Nurses Provide Essential Continuity of Care, Optimize Results

Posted on by Lauren Weaver
Nurse checking on patient in an orthopedic room
A nurse checks on a patient in an orthopedic room. Note: Photo taken prior to masking requirements.

Better health outcomes result not only from personalized medicine. Patient advocacy and education, often implemented by nursing staff, have also been shown to provide multiple benefits, from decreased patient pain scores to greater postsurgical satisfaction (Health Expect 2018; 21[1]: 57‑63; Spine J 2019;19[5]:840-845).

Englewood Health’s Spine Center prioritizes patient comfort as a way to ensure both patient satisfaction and optimal outcomes. The nurses at the Spine Center rely on training, compassion, and depth of experience to provide continuity of care with the utmost professionalism, from the preoperative stage all the way up to three months after surgery.

“I’ll never ask, ‘How is your pain? Does your pump work properly?’ I’ll ask a patient to hand me something that I can’t reach. That way, I examine their functional mobility and recovery without heightening any anxiety.”

Wen-Chiao Peng, APN

“I always try to speak to patients as if I’m talking to family or a close friend,” said Wen-Chiao Peng, APN, who practices in the neurology and neuro-spine units at the Spine Center. Peng, who has worked at Englewood Health for 18 years, uses the preoperative period to forge a connection with her patients so they will open up to her about their concerns and so she can gauge their anxiety. This preoperative period also provides an opportunity to arrange physical therapy and visiting nurse services for postoperative recovery.

“We make sure to empower patients with knowledge so they can feel comfortable and know we will make the right decisions together,” Peng said. “When patients feel at ease and have a sense of responsibility, it makes outcomes better.”

In her initial consultations, Peng explains the virtues of neuro-spine surgery at Englewood Health, offering patients the opportunity to talk to former patients who have undergone similar procedures; notes the latest technology used to improve outcomes and mitigate complication rates; and addresses the many concerns patients may have developed through their own internet research of worst-case scenarios. This patient education can be especially important, as studies have shown large gaps in patients’ health literacy in low back pain management and other spine conditions, which can affect how patients prepare for surgery (Spine J 2018;18[2]:370-376; Orthop Nurs 2019;38[4]:253-261).

“For spine surgery, sometimes it’s just about letting the patient know that advanced technology will monitor their nerves and alert the surgeon if they are too close to the nerve,” Peng said. The Spine Center provides every patient with a comprehensive book on what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Peng and her colleagues encourage patients to pepper them with any questions that
may arise after reading the guide.

Patient Advocacy Plays a Crucial Role

“Sometimes patients can be overwhelmed, so we prioritize bringing family members into the fold and making sure we’re always available to answer their questions as well,” said Colleen Wojna, RN, who works in the ortho-spine and joint replacement units at Englewood Health. A proud graduate of Englewood’s nursing school, Wojna has spent her entire career at Englewood, honing her skills as a patient advocate.

As a patient advocate, a nurse navigator, and a care coordinator, Wojna introduces herself to all of the patients who come in preoperatively for the “Joint University” class taught by her colleague, Marie Sarubbi, APN, ONP-C, who coordinates nursing care for the orthospine unit.

Wojna disseminates her contact information so patients and family members can contact her anytime with any questions and concerns. She provides patients with answers, and on those rare occasions she doesn’t know an answer, she finds it.

Not only does she offer emotionally supportive care, but she also arranges appointments, secures referrals, and facilitates medical clearances.

“Being available to provide reassurance for the patients and their families is vital to making them comfortable in our hands,” Wojna said. “Equally important is serving as their medical liaison and booking appointments to take as much off their plate as possible, like paperwork and phone calls. That’s not what any patient should worry about in an anxious time.”

The preoperative relationship paves the way for a patient’s successful journey and decreases readmission rates, which is why its importance is stressed by nurses.

“My role increases patient and family satisfaction and decreases anxiety,” Wojna added.

During the preoperative stage, Wojna completes a functional, frailty, and pain assessment of the patient. She also makes sure the patient’s discharge plan is in place and the home environment is ready with whatever they will need, such as walkers and commodes. She ensures that a complete physical therapy program is in place, that the patient understands their pain management plan, and that a visiting nurse and visiting physical therapist are regularly scheduled.

“We go to great lengths to reassure patients that we have a great team collaborating to make sure every part of their care plan is taken care of,” Wojna said.

After surgery, Peng keeps patients comfortable through humor and casual conversation while performing a physical examination. Through experience and empathy, she has learned to engage patients in conversations that will solicit responses about their recovery.

“I’ll ask, ‘How was your last night here? Were you able to sleep well?’ I’ll never ask, ‘How is your pain? Does your pump work properly?’ I’ll ask a patient to hand me something that I can’t reach. That way, I examine their functional mobility and recovery without heightening any anxiety,” Peng said.

On the joint replacement side, the continuity of care goes on postoperatively as Wojna checks on patients, answers lingering questions, and explores ways to help them further. After discharge, Wojna monitors the patient for up to 90 days, maintaining a relationship with the patient and family. She confirms patients’ post-op checkups, monitors progress in reaching their recovery goals, and arranges for any appointments or additional equipment they may need.

“The continuity of care from pre-op to well after they have been discharged means we are a one-stop shop for patients,” Wojna said. “They can call their one contact to address all of their needs and rely on our team to help resolve their issues. We consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients, so our process must be working.”

Posted on January 6, 2021

Multimodal Pain Regimens Reduce Opioids After Total Joint Replacement

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

Current literature on postoperative pain has shown that multimodal pain treatment options can be an alternative to opioids after total joint replacement surgery. These regimens can provide comparable analgesia, without the well-known consequences of opioid reliance (J Arthroplasty 2017;32[9S]:S69- S73; Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2019;33[1]:111-123).

Over the past several years, orthopedic surgeons, pain management physicians, and nurses at Englewood Health have diligently worked together to reduce opioid reliance following total joint arthroplasty.

As an example, the orthopedic surgeon will place a long-acting numbing agent, usually bupivacaine, into the surgical site toward the end of surgery. The anesthesiology team will also typically inject one or two nerve blocks before and after surgery that last from 24 to 72 hours, which relieve postsurgical pain without decreasing mobility of the muscle or joint.

“Such a strategy has been found to have better patient outcomes,” said Vinnidhy Dave, DO, director of palliative medicine for the Englewood Health Physician Network. “When patients require more opioids during surgery, they tend to have more side effects, such as constipation, nausea, and higher risk for falls. The recovery process also takes longer.”

Vinnidhy Dave, DO

“We know that when patients have expectations set and are given more information, there is definitely a significant decrease in anxiety after the surgery, in part because they know how much pain to expect. We really want to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.”

Vinnidhy Dave, DO, director of palliative medicine

Multimodal pain regimens increase the number of nonopioids prescribed in an attempt to reduce pain while minimizing the need for opioids. After surgery, patients are given acetaminophen 24 hours a day.

“There is significant literature showing that when patients take acetaminophen around the clock after joint replacement, the requirement for opioids decreases [JAMA 2019;321[6]:562-571],” Dr. Dave said.

Patients may also be prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as celecoxib, and the nerve pain agent gabapentin to further reduce pain (BMJ Open 2020;10[1]:e030501; Pain Med 2020;21[1]:161-170).

Starting physical therapy and increasing activity as soon as possible result in less pain overall (Physiotherapy 2018;104[1]:25-35). “Our physical therapists become involved very early to get patients up and moving,” Dr. Dave said. However, if pain persists, a low-dose opioid will be prescribed.

Over the past year, Englewood Health has stopped dispensing long-acting opioids for total joint arthroplasty, without a change in patient outcomes. “This has resulted in at least a 30% to 40% reduction in opioid usage,” Dr. Dave explained.

“It used to be that after surgery, patients would be given a full month’s supply of opioids, but research recently has shown that if you send patients home with less opioids, they usually do not ask for refills.”

For the past six months, Englewood orthopedists have been giving patients a five-day supply of opioids to take home with them, plus a reduction of daily tablets from between six and eight to between four and six. “We are trying to reach that balance of patients having enough pain medication at home without needing to call frequently for extra medication,” Dr. Dave said.

Prior to surgery, patients also enroll in a roughly one-hour educational seminar at the hospital called Joint University, where they learn about joint replacement surgery and recovery. The seminar, which is conducted by a pain nurse and a surgical nurse, reviews what to expect from the procedure, including postoperative pain management. Most patients welcome the use of multiple analgesic agents and physical therapy to try to minimize abusable narcotics.

“The class is to relieve anxiety and answer questions,” Dr. Dave said. “We know that when patients have expectations set and are given more information, there is definitely a significant decrease in anxiety after the surgery, in part because they know how much pain to expect. We really want to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.”

Posted on January 5, 2021

New State of the Art Vein Stent Implanted at Englewood Health

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

Dr. Steven Elias is first in New Jersey to perform procedure

The Department of Vascular Surgery at Englewood Health in Englewood New Jersey has announced that Steven Elias, MD, FACS, DABVLM, director of the Center for Vein Disease, is the first in New Jersey to implant the Zilver® Vena™ Venous Self-Expanding Stent.

Used to help patients suffering from symptomatic iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction (narrowing of the veins in the pelvic area), this new FDA-approved stent (once implanted) expands to keep blood flowing through narrow or blocked veins. Designed to balance flexibility and strength, the stent is flexible so that it can conform to a patient’s unique anatomy while it provides sufficient balance of expansion and strength to open blocked veins. Patients who have the stent implanted will go home the same day as the procedure and, in most cases, they can return to full activity the next day.

“When it comes to venous disease, being able to provide the latest advancements and procedures for our patients at Englewood Health is paramount to maintaining and improving patient outcomes,” said Dr. Elias. “These procedures can improve symptoms by about 75% – 80%, leading to a big improvement in a patient’s quality of life.”

To receive this FDA premarket approval, Cook Medical provided scientific evidence, gathered through an FDA-approved trial, that the device is safe and effective for its intended use in treating venous outflow obstruction.

Posted on January 4, 2021

Englewood Health Supports Mental Health during COVID-19 Crisis

Posted on by Keri Flaccomio

Hospital partners with Bergen Family Center’s school-based family programs to provide supportive services for youth and families

In response to the growing number of children and teenagers experiencing anxiety and depression in the U.S., intensified by the emotional toll COVID-19 has taken on the youth population in 2020, Englewood Health is expanding its behavioral health and emotional wellness programming for youth at risk for poor health outcomes. To do this, Englewood Health has partnered with Bergen Family Center’s (BFC) Division of Adolescent Services—which includes the ZONE, a school-based youth services program—to support the emotional and mental health of the youth they serve, as well as their family unit as a whole. 

Funded by a three-year grant, made to Englewood Health from the Palestroni Foundation, the program—which began in January 2020—aims to provide psycho-education for youth and caregivers through workshops, webinar series, educational materials, and support groups offering coping skills for navigating various challenges. 

Recognizing a need for increased access to support, the Englewood Health team started accepting referrals to begin individual therapy using diverse modalities, assessing the needs of youth participants, and providing a range of support-based services to address specific concerns. 

“We recognize the unmet need for quality behavioral health services to address the challenges faced by our youth,” said Darline Jerez, LCSW, community health program liaison at Englewood Health. “Prior to COVID-19, the rising rates of anxiety and depression alone showed us that youth interventions are a major need in our communities. Since COVID-19, not only have the rates increased but the severity of symptoms has worsened. The pandemic uncovered concerns that were once minimized, even neglected. The time has come for youth mental health challenges to be viewed and addressed with the same intensity and significance as any other need.” 

Additional youth interventions focus on artistic expression and healing, such as yoga and art therapy, and self-care strategies promoting mental and emotional stability, accessible through podcasts, presentations, and online material. 

Caregiver support workshops—conducted in English and Spanish—educate caregivers on the specific needs of children and adolescents, providing a processing space, building on parenting skills, and strengthening familial relationships. 

“Our partnership with Englewood Health will expand our reach to teens and their families as they navigate this public health crisis,” said Elizabeth Corsini, MPH, vice president at Bergen Family Center. “Englewood families have been disproportionately impacted by the combined trauma brought on by COVID-19 and systemic racism. This partnership will help mitigate the stress, anxiety, loneliness, fear, and uncertainty that today is a reality for so many young people and their families.” 

The series of initiatives resulting from the local partnership have seen strong engagement from youth and families. Both the Englewood Health and BFC teams are confident this influential work will equip the community at large with the coping skills and resiliency necessary to make it through difficult times and come out stronger on the other side.

Posted on December 22, 2020

First Vaccinations at Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams

The close of 2020 is proving to be an exciting time at Englewood Health as we wrap up our first wave of COVID-19 vaccinations. With close to 1,200 team members vaccinated in less than a week’s time, the organization is breathing a collective sigh of relief, applauding the selflessness of our frontline healthcare workers, and celebrating the beginning of the end for the COVID-19 pandemic. After nine long months battling COVID-19, the Englewood Health team has been reenergized by this turning point. The vaccine has brought a real sense of hope to the surface as the first step in getting back to the way of life we knew before COVID-19, albeit with some modifications. As the New Year approaches, what matters most is the commitment to caring for ourselves, our colleagues, our families, and our world. This is not the end, but it’s one step closer. Ready, set, vaccinate!

Englewood Health is currently following the CDC guidance on administering the vaccine to frontline healthcare workers. We expect to offer the vaccine to patients and the general public in 2021. More information will be posted here when those details are available.

Posted on December 22, 2020

Bloodless Techniques Used In Spinal Deformity Surgery

Posted on by Anthony Figueroa

One of the unique surgeries performed at Englewood Health that is not offered by many other health systems is bloodless spinal deformity surgery, which is reserved for patients such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, for whom blood transfusion is not an option. “Spinal deformity surgery is associated with significant blood loss, often requiring the transfusion of blood and/or blood products,” said Yakov Gologorsky, MD, a neurosurgeon at Englewood Health. Spinal deformity surgery is associated with unacceptably high rates of morbidity and mortality in patients who refuse blood or blood products, according to Dr. Gologorsky, who is also an associate clinical professor of neurosurgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. “This is why these patients have historically been denied spinal deformity surgery,” he said.

Now, these patients can be referred to the bloodless surgery program at Englewood Health. With the help of multiple clinicians, including hematologists, patients may be pretreated with erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. The clinical team also ensures that before surgery, patients have appropriate levels of iron, folate and other essential elements to optimize their blood count.

The anesthesiologist works closely with the surgeon to help minimize blood loss. Immediately prior to surgery, the anesthesiologist removes a certain volume of whole blood from the patient through acute normovolemic hemodilution and replaces it with intravenous fluids. “This process dilutes the whole blood that is present in the body,” Dr. Gologorsky said. “Hence, when a patient loses blood, they are actually losing diluted blood, which has fewer red cells.”

In the middle of surgery, the whole blood is returned to the patient to maintain the blood count within a safe range. In addition, antifibrinolytic agents such as epsilon-aminocaproic acid (Amicar) or tranexamic acid are administered perioperatively. “These agents help with clot formation and decrease blood loss,” Dr. Gologorsky said. Other blood conservation techniques that minimize the risk for transfusion, such as cell salvage, are used as well.

After surgery, which may last anywhere from two to 10 hours, patients remain hospitalized for three to 10 days. Some surgeries are purposefully staged three months apart, especially for those involving extreme deformity corrections. “In almost all instances, we are able to accomplish the goals of surgery and correct the spinal deformity,” Dr. Gologorsky said.

Dr. Gologorsky is the principal investigator of a new retrospective study of 28 patients with 34 admissions (median age, 37 years; range, 11-65 years). All patients underwent bloodless spinal deformity surgery at Englewood Health between 2002 and 2019. Of note, 50% of the cohort had significant medical comorbidities, but were still able to undergo the surgeries safely.

“Deformity correction and goals of surgery were achieved in 24 of the 28 patients,” Dr. Gologorsky said. “With proper preoperative planning and judicious use of blood conservation techniques, spinal deformity surgery may be performed safely and effectively.”

Dr. Gologorsky said the same techniques could be applied widely to the general population to minimize blood loss and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion.

“Patients are extremely pleased and truly grateful for the services that we provide,” he said. “These patients are often miserable and have undergone other surgeries. We offer them tangible results and improvement in their quality of life.”

Posted on December 18, 2020

COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives at Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams

Frontline team members set to receive vaccination

Frontline team members receive COVID-19 vaccination

December 18, 2020 — In a historic event, Englewood Health has received its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which it began administering to its frontline team members earlier today.

“Since day one of the pandemic, our team never hesitated for one second to care for the many communities we serve and stood tall in the face of an unknown and unpredictable new virus,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Today, by beginning to administer the first round of vaccines to our team members, we turn the page to the start of a new chapter in our efforts to combat COVID-19, and we could not be more excited.”

Frontline members of the emergency department—which has seen nearly 3,000 COVID-19 patients during the course of the pandemic—as well as the intensive care unit, other inpatient units, and specialty services such as infectious disease and pulmonology, are among the first to receive the vaccine today. The vaccine is being offered in a phased approach following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New Jersey Department of Health as the supply becomes available.

“It is so important to get the vaccine once it’s available to you in order to reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill,” said Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “It’s the right thing to do to protect not only ourselves, but also one another.”

Frontline team members receive COVID-19 vaccination

The first injections of the vaccine were administered in unison earlier this morning to four team members from different disciplines in recognition of the teamwork and all-hands-on-deck approach that continues to help Englewood Health navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After a very long and trying year, today we take a collective sigh of relief and we celebrate,” said Hillary Cohen, MD, vice president of medical affairs and chief of the emergency department at Englewood Health. “We are not just celebrating the miracle of science that has brought us a safe and effective vaccine in record time, but we also celebrate the bravery and selflessness of our frontline healthcare workers. Today we thank our team members as we vaccinate them. The vaccine will make sure they are protected and can go home to their families at night and not worry they will bring home this disease, which is now taking 3,000 lives a day in this country.”

“Throughout the course of this pandemic, we’ve seen glimmers of hope. But what we are seeing today is more than a glimmer. It’s true light at the end of the tunnel. At the same time, it’s extremely important to remind everyone that this does not mean it’s okay to let our guard down,” said Stephen Brunnquell, MD, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “Even after receiving the vaccine, individuals must continue to wear masks, social distance, and practice hand hygiene—everything we all have been doing since the start of the pandemic in the spring. If we continue to keep our foot on the gas pedal, we’ll be that much closer to coming out the other side of this unprecedented series of events.”

The first recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were Craigh Bryan, MD, a hospitalist; Brianna Cioffi, a patient care associate in the main COVID unit; Cody Lallathin, RN, a nurse in the cardiac unit; and Eric Maldonado, RN, an ICU nurse.

“I’m proud to be from the ICU, and to be one of the first recipients,” said Maldonado. “It’s a sign of hope, a glimpse of going back to normal. “If the nurses get sick, who is going to take care of the patients?”

Dr. Bryan added, “The fact that we have a vaccine that we know is effective and safe is astounding. I’m very hopeful that from here on things are going to change for the better.”

Englewood Health expects to offer the vaccine to patients and the general public in 2021. More information will be posted on the Englewood Health website when those details are available.

The New Jersey Department of Health has set up a website for individuals to learn more about the vaccine and the vaccination process. Visit covid19.nj.gov for information.

In Major Shift, Regional Anesthesia Reduces Reliance on Opioids

Posted on by Anthony Figueroa

Anesthesiologists and pain medicine specialists are increasingly avoiding or reducing dosages in narcotics as the new standard of care. At the same time, advances in imaging and more portable ultrasound machines have allowed anesthesiologists to perform regional blocks of peripheral nerves with increased accuracy and frequency.

“Our precision with regional anesthesia has grown exponentially over the last few years as the imaging has become more fine-tuned thanks to the combination of ultrasound guidance and skill,” said Gregg Lobel, MD, the chief of anesthesiology at Englewood Health.

The ultrasound allows Dr. Lobel and his colleagues to visualize the nerve bundle that innervates the targeted area and to visualize the needle as it approaches the nerve. They stop the needle just short of the nerve to inject numbing local anesthetic. Ultrasound can visualize the local anesthetic surrounding the nerve.

The anesthesiology team can then thread a catheter through the needle to deliver a steady stream of site-specific nerve blocking agents to aid postoperative recovery for three days or more.

“By doing this, we reduce the need for opioids, which greatly reduces the future risk of substance abuse, so there’s tremendous upside to this method if you look at the risks and benefits,” Dr. Lobel said. “I’m glad to see it become the new standard of care.”

Opioids used for postoperative analgesia are frequently associated with adverse effects, including nausea and constipation, preventing smooth postoperative recovery.

“Suffering from those side effects causes stress,” Dr. Lobel said. “That’s not healthy for recovery.”

Regional anesthesia is commonly employed as brachial plexus blocks, paravertebral blocks, femoral nerve blocks, and sciatic and popliteal nerve blocks.

Academic research has found regional blocks to produce superior outcomes compared with IV opioids. A May 2020 study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (2020;102[10]:866-872) found that fascia iliaca nerve blocks following a hip fracture in a geriatric population were linked to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and reduced opioid use. Similarly, on the other end of the spectrum, a review (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;[12]:CD009587) found that a fascia iliaca compartment block for femur fractures in children provides better and longer-lasting pain relief with fewer adverse events than IV opioids.

Multimodal analgesia, which includes nerve blocks, is one of the most effective methods to reduce narcotic use in pain management, Dr. Lobel explained. It maximizes analgesic efficacy through the combination of several analgesic regimens, while minimizing undesired adverse effects, he said.

“We often turn to multimodal treatments since we can prescribe a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories with COX-2 inhibitors, acetaminophen and gabapentin, among others that work on different pain pathways,” Dr. Lobel said. “Each diminished pain pathway then decreases the need for stronger treatments, which helps us reach our goal of ultimately reducing the need for narcotics.”

A 2019 literature review published online by Orthopedic Surgery (2019;11[5]:755-761) found multiple benefits of multimodal analgesia for total knee arthroplasty when compared with standard care: greater pain relief, better knee recovery, and reductions in opioid consumption and related adverse effects. “In pain management at Englewood, we’re dedicated to working with the patient to deliver the best outcomes that accelerate recovery and decrease the need for opioids,” Dr. Lobel said.

As a specialist in pediatric anesthesiology, he finds that commitment strikes a chord with parents who are concerned that childhood sports injuries will introduce their kids to narcotic pain medicine. “They’re usually relieved to find that our multimodal approach with nonopioid analgesic medications and regional anesthesia mean their kids won’t take anything much stronger than Tylenol.”

Posted on December 17, 2020

Englewood Health Nationally Recognized with ‘A’ for Fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

Posted on by John Williams

December 14, 2020 — Today Englewood Health was awarded an ‘A’ in the Fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. This recognition comes less than a week after Englewood Health was named ‘Pandemic Hero of the Year’ by The Leapfrog Group. 

“The entire team at Englewood Health takes great pride in receiving an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group for consistently putting patient care first,” said Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “This recognition speaks to our primary goal of providing an exceptional experience to our patients.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data, developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

“At Englewood Health we aim to meet each patient’s individual needs as both as an inpatient and in transition of care after discharge. Earning The Leapfrog Group ‘A’ grade speaks to the dedication of our entire staff to ensuring our patients have the best possible outcomes,” said Jamie Ketas, vice president of quality at Englewood Health.

“We are extremely grateful to hospital leadership and healthcare workers who have remained steadfast in prioritizing patient safety as our nation battles COVID-19,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This ‘A’ is a testament to the care and commitment of those who work for Englewood Health. With the current pandemic exposing existing flaws within the U.S. healthcare system, we appreciate you putting patient safety first. Lives depend on it.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to healthcare quality and safety. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D,’ or ‘F’ to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harm to patients.

To see Englewood Health’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Englewood Health Receives National Recognition as Pandemic Hero of the Year by The Leapfrog Group

Posted on by John Williams

December 8, 2020 — Englewood Health has been awarded the Leapfrog Pandemic Hero of the Year Award by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers focused on healthcare safety and quality. This prestigious national honor recognizes Englewood Health’s extraordinary commitment to patient safety and ensuring the health and well-being of their employees throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The winner of this one-time national award was selected by an interdisciplinary committee of Leapfrog leaders and advisors.

“At Englewood Health, we absolutely know what it means to go above and beyond,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Our entire team did not hesitate for one moment to care for the many communities we serve. What I witnessed—not surprisingly—was each and every member of the Englewood Health team stepping up in every way imaginable. They put everything else aside. They saved many lives. And our job as leaders was to support them every step of the way. I thank Leapfrog for recognizing this team and I am confident that we will continue to live up to this recognition in the days and months ahead.”

“Our interdisciplinary awards committee had the difficult job of reviewing dozens of excellent nominees from across the country,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “They were most impressed by the people of Englewood Health, who came together in so many ways showing courage and compassion in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. They have inspired us all.”

In honoring Englewood Health with the award, the selection committee noted several initiatives acted upon by the health system during the height of the surge, including:

  • The creation of a physician liaison team, in which surgeons and other physicians who were not caring for COVID-19 patients served as a connection for the patients’ families
  • The launch of telemedicine visits to provide continuity of care
  • The efforts of the patient and family engagement team to maintain needed human connections and minimize feelings of isolation for patients and families through daily phone calls and the use of virtual technology
  • Human resources’ promotion of its employee assistance program and other means of mental health support for Englewood Health’s 5,000 employees and affiliated providers
  • The establishment of an employee relief fund
  • Myriad approaches to communicating the importance of social distancing
  • Partnering with local first responders to prepare for COVID-19 patient arrivals, establish triage protocols, increase understanding of COVID-19, and educate on personal protection
  • Taking time to celebrate successes, including a vehicle parade of first recognizing frontline workers, as well as playing the song “Don’t Stop Believin’” and having staff cheer as each COVID-19 patient was discharged to go home.

Hospitals and first responders must be ready to expect the unexpected. But there are moments when life challenges us in ways no one can anticipate. Here’s what the Englewood Health community did when COVID-19 emerged in 2020.

We Are Better Together: COVID-19 Commemoration

“Our nurses and multidisciplinary team members demonstrated a commitment to provide the very best care for our patients and our community when we were at the epicenter of the pandemic in New Jersey last spring,” said Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “At Englewood Health, we have a culture of family, and that feeling of being part of something bigger than you is my takeaway on how a healthcare organization can weather a public health crisis of this magnitude. Thank you to Leapfrog’s leadership for recognizing our family and our commitment to doing what we do best—caring for our community and about each other.”

As part of one of New Jersey’s leading hospitals and healthcare networks, Englewood Health’s clinical leaders have served as thought leaders in the community and collaborated across health systems to share best practices and continue caring for patients and staff throughout the pandemic. In addition, the patient and family engagement team replaced traditional bedside rounding with virtual daily rounding, conducting daily calls to every admitted patient in the hospital, as well as every family, to provide updates and ensure needs were met.

“By sticking to our guiding principles of caring for our community and caring for one another, we were able to face the pandemic in a way that made our medical staff and team members feel supported and protected,” said Alexandra Gottdiener, MD, chief of medicine at Englewood Health. “On behalf of all of the physicians at Englewood Health, I thank Leapfrog for recognizing our team’s unwavering commitment to our patients and the community.”