Latest news with #HackensackUniversityMedicalCenter
Fast Company
31-07-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
More than an award: What our top ranking means for your health
BY For the first time, U.S News & World Report included a New Jersey hospital among the nation's top 20, and I am so proud that it is the flagship of Hackensack Meridian Health: Hackensack University Medical Center. How did we get here? It's a continuous effort to create a culture of quality, safety, transparency, and trust and to embrace analytics and advanced technology and, of course, focus relentlessly on our patients. Awards are great, but the real gift is saving more lives and enhancing the quality of those lives in the most fundamental ways. Last year alone, at Hackensack University Medical Center, 354 people who were not expected to live given severity of their illness are enjoying family, friends, and so much more. This is why we do what we do. Here are a few lessons I've learned along the continuing journey to getting better. 1. Create a culture that focuses on safety and quality. In more than 40 years of healthcare leadership, I have seen that the blame game does not work. The industry has shifted rightly to a non-punitive, just culture that encourages the reporting of errors and near-misses without fear of retribution. This approach resulted in a 95% reduction in commercial flight deaths, and it's making a measurable difference in healthcare, too. Throughout our 18-hospital system, we have reduced preventable deaths, hospital-acquired infections, preventable readmissions, surgical complications, and falls. And our patient satisfaction scores at our flagship improved 23% during the last few years, greatly outperforming the national rate of improvement. We also invest in the best teams, and that's paying off, too. We recruit top physicians and nurses and continue to monitor their performance throughout their tenure. Our teams focus care on the quadruple aim: improving the patient experience, improving population health, delivering more value, and enhancing the nurse and physician experience. Daily team huddles help staff report near misses, great successes, and everything in between, a key component in developing a high-reliability organization. It's important to note that we are already teaching this to the next generation of physicians at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. 2. Create standardized processes and embrace evidence-based practices. Don't underestimate the basics. One of the most notable achievements in patient safety was a simple and effective tool to reduce central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), which can be deadly. A five-step checklist requires teams to cover the fundamentals, including proper hand hygiene and gloving. After 18 months, CLABSI rates decreased at Johns Hopkins by two-thirds and the processes are now used in hospitals throughout the country. We are taking best practices and disseminating them across the entire network, a major advantage of an 18-hospital system. Here's an example that we developed during COVID at Hackensack University Medical Center and continue to use. The Joint Commission, which is responsible for evaluating U.S. healthcare organizations, reported that poor communication is a contributing factor in more than 60% of all hospital adverse events. We have multi-disciplinary rounding to ensure there is effective communication among clinicians. Each hospital floor has a leader, who is a hospitalist who coordinates care and pulls in everyone—pharmacists, physical therapists, etc.—to understand what's going on with the patient, who joins in the conversation along with a loved one. 3. Put people first. We have all been patients. It's clear what patients want: confidence in their care team and the institution. At Hackensack Meridian Health, every part of the patient journey focuses on patient care, whether it's nursing or in groundbreaking construction. Nearly two-and-a-half years ago, we opened an $800 million 9-story surgical and intensive care tower at Hackensack University Medical Center with all private rooms, six daVinci robots, and an intraoperative MRI so patients can remain in the OR for imaging. In their private rooms, patients have a tablet to control lights, shades, and temperature and the option to order from an extensive menu. We also make sure every patient has a care companion—a loved one who can stay 24/7 whom we provide with meals, parking passes, and a pull-out bed and who we include in every patient conversation with our staff. This is a great comfort to patients, enhances care, and is a real differentiator for our network. Beyond having exceptional teams, we make sure we care for the caregivers. Hackensack Meridian was recognized this year as a Fortune 100 Best Places to Work among all companies, across all industries; 85 percent of our team members consider HMH a great place to work. We are supporting our teams in myriad ways, including turning to AI and other technology to ease administrative burdens. We also provide generous financial support for team members to continue their education. 4. Leverage data and technology. Timely data collection and analysis are at the core of good care. We created dashboards to act like GPS and put that data in the hands of the clinical teams at the bedside and during huddles. It's not only patient data that's available; the data also offers comparisons to national averages, further empowering teams. No one ever became a nurse or doctor to be average. There's no question AI is having a transformative impact. It has the potential to improve care delivery on a scale we have never seen. Predictive analytics can help hospitals better focus on patients at high risk for various conditions or let executives know when they need to schedule more staff. When I think of all that we have achieved and where we are headed, I am reminded of the iconic football coach and legend Vince Lombardi who said: 'Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.' Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, is the CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey's largest health network with 18 hospitals, more than 500 patient locations and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Find Doing This 1 Thing Cuts Your Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke in Half
New research illuminates the importance of incidental physical activity (IPA) for heart health. IPA is the movement we engage in outside of structured workouts. Experts share how you can prioritize IPA and potentially lower your heart attack and stroke risk. Past research has found that as little as 30 minutes of daily exercise can lower heart attack risk. Similarly, prolonged sitting has been found to damage heart health, even if you exercise regularly. Now, a new study finds that incidental physical activity (like cleaning the house or gardening) may lower your heart attack and stroke risk, which gives you a good reason to keep up with your chores. Meet the Experts: Srihari S. Naidu, M.D., cardiologist and professor of medicine at New York Medical College, Craig Basman, M.D., cardiologist and associate director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical Center, and Lindsay Sarrel, N.P., board-certified adult geriatric nurse practitioner with Manhattan Cardiology. Below, cardiologists explain the study and its findings, and how they may apply to your daily movement and potential heart health risks. What is incidental physical activity? 'Incidental physical activity (IPA) is the general activity we do daily as part of our normal routine—at home, at work, or simply running errands,' explains Srihari S. Naidu, M.D., cardiologist and professor of medicine at New York Medical College. 'It is different than leisure exercise or working out.' Experts categorize IPA into three types: light, moderate, and vigorous. Dr. Naidu likens vigorous to hiking, moderate to walking, and light to anything less intense than walking. Other examples of IPA are the cleaning tasks that might make you break a sweat, like going up and down stairs with laundry or mowing the lawn, adds Craig Basman, M.D., cardiologist and associate director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical Center. 'Today, with all of our modern conveniences, the amount of IPA required each day has declined,' says Dr. Basman. 'Whereas in the past, many of these activities were built into the fabric of everyday life. In today's era, people often have to consciously choose to be active, which is why the concept of leisure-time exercise, such as going to the gym to work out, has become so prominent.' What did the study find? Researchers followed 24,139 middle-aged non-exercisers from 2013 to 2015 and tracked their daily activity using data from wrist-worn accelerometer devices. Eight years later, researchers compared the collected data to participants' health and analyzed their cardiovascular risks. They found that an average of 4.6 minutes of vigorous IPA a day or around 24 minutes of moderate IPA a day was associated with up to 38% and 50% lower risk of cardiovascular events (including deaths), respectively. Those numbers extrapolated down to approximately: One minute of vigorous or three to 3.5 minutes of moderate daily IPA could cut your risk of heart attack or stroke in half. What the findings may mean for you If you're not a gym goer or can't be tied to a specific exercise routine, but tend to stay active around the house and socially, you could be doing more than you realize for your heart health. According to the study's findings, the more IPA you engage in, theoretically, the lower your cardiovascular risks become, explains Lindsay Sarrel, N.P., board-certified adult geriatric nurse practitioner with Manhattan Cardiology. 'Intensity is what matters most,' adds Dr. Basman. 'The study found that it's not just about moving, but how you move…vigorous and moderate activities (the kind that get you a little out of breath) are what really count for protecting your heart.' These findings are especially important for the aging community, as we tend to lose mobility with age. 'IPA provides a practical solution to time constraints, physical limitations, cost and access to expensive gym memberships, and the intimidation of doing some exercise routines that may seem overwhelming,' Dr. Basman says. Still, these findings don't discount the importance of other heart-healthy lifestyle habits, he notes, such as eating a healthy diet, monitoring cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and avoiding smoking. Also, Sarrel says that, if you can, it's good to still aim for the standard recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week, but it can be encouraging to know there are other, more convenient ways to maintain your health and fit movement in, if needed. 'The benefits of either one are excellent and significant,' says Dr. Naidu. 'So go for a walk during lunch time, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog to catch the bus instead of walking, and maybe even stand up and do some jumping jacks between Zoom sessions—it is all worth doing and counts!' You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Child Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents to Never Turn a Blind Eye to These 10 Habits
Child Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents to Never Turn a Blind Eye to These 10 Habits originally appeared on Parade. Childhood and adolescence are times of learning and growing. However, child psychologists share that certain habits go beyond "kids being kids" and serve as red flags. While it sounds scary, experts explain that noticing these habits as potential warning signs allows parents and grandparents to operate from a place of empowerment and seek help for the child in their lives."The sooner you can detect behavioral issues such as aggression, irritability, hitting others [and] language delays, the sooner you can address [them]," explains , a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in work with children, teens and parents. "These emotional and behavioral concerns need to be addressed as soon as possible so they don't intensify throughout the years."She, along with other experts, shares 10 habits not to ignore in children and adolescents, as well as how to find help if you're Yes, every child is different. However, sometimes, the whole idea that "kids do XYZ when they are ready" can go too far. ., a division chief of psychology at Phoenix Children's, stresses that caregivers know their child best and encourages them to bring up concerns about consistent developmental delays, stagnation or regression in skills or abilities with a pediatrician. She says the CDC and are excellent resources for noting developmental milestones. Related: Today's kids have access to far more of the world than many parents and grandparents did at their age, thanks to the internet, and it can be trickier to navigate than riding a bike on a bumpy sidewalk."Children can unknowingly become prey to those who seek to take advantage of their naïveté and lack of experience," explains ., a psychologist and mental health director at Hackensack University Medical Center. "It is important that caregivers are able to monitor internet use."He stresses the importance of creating boundaries for kids, including surfing the web in a common area and using open communication."If you recognize a child you care for attempts to or insists on exploring the internet unsupervised and/or in private, it is time that you engage in greater exploration of the foundation for their desire," he says. "It is important to explain to children the reality that, while a great tool, the internet exposes us all to great vulnerabilities." Besides the internet, significant increases in screen time, more broadly, can also signal trouble. Dr. Allan shares it's linked to sleep problems, social-emotional issues and obesity."While screens are a part of modern life, a harm-reduction approach is important, especially for preschoolers," she says. "Limiting screen use during key times, such as meals, play and bedtime, is essential."Related: Psychologists say that appetite changes may signal issues beyond eating."If your child is experiencing drastic appetite changes, like overeating or not eating enough, it can indicate problems such as distress, anxiety or an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia," says , a psychologist with Thriveworks. Dr. Biller agrees, saying that children often don't understand how food habits can affect their eating. He recommends caregivers try to get to the root of the issue and seek help from a licensed mental health professional if they're concerned. Dr. Muradian says hitting, biting, throwing objects and long tantrums in which a child struggles to soothe are all emotional red flags. "These negative behaviors, if not addressed, can bleed into their elementary and middle school years," she explains. "It's crucial to redirect and gain a better understanding of the aggression through seeking support and guidance for your child." We all tell a lie now and then, but chronically not telling the truth is an issue, shares, a senior psychologist with the ADHD & Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. "A big tip for prevention of more serious lies? Helping the truth be less scary to tell," she says. "You want to set limits and have consequences for behaviors, but you want to let your child have an incentive for truth-telling."Dr. Litvinov advises parents to avoid interrogation if they already know the truth."Let them know you know and not argue about it," she suggests. "If the teacher says a child missed a class, don't ask if they missed it—just tell them the teacher told you they missed it, and you want to know why and what you will need to do to make it up. Give them a chance to do the right thing. Some kids need a moment to tell the truth, so you might need to give them that moment."Related: Dr. Litvinov says that parents are often surprised to hear kids using inappropriate language or even cursing with their parents or their friends—and not just the spoken word."An issue that we have been seeing more recently has been when parents look at the texts sent among teens," she explains. "There is much more Inappropriate language, including more ableist, racially insensitive and sexually charged comments. Talking to your children openly and in a non-shaming way will be very important."Also? "Parents will also want to model respectful language," she stresses. Sleep is vital for people of all ages, especially kids with developing minds."Sleep is essential for a healthy childhood, yet many kids occasionally struggle to fall or stay asleep," Dr. Allan says. "Consistent bedtimes and wake times, a sleep-friendly environment and avoiding screens in the bedroom can help minimize disruptions."Related: "Nail-biters" during close sports games are one thing. However, Dr. Biller says it's important to pay attention to kids who constantly bite their nails. "Children also lack the understanding of the physical harm that they can cause by biting their nails, even when doing so results in bleeding or pain," he explains. "As with many habits, nail biting typically has an emotional foundation. It is not uncommon that nail biting is a reflection of a behavioral response to anxiety." This one is heavy but vital to note."Many kids, especially teens, may question whether life is worth living—but most go on to lead healthy, meaningful lives," Dr. Allan says. "If you're concerned your child may be thinking about suicide, ask directly. Asking someone if they've had suicidal thoughts will not plant an idea in their head or lead them to harm themselves."Related: She suggests listening without judgment but also taking steps to ensure safety."Increase supervision during stressful times and ensure firearms and medications are securely stored," Dr. Allan says. "If the risk is immediate, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, seek therapy as quickly as possible."Related: Noticing habitual behavioral issues in kids is stressful. However, Dr. Muradian emphasizes it's important to stay calm and consistent."Kids learn from our behaviors," she says. "They look at us how we react to certain situations and will emulate it."Related: Books aren't just for schools. Dr. Muradian says books create conversations around behaviors. Three of her favorites are: Hands are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi Teeth are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Ana Llenas Noticing multiple problematic habits in kids is extra stressful. Dr. Vaughan emphasizes that you're not going to fix everything in one giant swing, though."Focus on one habit at a time to not overwhelm your child if there are multiple bad habits," she says. "Discuss clear expectations and consequences for continued unhealthy behaviors to help teach boundaries for acceptable behaviors. Also, motivate positive behaviors by utilizing positive reinforcements, such as praise/affirmations." There's no shame in seeking help."Some habits and situations require more professional help, such as a mental health provider," Dr. Vaughan says. "Providers specializing in working with children and teens can help the kids and parents work through these habits in talk therapy. Other types of therapy, such as art and play therapy, can be helpful tools for children who struggle to express themselves in traditional talk therapy." Up Next:Dr. Regine Muradian, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in work with children, teens and parents Dr. Carla C. Allan, Ph.D., a division chief of psychology at Phoenix Children's Developmental milestones. CDC. Milestones matter. Dr. Brett Biller, Ph.D., a psychologist and mental health director at Hackensack University Medical Center Media and young minds. AAP. Dr. Denitrea Vaughan, Psy.D., LPC-S, a psychologist with Thriveworks Dr. Lara Litvinov, Ph.D., a senior psychologist with the ADHD & Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Child Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents to Never Turn a Blind Eye to These 10 Habits first appeared on Parade on Jun 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man Tries to Save Snake Not Knowing It Was Venomous. He Spent 2 Nights in the Hospital After Getting Bitten
New York City writer Dan Geiger tried to save a snake he spotted while cycling in New Jersey Although he didn't know it at the time, the snake was venomous — and ended up biting him In images shared by Hackensack University Medical Center, where he had to stay for two nights to recover, the writer's finger was captured with a swollen black woundA man tried to help move a snake out of the road and got a nasty bite in the process. Dan Deiger was cycling in New Jersey's Palisades Cliffs on Wednesday, May 21, when he saw a small snake, according to a Hackensack Memorial Health press release. Not wanting the serpent to be injured by a bike, the writer — who lives in New York City — decided he was going to help move the creature away. However, unbeknownst to him, it was a venomous Copperhead. 'He first tried nudging the snake with his water bottle, hoping it would slither away,' the hospital wrote. 'When it didn't budge, Dan made a split-second decision he now regrets. He reached out with his hand. In a flash, the snake struck, sinking its fangs into his finger.' "Dan immediately knew something was wrong. Although he didn't know what type of snake it was, he assumed based on how much he was bleeding, it was venomous," the hospital continued. Fortunately, he was able to flag down two strangers to call 911. Geiger told local Fox affiliate WNYW that ultimately, his 'hand was just too close to its head." "It struck me with precision and speed," he added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While it's rare for someone to die from a Copperhead snake's venom, a limb can be seriously damaged as a result of the bite, according to Hackensack Memorial Health. 'It contains toxins that break down tissue, causing intense pain, swelling, blistering, and even tissue death (necrosis),' they explained. The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications. The longer the venom circulates, the more widespread the damage.' In pictures shared by Hackensack Memorial Health, the snake bite victim's index finger featured a swollen, black wound. According to the hospital, Geiger stayed there for two nights before being discharged — but he still 'won't be using his hand for another week or so until the residual swelling and bruising subsides." 'He still loves the Palisades and its wildlife, but he's learned a valuable lesson: admire from a distance," the hospital wrote. "He'll think twice before intervening again, no matter how good his intentions." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NYC man bit by venomous copperhead snake on NJ bike path
A New York man dodged death when he was bit by a venomous snake while bike riding in New Jersey. Dan Geiger was pedaling along the Palisades Cliffs recently when he saw a snake in the middle of the bike path. 'I notice a lot of squashed snakes because snakes go out to the pavement to sun themselves or to gather heat, and I guess they're a target for automobiles,' Geiger told Fox 5. To prevent the animal from getting run over, he stopped to get off his bike and move it with his water bottle. Then disaster struck. 'I nudged it, it didn't, it was very lethargic seeming, and I just sort of nudged again, and I was just like too close, you know, my hand was just too close to its head, I guess, and it just, it struck me with precision and speed,' Geiger told the outlet. Geiger was able to call 911 with the help of two passersby, but he was already feeling the effects of the copperhead's bite. He was taken Hackensack University Medical Center, which has a team that specializes in treating bites from venomous snakes. While copperhead venom isn't usually deadly, it can cause serious symptoms like internal bleeding, swelling and tissue death. Daria Falkowitz, director of the Division of Medical Toxicology at Hackensack University Medical Center, told the station antivenom isn't a miracle cure. 'It just stops things from getting worse and so whatever tissue damage has already occurred prior to receiving it is there,' she said. Photos of the aftermath show Geiger's swollen, discolored right index finger. However, Falkowitz said because the antivenom was administered so quickly, Geiger likely avoided permanent damage. Copperheads are one of the 22 types of snakes native to New Jersey.
