NLH Joins HANYS for Excellence

NLH Joins HANYS for Excellence

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has signed The Healthcare Association of New York State’s Commitment to Excellence™ Pledge. The pledge expresses Littauer’s continuing effort to advance patient quality of care inside the community.

“Nathan Littauer already provides the highest quality of care to members of the community,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “This pledge further demonstrates that we care.”

The program is designed to support hospital-specific efforts and an approach that includes education, resources, technical assistance, and overall improvement of healthcare to patients and their health.

“We appreciate your willingness to publicly join The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), in this effort to change the dialogue about healthcare quality in New York state,” says Marie B. Grause, RN, JD, and President of HANYS. “HANYS is your committed partner in quality improvement and we look forward to our continued work together.”

XXX

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.

Littauer Security Uses National Rescue Task Force Program

GLOVERSVILLE, NY Recently, Nathan Littauer Hospital has provided Rescue Task Force (RTF) training for its security staff. Our Rescue Task Force program is focused on working with local law enforcement and first responders to reduce casualties during high-risk emergency situations. This new collaborative approach to emergencies enables our security staff to coordinate with local fire and police departments.

LaBuff reviews with Littauer security staff about RTF procedures.

Patrick LaBuff, Emergency Management Supervisor of Nathan Littauer, held an in-house RTF training Program, September 8, at Littauer. The training aims to reduce casualties when in an emergency, by providing immediate aid to those in need. As a result, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is attempting to assure its patients, staff, and visitors that they will remain safe if a disaster happens.

“Thankfully, these situations on a national scale are extremely rare. But, it is important to be prepared,” says LaBuff. “Most importantly, we are keeping everyone as safe as possible by preparing for the worst. Strategic planning for something like this will, without a doubt, mitigate future conflicts and keep our people safe.”

The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services asserts that RTF training is imperative to operating on the safest level in the event of an emergency. With the Rescue Task Force program, individuals are properly trained to get to a patient or victim quicker to save lives.

“We have outstanding support from the community,” LaBuff states. “The Gloversville Police Department, the Gloversville Fire Department, Fulton County Emergency Management, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office are extremely supportive of the Rescue Task Force program training on hospital grounds. To our knowledge, we’re one of the very first hospitals in the country to incorporate RTF training for security staff. Every staff member we train provides an additional resource to further assist local law enforcement and EMS during an emergency.”

“In today’s world, preparation and training lead to a much better outcome when it comes to high-risk situations,” says Sheriff Richard C. Giardino. “Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Emergency Management Team has been leading the hospital and its partners in preparation by training and networking with its local law enforcement partners.”

“The Rescue Task Force program helps support the public safety initiative,” says Marc Porter, Chief of Police of the Gloversville Police Department. “Providing Littauer’s security staff with training that is consistent with local law enforcement training will allow us the opportunity to work together and achieve a common goal: safety.”

Nathan Littauer security staff will offer Rescue Task Force program training four times a year. For more information about the Rescue Task Force program, please visit: https://www.rsqtaskforce.com/rtf-naemt-programs.

XXX

 

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.

NATHAN LITTAUER RECEIVES NEW ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION

NLH is recertified ISO 9001
NLH is recertified ISO 9001

Dr. 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 Home

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 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 Assurance

DNV 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.

Respected ENT Team Joins Littauer

Bradley H. Paddock, M.D. and Nurse Practitioner Amy Hall have joined Nathan Littauer and are now practicing on 182 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY.

One of Gloversville’s most respected specialists is joining the Nathan Littauer Hospital medical staff and bringing with him an expert Nurse Practitioner and an audiologist. Otolaryngologist Bradley H. Paddock, M.D. has specialized in ear, nose and throat care, as well as head and neck surgery, in his Gloversville private practice since 1983. Effective immediately, Dr. Paddock, as well as Amy Hall, FNP-BC, MS and hearing specialist Mark Caffrey, Au.D, are joining the Littauer team.

“Increasing access to high quality specialty services is one of the many ways in which Littauer shows our commitment to the health of this region,” said Frederick Goldberg, M.D., Littauer’s Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “We look forward to an ever stronger partnership with Dr. Paddock and his team.”

Dr. Paddock’s practice has relocated to 182 Steele Avenue in Gloversville. The office phone number is 518-725-8656, audiology can be reached at 518-725-2620. No staffing changes are planned in relationship to the transition. Patients can expect the same level of excellent care in the new location.

“We’re extremely proud to be welcoming Dr. Paddock, Amy, and Mark to our organization,” said Laurence Kelly, Nathan Littauer President & CEO. “This group has an excellent reputation in our region and now they’ll have the backing of a strong health care system and all that comes with it in terms of technology, access, and support.”

Bradley H. Paddock, M.D. received his medical education at Albany Medical College. He completed his surgical residency at Berkshire Medical Center and his residency in otolaryngology at Albany Medical College. He is board certified in otolaryngology and sleep medicine.

Amy Hall, FNP, M.S. earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Maria College in Albany, NY. She completed her Master of Science (Family Nurse Practitioner) at Sage Colleges in Troy, NY.

Mark Caffrey, Au.D earned his bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from SUNY Geneseo, his Master of Science (Audiology) from Montclair State University in New Jersey and his Au.D from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.

For more information about ENT and other services, including primary care, visit Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, visit www.nlh.org.

 

Bradley Paddock, MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Hall are now practicing on 182 Steele Avenue

###

 

Nathan Littauer Hospital announced as the first hospital with virtual SAFE services in New York State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED CONCIERGE MEDICINE AND NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE NEW PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE CARE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Littauer is First Hospital in the State to Offer Program to Improve Care for Victims of Sexual Assault through Telemedicine

Gloversville, NY – United Concierge Medicine (UCM) and Nathan Littauer today announced a unique and innovative partnership to improve care for sexual assault victims called TeleSAFE.

Utilizing a unique approach to care and digital technology, the UCM-administered TeleSAFE program solves the problem of limited access to care for sexual assault victims in NYS by virtually connecting Emergency Department staff with a certified Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE).  These SAFE-certified providers will then help guide ER staff through the process of the forensic exam.  Launched February 1, Nathan Littauer is the first hospital in the State to offer this innovative care model.

Laurence E. Kelly, President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital said, “As a rural, independent hospital we always embrace new technology solutions to better serve our community. This new partnership will provide UCM’s innovative and customized virtual care to patients and support to staff, and provide even greater access to care while comforting victims of sexual assault. In the end, it is our patients – even those most vulnerable and in crisis – who will benefit from this partnership.”

This program is funded by a $300,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Division of Family Health and a $2.85 million grant funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Both grants are being administered by the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation.

United Concierge Medicine CEO Keith Algozzine said, “Access to SAFE providers is a public health crisis disproportionally impacting small and rural hospitals.  No one should be denied timely care because the hospital has no SAFE-certified provider available. That’s why UCM is so excited to launch this program and serve the patients of Nathan Littauer.  We hope all hospitals who do not have 24/7/365 SAFE providers available will partner with us to ensure victims of sexual assault receive the care they need.”

This program is an invaluable resource for rural and underserved areas throughout New York State (NYS), allowing them to comply with public health law to care for patients after sexual assault. The challenge for many hospitals, particularly in rural areas, is the lack of available SAFE providers.  Regardless of the hospital to which a patient presents, he or she can now have access to a SAFE provider.

According to the New York State DOH website, there are only 45 SAFE certified hospitals in the State. A SAFE certified facility meets strict criteria for standards of care and provides coverage for victims of sexual assault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of those 45 hospitals, 27 are located in or around the New York City metropolitan area, leaving 18 facilities to provide care for the approximately 12 million people in the rest of New York.

However, through this unique pilot program, Nathan Littauer and 45 additional hospitals in the Capital Region and Central New York will now be able to virtually access SAFE-certified providers to properly treat victims. Importantly, 18 of these 46 hospitals are designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as critical access hospitals. These facilities receive this designation if they are more than 35-miles away from another hospital (among other criteria).

About UCM
UCM’s Virtual ER provides 24/7 triage and treatment by a dedicated team of emergency medicine providers through modern digital tools, including phone, video and picture. This unique approach to emergency medicine has provided patients more immediate access to care in a customized and comfortable environment.  In 2018, UCM used their experience as a provider of virtual emergency medicine to provide a wider net of care for victims of sexual assault, launching the TeleSAFE Program to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to any victim of sexual assault or abuse, regardless of the health care facility to which they present. To learn more about UCM’s TeleSAFE program, please visit www.TeleSAFE.org or www.unitedconciergemedicine.com.

About Nathan Littauer Hospital
Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is an independent, full-service 74-bed acute care hospital system with on-campus dialysis, an 84-bed skilled nursing home and 10 primary care centers serving Upstate New York. Nathan Littauer provides safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies in a rural setting. The hospital has nearly 1,000 employees covering a 50-mile footprint. Littauer’s medical staff provides well over 130,000 patient encounters each year. As we celebrate our 125th year of service, the hospital has expanded to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. In March of 2019, Nathan Littauer will open a newly built, state-of-the-art Primary Care Center in Broadalbin, NY.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.