Englewood Hospital Is Only Hospital in NJ Awarded Spinal Fusion Certification from Joint Commission

Posted on by Cody

 

March 3, 2017 — After a rigorous on-site review, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Spinal Fusion Certification for the third consecutive time since 2012. It is the only hospital in New Jersey to receive a Gold Seal for spinal fusion, a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

Englewood Hospital was also recertified with the Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement and with the Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers.

“The Joint Commission’s recertification of our hip/knee, stroke, and spinal fusion programs is a strong testament to our ongoing efforts to bring the safest, highest-quality, and most technologically advanced care to our community,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “We thank our doctors, nurses, and other staff for their tireless efforts to make us who we are and congratulate them on this recognition of excellence by The Joint Commission.”

At Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, the spinal surgery team includes neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, as well as anesthesiologists, pain management specialists, registered nurses, physician assistants and advanced practice nurses, rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to restoring patients to a state of optimal health and well-being. In addition to being the only hospital in New Jersey to receive this Joint Commission certification in spinal fusion, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is ranked No. 1 in the state and among the top 10 percent in the nation by CareChex/Quantros for both medical excellence and patient safety in spinal fusion, and has been a 5-Star Recipient for spinal fusion surgery for five years in a row by Healthgrades.

“Being the only New Jersey hospital certified by The Joint Commission for spinal fusion is an honor that reflects the dedication and hard work of our interdisciplinary team,” says Dr. Michael T. Harris, chief medical officer and chief of surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “Having strong and diverse care teams – not only for spinal surgery, but also joint replacement surgery and stroke care – allows us to focus on every element of care that impacts the patient experience and outcome, such as timeliness of care, infection prevention and avoidance of complications, culturally appropriate patient and family education, pain assessment and management, and restoration of mobility and quality of life.”

The hospital underwent a review in September 2016 for all three programs in which Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with national disease-specific care standards. Clinical practice guidelines and performance measures also were assessed.

Heart-Smart Ways Women Can Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Posted on by Cody
Sarah Kaplan MD
Dr. Sarah Kaplan, cardiologist at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

More women than men have died each year from heart disease in the United States since 1984, according to the National Institutes of Health. Yet, there’s still a long-held perception that heart disease is predominately a man’s disease. Research indicates that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year, but can also present differently than in men.

In recognition of Heart Health Month, Dr. Sarah Kaplan, cardiologist at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, is encouraging women to learn more about the misconceptions of heart disease and to take steps to reduce their risks.

 

Q: What are some misconceptions of heart disease?

Dr. Kaplan: Many people don’t realize that while women certainly may experience the classic symptoms of a heart attack such as chest pain and heaviness, they also can encounter more subtle symptoms such as back or jaw pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness. As a result, women may not realize they are experiencing cardiac symptoms.

 

Q: What are a few ways women can reduce their risk?

Dr. Kaplan: Three everyday ways women can reduce their risk are to quit smoking, eat balanced and appropriately portioned meals, and exercise.

Exercise, in particular, really goes a long way—think of physical activity as your medicine. I often recommend embracing an early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine of exercising first thing in the morning at least 2 days during the week and on the weekend. It’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor to make sure your exercise routine is a good fit for you. And remember, portion size and a healthy diet are just as important for heart health.

Oftentimes, women put others’ needs ahead of their own and don’t make their health a priority. To stay strong and healthy, it’s important for women to understand their individual heart disease risk factors and make heart-smart lifestyle choices.

 

Q: Do you have any advice on how to make exercise routine?

Dr. Kaplan: To make exercise habitual, schedule physical activity like a meeting or an appointment. Think of it like anything else you have to do during your day. Choose activities you really like and want to do and you’re more likely to stick with it. Try also grabbing a friend or family member for a walk around the park to help keep each other motivated.

 

Q: How can women make heart-smart food choices?

Dr. Kaplan: I recommend cooking at home more and making heart-healthy choices at restaurants, incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Limit saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, and alcohol.

 

Q: What other lifestyle choices do you recommend to reduce heart disease risk?

Dr. Kaplan: Women can reduce heart disease risk by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco products, learning family history of heart disease, knowing health numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, reducing stress through relaxation activities such as meditation, yoga, and massage, and getting annual health screenings.

 

Posted February 22, 2017

Dr. Anna Serur Appointed Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

Posted on by Cody

January 4, 2017 – Dr. Anna Serur has been named chief of colon and rectal surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, effective January 1, 2017. Dr. Serur, a renowned surgeon with expertise in colorectal cancer and complex colorectal conditions, is one of only a handful of colorectal surgeons in the New York metropolitan area who performs minimally invasive pelvic procedures focused on nerve sparing and organ function preservation.

Dr. Serur specializes in laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery, anorectal procedures and reoperative abdominal and pelvic surgery, including sphincter-sparing surgery and avoidance of permanent colostomy. These minimally invasive approaches use small incisions in combination with 3D high-definition imaging for enhanced vision and control, leading to a more precise and accurate procedure.

“Dr. Serur’s expertise will be invaluable as we expand our cancer care and inflammatory bowel disease programs at the medical center, which will allow patients to be treated and receive follow-up care closer to home,” says Dr. Michael T. Harris, chief medical officer at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, who also specializes in colorectal surgery, particularly for inflammatory bowel disease. “With Dr. Serur’s arrival, we’ve completed the assembly of a team of highly skilled experts to serve our community, treating complex cancer diagnoses and GI conditions, using the same technologies, treatment plans and monitoring found in leading cancer centers. She joins a team of gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons that is unparalleled in our region.”

“Dr. Serur is distinguished in her field as a leader in treating colon and rectal cancer. Her technical skills and interests will be key to our multidisciplinary treatment and management of colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Steven Brower, medical director of The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “As chief of colon and rectal surgery, Dr. Serur will work very closely with our chief of hematology/oncology, who specializes in primary and metastatic colorectal cancers, bringing our comprehensive, personalized care to an exceptional level.”

Most recently, Dr. Serur was the director of colorectal surgery at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and an assistant professor at Hofstra University School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from State University of New York-Downstate, completed her surgical residency at NewYork Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and then completed a fellowship at North Shore University Hospital in colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Serur has published multiple research manuscripts, written numerous book chapters, and presented at national and international conferences. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dr. Serur has been named a Top Doctor in the NY-Metro area by Castle Connolly and has been the recipient of several awards including the Outstanding Resident Achievement Award by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

Dr. Serur is a member of MDPartners, the physician network of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, and can be reached at 201-608-2800.

Surgical and Hospital Care at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Recognized as Among Top 10 Percent in Nation

Posted on by Cody

December 13, 2016 – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has been nationally recognized as a leader in providing exceptional and safe patient care by Healthgrades and Carechex®—an information service of Quantros, Inc. According to an analysis by Quantros, the medical center is among the top 10 percent in the nation and in New Jersey for overall hospital care, top 10 percent in the nation and No. 1 in the state for overall surgical care, and is No. 1 in the state for excellence in major clinical areas.

At a recent award ceremony held at the medical center, representatives from Quantros and Healthgrades, another health rating agency, presented medical excellence and patient safety awards in the following clinical areas: cardiac surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurosurgery/orthopedic surgery, oncology, vascular surgery, and women’s health.

These awards follow on the heels of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center’s tenth consecutive Hospital Safety Grade “A” since 2012 from the Leapfrog Group. Only three hospitals in New Jersey and 72 in the nation have achieved this record of distinction. In addition, the 2016-17 issue of US News and World Report’s Best Hospitals named Englewood Hospital and Medical Center as a “Best Regional Hospital.”

This year the hospital also received national recognition for its nursing excellence, as well as its use of technology infrastructure to support high-quality patient care and services.

“We are incredibly proud to receive national recognition for our high-quality care,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “These honors recognize all of our practitioners for their unwavering commitment to providing an extraordinary experience for each and every patient who comes through our doors.”

#1 in NJ and Top 10% in nation
CareChex Medical Excellence

  • Coronary Bypass Surgery
  • Major Bowel Procedures
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Women’s Health

#1 in NJ and Top 10% in nation
CareChex Patient Safety

  • Spinal Fusion
  • Overall Surgical Care

Top 10% in nation
CareChex Medical Excellence

  • Cardiac Care
  • Orthopedic Care
  • Cancer Care
  • Major Cardiac Surgery

Top 10% in nation
CareChex Patient Safety

  • Major Cardiac Surgery
  • Major Neuro Surgery
  • Major Orthopedic Surgery
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Cancer Care
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Women’s Health
  • Overall Hospital Care
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
  • General Surgery

Top 5% in nation
Healthgrades Women’s Care Excellence Awards

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award
  • Labor and Delivery Excellence Award

5-Star Recipient
Healthgrades

  • Pacemaker procedure
  • Defibrillator Procedure
  • Gallbladder Removal Surgery
  • Appendectomy
  • Vaginal Delivery
  • C-section Delivery

Hospital-wide awards

  • Leapfrog Group:
    Tenth consecutive Safety Grade of “A” – Fall 2016
    1 of 3 hospitals in NJ and 1 of 72 hospitals nationwide to earn straight “A’s.”
  • Hospitals & Health Networks:
    One of Healthcare’s “Most Wired” Hospitals – third consecutive time
  • U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals”:
    #7 in NJ out of 95 hospitals evaluated
    #16 in NY metro area out of 169 hospitals evaluated
    High-performing in heart bypass surgery, heart failure, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip replacement, and knee replacement
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center:
    Magnet Recognition Program® – 4 consecutive times since 2002
    Currently, only 7 percent of U.S. health care organizations have achieved Magnet recognition

New After-Hours Primary-Care Practice Accommodates Patients’ Busy Schedules

Posted on by Cody

 

December 12, 2016 — MDPartners, the physician network of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, has opened its doors on a new primary care practice in Bergenfield. The practice is unique in that is offers primary care specifically on evenings and weekends for busy professionals, students, and others who can’t always see a doctor during the day.

“Many patients unnecessarily turn to an emergency room or an urgent care center when they have trouble making an appointment with a primary care physician,” said Stephen Brunnquell, MD, vice president of medical affairs at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “Maybe they don’t have their own doctor, or maybe their doctor’s hours are inconvenient. This new practice fills this important gap for those needing to see a primary care practitioner on off hours.”

The practice offers seamless access to specialists in the full MDPartners network, which comprises more than 300 primary care physicians, specialists and other practitioners in northern New Jersey and Rockland County, New York. If a patient is experiencing a true emergency, the practice will quickly have the patient transferred to the emergency department at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

MDPartners – Bergenfield, located at 1 North Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, offers service for sick visits, non-emergency injuries, routine vaccinations, and other primary care needs. Patients have access to an online patient portal. The practice accepts nearly all major insurance plans and offers free onsite parking. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The phone number is 201-374-9106.

Benefactor Names Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center

Posted on by Cody
ehmc_new-cancer-center-name
Pictured from left, Warren Geller, CEO and President of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Jay Nadel, Chairman of the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation, Ronald Lefcourt, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center benefactor and local businessman, and Thomas C. Senter, Esq., Chairman of the Englewood Healthcare System and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

November 17, 2016 — Englewood Hospital and Medical Center unveiled the name of its new cancer center, The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, on November 16, and recognized local businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lefcourt for his support of the medical center’s mission to bring high-quality, humanistic cancer care to the region.

Mr. Lefcourt, president of Alliance Shippers Inc., headquartered in Englewood Cliffs and one of North America’s premier, privately owned global logistics and transportation companies, made a lead gift to the medical center’s capital campaign, Transforming the Future: Our Campaign for Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

“My family considers Englewood Hospital and Medical Center a trusted and valued pillar of our community,” says Mr. Lefcourt. “When communities have access to good quality care, everyone wins. I am proud to support the medical center in recognition of the outstanding care provided to me and my family over the years.”

The gift brings the total amount raised in the campaign to $42 million, within reach of its $50 million goal.

“We see ourselves as a partner in our patients’ healthcare. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Lefcourt, our patients and our community will benefit from a stronger clinical team, new services and programs, enhanced diagnostics and treatment, all centered on the humanistic care our patients expect,” says Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

“Mr. Lefcourt’s commitment to our medical center is exemplary of Englewood Hospital’s strong culture of philanthropy,” says Jay Nadel, Chairman of the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation. “The investments made by Mr. Lefcourt and the many others who have given to Transforming the Future: Our Campaign for Englewood Hospital and Medical Center are a reminder that we can successfully work together to secure and improve access to care in our communities.”

Established with support from Transforming the Future, The Lefcourt Family Cancer and Treatment Center represents a new standard for cancer care, where patients are treated as guests with amenities to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience. The 185,000 sq. ft. facility houses all cancer services and specialists in one location, minimizing patient anxiety and making for a smooth, seamless transition from one area to another. The cancer center offers a multidisciplinary care approach, bridging nationally recognized specialists, empathetic clinical staff, advanced technology, and comprehensive services together to create tailored plans for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

“The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center offers a personalized approach to cancer care that is built around each individual’s unique needs, with special attention given to caring for the whole body and addressing the needs of the patient’s family,” says Steven Brower, MD, medical director of The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center.

Patient diagnostic and treatment services include advanced breast imaging using 3D mammography, laser-focused detection of cancer using a 3T MRI machine, robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques, TrueBeam radiotherapy system for a more precise treatment and quicker recovery, precision medicine and infusion therapy to target cancer on a molecular level, cancer risk assessment, access to clinical trials and research, integrative medicine to reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life, and support groups and other services. Carefully considered design elements from soft lighting to spa-infused features to comfortable furniture and private infusion rooms make for a relaxing space for patients to receive treatment, and where family and friends are encouraged to participate in ways that help their loved one heal.

The cancer center has been designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

Patient Safety Recognized as Top Priority at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

Posted on by Cody

 

November 2, 2016 – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has earned the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade “A” for the 10th consecutive time since 2012, making it one of only three hospitals in New Jersey and one of 72 hospitals in the nation to earn straight “A’s.”

The Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog organization, recently announced its fall 2016 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a biannual letter grade assigned to more than 2,600 hospitals in the nation.

“We are very proud to receive our 10th consecutive Safety Grade “A” from the Leapfrog Group, which reflects our commitment to meeting the highest care standards and prioritizing patient safety,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

Using 30 evidence-based measures of patient safety, The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is calculated by top patient safety experts. The rating system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

“Earning Straight ‘A’s’ in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a remarkable achievement and testament to a hospital’s ongoing vigilance and commitment to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We thank Englewood Hospital and Medical Center for being an example of excellence in preventing harm to patients.”

15 Tips to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

Posted on by Cody

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in infants from ages one month to one year. October is SIDS Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about this tragic cause of death.

Here are 15 recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics on reducing the risk of SIDS.

1. Back to sleep for every sleep.
Whether it’s a short nap during the day, or putting your baby down for the night, infants should always be placed to sleep on their backs.

2. Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib.
Cover the mattress with a fitted sheet and nothing else! No soft, fluffy bedding, toys, or pillows in the baby’s sleep area.

3. Breastfeeding is recommended.
Unless medically contraindicated, mothers should breastfeed exclusively or feed with expressed milk (i.e., not offer any formula or other non-human milk-based supplements) for at least six months.

4. Room-in with your infant at home.
It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents’ room, but in his/her own crib or basinet, ideally for the first year of life, but at least for the first six months. Evidence exists that infants who sleep in their parents’ room, in their own cribs, have a decreased risk of SIDS of as much as 50%.

5. Keep soft objects and loose bedding away from the infant’s sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
Soft objects, such as pillows and pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and loose bedding, such as blankets and non-fitted sheets, can obstruct an infant’s nose and mouth. An obstructed airway can pose a risk of suffocation, entrapment, or SIDS.

6. Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
Although the mechanism is yet unclear, a protective effect of pacifiers on the incidence of SIDS has been reported. The protective effect of the pacifier is observed even if the pacifier falls out of the infant’s mouth. It does not need to be reinserted once the infant falls asleep.

7. Do not allow any smoking near or around your baby!
Both maternal smoking during pregnancy and smoke in the infant’s environment after birth are major risk factors for SIDS. Mothers should not smoke during pregnancy or after the infant’s birth. The risk of SIDS is particularly high when the infant shares a bed with an adult smoker, even when the adult does not smoke in bed.

8. Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.
There is an increased risk of SIDS with prenatal and postnatal exposure to alcohol or illicit drug use. Parental alcohol and/or illicit drug use in combination with bed-sharing places the infant at particularly high risk of SIDS.

9. Avoid overheating and head covering in infants.
In general, infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment, with no greater than one layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable in that environment. Parents and caregivers should evaluate the infant for signs of overheating, such as sweating or the infant’s chest feeling hot to the touch. Overbundling and covering of the face and head should be avoided.

10. Pregnant women should obtain regular prenatal care.
There is a substantial linking of a lower risk of SIDS for infants whose mothers obtain regular prenatal care. Pregnant women should follow guidelines for frequency of prenatal visits.

11. Infants should be immunized in accordance with recommendations of the AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Evidence suggests that vaccination may have a protective effect against SIDS.

12. Avoid the use of commercial devices that are inconsistent with safe sleep recommendations.
Be particularly wary of devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. Examples include, but are not limited to, wedges and positioners and other devices placed in the adult bed for the purpose of positioning or separating the infant from others in the bed.

13. Do not use home cardiorespiratory monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS.
The use of cardiorespiratory monitors has not been documented to decrease the incidence of SIDS.

14. Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate development.
The SIDS taskforce and the AAP Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine and Section on Neurologic Surgery agree that “a certain amount of prone positioning, or ‘tummy time,’ while the infant is awake and being observed is recommended to help facilitate the infant’s development and strength necessary for timely attainment of certain motor milestones.”

15. Swaddling is not recommended as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Swaddling, or wrapping the infant in a light blanket, is often used as a strategy to calm the infant while he/she is lying on their back. There is a high risk of death if a swaddled infant is placed in the crib/basinet lying on their stomach, or if a swaddled infant rolls to that position. If infants are swaddled, they should always be placed on the back. Swaddling should be snug around the chest but allow for ample room at the hips and knees. When an infant exhibits signs of attempting to roll, swaddling should no longer be used.

For additional information, please see “SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment” from the AAP.

Posted on October 28, 2016

Annie’s Story – IBD

Posted on by Cody

 

When Annie experienced intense pain near her appendix, she knew something was wrong. She turned to Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, where gastroenterologists discovered the reason for her pain–Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that was damaging sections of her intestines. Learning surgery might be her best option to improve her quality of life, Annie decided to have a portion of her colon and appendix removed. The personal connection she experienced with her care team helped Annie see the light at the end of the tunnel and not let her disease define her. Learn more about Annie’s inspirational story.

Posted on October 14, 2016