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SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

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L. Reuven Pasternak, MD
Reuven Pasternak, MD
Chief Executive Officer and
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Read the latest press releases from Stony Brook Medicine. 

Lifelines is Stony Brook Medicine's employee newsletter. Topics are organized based on the hospital's strategic priorities, known as the five pillars: quality and safety, service, people, growth and sustainability.

CMS Response Team Recognized for Excellence in Quality and Safety

This summer, the focus of every staff member of Stony Brook University Hospital was on two major voluntary and regulatory accreditation surveys for The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

Preparing for these intensive surveys takes a great deal of talent, time and energy. The hospital is fortunate to have a dedicated team of regulatory and clinical experts, who devoted countless hours throughout the year to help staff. This team of experts, which become known as the CMS Response Team, was recognized with the iCare Award for its recent efforts in responding to site visits by The Joint Commission and by CMS.

CMS Response Team
From left, Avrum Musetti, Quality Systems and Applications Analyst; CindyAnn Beck, RN, Nursing Policy Coordinator; Tasha Henneberry, Associate Director of Nursing, Behavioral Health Regulatory Affairs; Rose Bukovsky, MS, RN, Patient Safety and Quality Coordinator; Dan Roberts, ACNP, PhD, Associate Chief Quality Officer and Associate Director of Nursing Quality, Research and Nursing Support Services; Margaret Duffy, MS, RN, Associate Director of Nursing; Lindsay Bevis, Division of Nursing; L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, CEO, Stony Brook University Hospital; and Mary Ann Donohue-Ryan, PhD, RN, Chief Patient Care Services Officer

The many standards and associated requirements for these surveys are based on quality, safety and "doing what's right" for patients and their families. All surveys, either voluntary or mandatory, always help us re-examine daily practices and if necessary, re-design them.

"Thank you to the CMS Response Team and to the entire clinical and administrative team for helping us succeed in yet another important survey cycle," said L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, CEO, Stony Brook University Hospital. "Aside from the survey results, however, a far more important fundamental cultural paradigm shift has occurred -- as we now more fully comprehend how 24/7/365 vigilance, diligence and persistence is required to provide safe, quality care for our patients."

LinenDept

Quality and Safety

Linen Department Receives First Non-Clinical iCare Award

iCare Award-Linen Department
From left, Carol Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Operating Officer; Steven Weisman, MBA, Senior Hospital Associate Director for Administration and Supply Chain Management; Martha Colwell-Houlihan, Administrator, Patient Support Services; and Jennifer Freyberg, Linen Department

An additional iCare Award was presented to the Linen Department for its excellence in patient safety, having played an instrumental role in the recent changes to the hospital's Surgical Attire Policy.

As part of the new policy, in compliance with the Department of Health and Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses standards, the Linen Department had to double the scrub machine service to ensure staff are able to obtain and return scrubs daily.

Linen Department staff members closely monitor scrub usage to identify staff who may not be using the system properly to ensure adherence to the new policy, as well as adjust par levels in Pyxis machines so that proper sizes are available to all.

Throughout the year, the Linen Department makes a tremendous impact on hospital operations, making sure that everything is in the right place at the right time for hospital staff. The department collects 350,000 pounds of soiled linens and delivers 325,000 pounds of clean linens on a monthly basis, as well as distributes 760 pounds of lab coats and 10,000 pounds of scrubs.

SEFA

Service

Stony Brook Cares SEFA Support Your Favorite
Cause Through Stony Brook Cares/SEFA United Way

Stony Brook has a long history of giving back to the community. By supporting the Stony Brook Cares/SEFA United Way campaign, Stony Brook employees, faculty and staff can direct their contribution to help their Long Island neighbors or others around the country or world by choosing from more than 500 charities. This year's campaign runs through Dec. 31.

Learn more or make a donation now to your favorite charities. Donation forms can be sent to Michele Lake, Office of Administration, interoffice zip 1002, (631) 632-6340.

MostWired

People

Stony Brook Recognized as One of the Nation's Most Wired Hospitals

For the seventh consecutive year, Stony Brook University Hospital has been named to HealthCare's Most WiredTM list for 2015, recognizing hospitals and health systems for excellence in information technology (IT) and improvements in patient care delivery through creative and innovative uses of technology.

To be awarded "Most Wired," Stony Brook met the rigorous requirements outlined in the 2015 Most Wired survey and benchmarking study, which measures IT use and adoption among hospitals nationwide in four areas: infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration.

"Most Wired is a truly sought-after award, and it reflects our ongoing commitment in using patient-focused technologies to improve patient lives and provide high-quality and safe patient care," said Tom Consalvo, Chief Technology Officer. "We're always looking forward at the challenges ahead to make smart investments for the best interests of our patients." Learn more.  

IT Team
Seated, from left, Marylou Ruis, Director, Revenue Cycle Applications; Jim Murry, Chief Information Officer; Tom Consalvo, Chief Technology Officer; and Beverley O'Connor, Director, Ancillary Systems and Services. Standing, from left, Victor Alonzo, Director, IT Business Support; Jim Wolkiewicz, Director, Application Integration; Katherine Collard, Director, Clinical Transformation; David Cyrille, Director, Research Services; Abbie Forster, Director, Peri-Op and Women's Health Systems; Lou DeCamp, Director, Clinical Information Systems; and Christine Gironda, Director, Enterprise Analytics (not pictured are Denise Reilly, Director, Patient Engaging Technologies and Health Information Exchange, and Bel Milosevich, Director, IT PMO, Meaningful Use and Core Measures).
AccuVein

Growth

Vein Illumination Device Enhances Ouchless Medicine at Stony Brook

AccuVeinCaregivers at Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Children's Hospital are now using a device to easily locate a patient's veins and help reduce the number of needle sticks to patients for blood draws and IV insertions.

About the size of a television remote control, AccuVein® is a lightweight, handheld device that uses infrared light to reveal the position of underlying veins on the surface of the skin, allowing caregivers to access veins safely and quickly.

"AccuVein's visualization technology decreases the number of unsuccessful insertion attempts and supports our 'ouchless' approach to medicine, which deals with pain and discomfort promptly and safely," said Maureen Cole, RN, Associate Director of Nursing, Stony Brook Children's Hospital. "It also eliminates the stress of the procedure for the staff, patients and their families, and allows for timelier administration of treatment, while increasing productivity and reducing costs."

Six AccuVein devices are used throughout the hospital: for adult patients in the critical care area of the Emergency Department and Radiology; and, thanks to funding by the Stony Brook University Hospital Auxiliary, for pediatric patients in the main Pediatric Unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Emergency Department and shared by the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Pediatric Oncology.

View a demonstration of how AccuVein works.

Upcoming Events

Pizza with a Purpose: Stony Brook Cares California Pizza Kitchen Fundraiser

Sept. 17, all day, California Pizza Kitchen, 618 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove

Enjoy a meal from California Pizza Kitchen and support Stony Brook Children's Hospital. Download a flyer, present it to your server and California Pizza Kitchen will donate 20 percent of the check to Stony Brook Children's through the Stony Brook Cares SEFA/United Way campaign. Purchases include dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages.

Third Annual Walk for Weight Loss

Sept. 19, Check-in time: 9 am, Start time: 9:30 am, Stony Brook University (rain or shine)

Support and celebrate all those who are trying to achieve and maintain a healthy weight: friends, family, co-workers or you. Participants can walk a half-mile or three-mile course, and will help raise funds for healthy weight education efforts. Individual adult registration is $20. Children under 16 are free. Download a registration form or call (631) 638-2029.

Long Island Heart Walk

Sept. 20, Registration: 8:30 am, Walk start: 10 am, Jones Beach, Field 5

Support the American Heart Association and honor a loved one who has been impacted by cardiovascular disease or stroke. The 3.1-mile walk includes giveaways, information on how to keep your heart healthy, a Kids Zone tent with games and an opportunity to have team photos taken. Register online to join the Stony Brook University Heart Institute's Hiking Hearts team or create your own.

Candlelight Ceremony

Sept. 21, 5:30-7 pm, Hilton Garden Inn, Stony Brook University

Join the staff of Stony Brook University Cancer Center at a special evening honoring patients and their families affected by gynecologic cancers during Gynecologic Oncology Awareness Month and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. A reading of patients' names will follow. All are welcome. RSVP to (631) 444-4000.

Turn the Town Teal for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness

A series of free presentations, beginning at 6 pm, throughout September featuring Stony Brook University Cancer Center experts. All are welcome. Registration is not required. For information, call (631) 444-4000.

Sept. 24, Be Proactive! Learn the Signs and Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancer

Learn more about the signs and symptoms for certain gynecologic cancers, as well as risk factors and what can be done to reduce risks. Presented by Melissa Henretta, MD, MPH, Gynecologic Oncologist, at The Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main Street, East Setauket.

Sept. 30, Spotlight on: Gynecologic Health and Cancer Concerns as We Age

Learn more about the natural aging process and its effects on cancer management for women who are over the age of 60. Presented by Michael L. Pearl, MD, Professor and Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, at The Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main Street, East Setauket.

Blood Drive

Sept. 29, 7 am-6 pm, Health Sciences Galleria, Level 3

Give the gift of life and support the American Red Cross and Stony Brook University Hospital. All presenting donors will receive an American Red Cross T-shirt and have a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD. Schedule an appointment online (use sponsor code: StonyBrookHosp) or call Ken O'Sullivan, Blood Bank, at (631) 444-2373 for more information. Walk-ins are welcome.

HeartSaver/AED CPR Class

Sept. 30, 4-7 pm, Stony Brook University Heart Institute

Learn lifesaving skills from nurse educators at Stony Brook University Heart Institute. The class is free, but for those who would like a two-year American Heart Association CPR card, there is a $10 fee. Participants will learn how to respond to an adult, child and infant who is unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Demonstrations on the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and how to respond to choking emergencies are also covered. Registration is required. To register, call Yvonne Leippert, RN, MS, CCRN, at (631) 444-3322.

Turn the Town Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Stony Brook University Cancer Center and the Town of Brookhaven are teaming up to raise awareness about breast cancer. Learn more about breast health, breast cancer treatment options, the latest research and more at these free seminars during October. For information, call (631) 444-4000.

Oct. 6, 6 pm, A Deeper Understanding: Risks for Developing Breast Cancer and Steps to Help Prevent It

Learn about the current information on screening, prevention measures and risk factors for breast cancer. Presented by Brian O'Hea, MD, Director, Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center, at the Holiday Inn Express, 3131 Nesconset Highway (Route 347), Centereach.

Oct. 20, 5:30 pm, Women's Cancers: The Hereditary Connection

Discover how family history may impact one's risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers. Presented by Melissa Henretta, MD, MPH, Gynecologic Oncologist, and Christine Rizk, MD, Surgeon, at Brookhaven Town Hall (Auditorium), One Independence Hill, Farmingville.

Oct. 22, 10:30 am, Healthy Forks and Fitness for Life

Find out how nutrition and exercise may help reduce the risk of developing cancer and improve overall well-being. Presented by Jennifer Fitzgibbon, MS, RD, CSO, CDN, and Denise Dahlgren, MS, PT, at the Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 East Main Street, Patchogue.

Oct. 27, 6 pm, Breast Cancer Overview and Update

Stony Brook physicians discuss the latest imaging techniques, prevention strategies and treatment options for breast cancer. Presented by Brian O'Hea, MD, Director, Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center, at the Charles B. Wang Center, Stony Brook University. Reservations are required for this event. A light dinner will be served.

Walk for Beauty, in a Beautiful Place

Oct. 25, 8:30 am (registration), Stony Brook Village, 111 Main Street, Stony Brook

Sponsored by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO), the 22nd annual Walk for Beauty features three events in one: a 4K Color Splash, 4K/6K Walk and a 10K "Hercules on the Harbor" timed run sanctioned by USA Track and Field. Proceeds will go directly to a targeted research fund at Stony Brook Medicine for breast cancer research and the WMHO Unique Boutique for prosthesis and wigs. Learn more and register online. 

Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis

Oct. 25, 11:30 am (registration/festivities)/1 pm (Walk start), Stony Brook University (rain or shine)

This 2.3-mile walk will help Stony Brook Medicine and the Long Island chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America raise money for crucial research and a future that's free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Bring the family and enjoy pre-walk festivities for all. Register now.

For More Information

Tell us what you'd like to see. Please send content for consideration to:

Therese Xeller 

Communications Manager

Stony Brook Medicine  

188 Belle Mead Road

East Setauket, NY 11733-9228

(631) 444-4883

 

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.

Produced by the Office of Communications.