make their hospital the best it can be,” says Patrick Horine, President of DNV – GL Healthcare. “ISO certification isn’t just an award or trophy for something you’ve done, it’s public evidence that you are at the top of your game with an obvious plan in place to make excellence an every day objective.” ISO 9001 brings science to the art of caregiving; it helps to standardize processes around things that are proven to work, by the people doing the work, thus empowering frontline workers while creating an environment of predictability for the entire organization. The ultimate impact of ISO within hospitals is the reduction or elimination of variation, so that critical work processes are done consistently and the “best ideas” aren’t held by one person or one department, but are ingrained in the organization itself. Businesses that implement ISO do so for both the internal and external benefits. Internally it helps staff create clear and consistent processes of patient care, and ensure that progress is constantly being made toward specific quality objectives. Externally, it tells the public, as well as insurers and regulatory agencies, that the hospital is not only talking about quality, but is pursuing it with discipline and transparency. “ISO 9001 is like sheet music for an orchestra; it gets everyone on the same page and helps us achieve our objectives,” says Waghorn. “We are honored to accept the DNV certificate of accreditation on behalf of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. This is not a certification that can be achieved by a single person or department; rather, it takes the effort of an entire workforce. This certification truly symbolizes our commitment to a culture of safety and quality.” About DNV GLDNV GL Healthcare, with offices in Cincinnati and Houston, is a division of DNV GL – Business Assurance, part of the DNV GL Group, an independent foundation dedicated to safeguarding life, property and the environment. Globally, DNV GL – Business Assurance has more than 100 offices and is one of the world’s leading certification, assessment and training companies. For more information about DNV hospital accreditation, visit www.dnvglhealthcare.com.About Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing HomeNathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton counties in upstate New York with a full-service, 84-bed acute care hospital, 10 primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded in 1894 and has nearly 1,000 employees. Littauer’s medical staff provides well over 130,000 patient encounters each year. For more information, please visit www.nlh.org.
Littauer Birthing Center again recognized for higher quality in maternity care Posted on February 8, 2018 by Dakota PikeHealthy moms and babies at Nathan Littauer Hospital with Littauer Lactation Consultant Nancy Quinlan, RN, IBCLC, at centerGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (January 2018) – Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has once again recognized the Nathan Littauer Hospital Birthing Center with a Blue Distinction® Center for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community. Nearly four million babies are born in the U.S. annually, making childbirth the most common cause of hospitalization, and cesarean sections the most common operating room procedures, according to National Centers for Health Statistics and the Agency for Health care Research & Quality (AHRQ). Reducing early elective delivery is an area of focus for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)According to Health Affairs, elective inductions result in more cesarean deliveries and a longer maternal hospitalization. The Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program evaluates hospitals on quality measures for vaginal and cesarean delivery.Littauer is proud to be recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for maternity care set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.“I am so proud of our team,” said Maureen Mosher, Littauer Manager of Maternal Child Health. “Last year, we were one of the first hospitals designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care. It is a distinction we achieve through our heartfelt dedication to our patients and community.”Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies across the nation have recognized more than 1,000 hospitals as Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care. Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and cost measures derived from BCBS companies’ medical claims.Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other hospitals, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
Littauer announces new Emergency Management Supervisor, Patrick LaBuff Posted on February 1, 2018 by Dakota PikeLittauer Supervisor of Security and Emergency Management, Patrick LaBuffGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (January 25, 2018) – Littauer is proud to welcome Patrick LaBuff as the hospital’s new Emergency Management Supervisor. LaBuff comes to Littauer with a dual Masters degree in Homeland Security and Disaster Management from American Military University. He received his B.A in Political Science from Binghamton University, and an A.A.S in Homeland Security & Disaster Management from Onondaga Community College, along with Firefighter Certifications from the New York State Fire Academy.LaBuff’s professional career has included working with United States Congress as a Federal Liaison Caseworker engaged in communications between constituents and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA/ICE, Department of Justice/FBI/ATF, to state a few.After his initial work, he was promoted to Homeland Security & EM Advisor, maintaining effective communications between the member of Congress and Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Military personnel, and other stakeholders throughout the district. LaBuff’s assignment had him providing a hazard/threat assessment over an eight county district which included 750,000 people. His experience has had him assist with over six international/national crisis incidents.“Littauer is thrilled to have a professional with Patrick’s education and professional background directly on our campus,” said Leslie Beadle, Littauer’s Vice President and Administrator of NLH Nursing Home. “He brings great skills to apply to our emergency preparedness plans to ensure a safe, secure environment.”In addition, LaBuff was recognized with the Presidential Call to Service Award, presented by the Obama Administration for 4,000 hours of volunteer service.“My passion for security and management stems from an entire family of dedicated public servants. In fact, I have family in Newtown, Connecticut, and the Sandy Hook shooting reinforced my passion for emergency management,” said LaBuff. LaBuff’’s responsibilities include hospital security, and emergency management at Littauer and all 10 primary/specialty care centers.
Littauer introduces Rev. Brian Dykema, as on-call chaplain Posted on January 31, 2018 by Dakota Pike– Littauer’s new On-Call Chaplain, the Rev. Brian Dykema Littauer announces the addition of the Reverend Brian Dykema to their Pastoral Care Department. He is Littauer’s new On-Call Chaplain, now assisting the Rev. Bonnie Orth with Littauer’s Pastoral Care. He began working with Littauer in December 2017. “I have to say, I really enjoy the people here at Littauer,” said Dykema . “I am greatly impressed with the true kindness and compassion I see exhibited here daily.” Rev. Dykema grew up in Michigan with a legacy of family involved in ministry. It wasn’t until he was a young adult that he knew this calling was his as well. He completed his college and seminary training in Michigan. He then completed five units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rev. Dykema moved to this community originally as the pastor of the Calvary Reformed Church in Hagaman, New York. He then served as the pastor of the Johnstown Reformed Church for 10 years. He then joined Littauer and is pleased with the opportunity. He is married to his wife Sarah and living in Johnstown. They have a 15 year-old chocolate-lab mixed dog appropriately named Coco. Rev. Dykema, who likes to be called simply Brian, can be reached through Littauer Pastoral Care at (518) 773-5655. The Pastoral Care office is located on the second floor of the hospital.
Littauer announces Tammy Kennedy as Goodwill Award winner Posted on January 24, 2018 by Dakota PikeLittauer fourth-quarter Goodwill Award recipient, Tammy Kennedy, Performance Improvement Coordinator, with Littauer President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly on Tuesday GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (January 23, 2018) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home honored Tammy Kennedy, Performance Improvement Coordinator, with the 2017 fourth-quarter Goodwill Award. She was presented the award by Littauer President and CEO, Laurence E. Kelly before a gathering of her peers on Tuesday morning.“Tammy is an outstanding employee, one that we can look up to,” said Kelly. “Her values mirror those that Littauer stand for, and that’s what got her here.”Kennedy is a 30 year Littauer employee, hired in January 1988. She has been promoted twice to her current position. Her perpetual role of accommodation, cheerfulness and kindness, along with her signature smile, were noted in most nominations. Kelly went on to point out many of the accolades that Tammy received as a new hire 30 years ago, are mirrored by what her peers still are saying today. “I am so very surprised,” said Kennedy. “And so very honored.”Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients and submitted to the Goodwill Committee. They are selected in a blind format.Kennedy received a plaque and a check along with her special honor.
