Northern Westchester Hospital

Northern Westchester Hospital Receives The Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award ™ 2019

June 4, 2019 by The Inside Press

Mt. Kisco, New York— Northern Westchester Hospital has received The Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ 2019, which recognizes hospitals for outstanding performance in delivering a positive experience for patients during their hospital stay. The annual award given by Healthgrades, a leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals, recognizes hospitals around the country that make patient safety a top priority and provide an outstanding patient experience.

“We are delighted to be recognized with this important award,” said Maria Hale, PsyD, MBA, Associate Executive Director at NWH. “As a teaching hospital and nationally recognized leader for patient-centered care, NWH is committed to creating innovative programs and services that are fundamentally attentive to the needs of our patients and their families.

Our patients’ health and well-being is our top priority, and we strive to provide our patients and their families with the best possible experience. We have a number of programs in place including the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center, the Aranow Art Cart, our Food is Care program, Pet Therapy and Integrative Medicine, which support the delivery of patient-centered care, which we believe is essential in ensuring the best outcomes for our patients and their families.”

In 2019, 434 hospitals received The Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™, representing the top 15 percent of hospitals in the nation for patient experience. As part of the analysis, Healthgrades evaluated 3,449 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), covering admissions from January 2017 through December 2017 to identify hospital performance in this area.

“Consumers are becoming more involved in their own health care, and are spending more time researching and selecting the right provider and hospital for their specific needs. Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ highlights the hospitals that are making patient experience a priority and will help patients feel confident to make more informed decisions about their health care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical officer, Healthgrades.

Healthgrades evaluated hospital performance by applying a scoring methodology to nine patient experience measures, using data collected from a 32-question patient experience survey of the hospital’s own patients. The survey questions focus on patients’ perspectives of their care in the hospital, ranging from cleanliness and noise levels in patient rooms to factors such as provider communication. The measures also include whether a patient would recommend the hospital to friends or family.

Healthgrades found that 81 percent of patients would recommend Northern Westchester Hospital, 11 percent higher than the national average. It also found that 79 percent of patients gave the hospital a rating of nine or 10, 10 percent higher than the national average.

This is the third year that Northern Westchester Hospital was awarded Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award ™. It also received Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award in 2019, 2018 and 2017.

For more information about Patient Centered Care and Innovation at NWH, visit https://nwhc.net/about-us/patient-centered-care.

About Northern Westchester Hospital

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook

About Northwell Health

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, about 750 outpatient facilities and more than 13,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 69,000 employees – 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu.

Top Five Things You Need to Know About the Measles

April 23, 2019 by Inside Press

Measles outbreaks in surrounding communities, including confirmed cases in Westchester County, have raised concerns for the community, as well as questions about how to protect yourself and those you love.

“Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases,” says Debra Spicehandler, MD, Co-Chief of Infectious Diseases at Northern Westchester Hospital. “My advice? If you’re not vaccinated, get vaccinated immediately. And, avoid high-risk areas, if possible, especially if you have an unvaccinated baby.”

According to the National Center for Health Research, one person with measles can infect 12 to 18 others, in an unvaccinated population, before they even know they’re sick. Why? It’s airborne. Also, the virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where an infected person has coughed or sneezed. So, if you’re not vaccinated and breathe contaminated air or touch an infected door, you’re at risk. This is why it’s so important to get vaccinated – wearing a mask will not prevent you from getting sick. Anyone who has not been vaccinated can get the vaccine free through the Westchester County Department of Health. Call 914-995-5800 for an appointment.

Here are Dr. Spicehandler’s tips on the top five things you need to know about measles:

• You may not even know you’re sick:
Here are symptoms to watch out for: The measles virus incubates for the first two weeks after infection, which means you won’t have any signs or symptoms. Even when you begin to have symptoms, you may mistake them for a common cold. A cough, runny nose, sore throat, or conjunctivitis is common during the first stage. When the virus progresses, usually three days after symptoms begin, you may notice a diffused itchy rash that starts on the face and progresses downward toward the hands and feet. Fever is also common during this stage. Accompanying the rash and fever, people often notice bluish-white spots in the mouth. You are contagious four days before the rash starts and up to four days after the rash appears.

• Call your doctor:
If you believe you or a loved one was exposed, or if you have symptoms, call your doctor, but do NOT go into a healthcare facility unannounced. Your doctor’s office, or community hospital, likely has plans in place to treat measles, but there are protocols in place to ensure others don’t get sick. Please call ahead before entering one of these facilities.

• If you were exposed, you have three days to get vaccinated:
After this time period, a vaccine is not effective. Typically, you should avoid all contact with others for 21 days, as it’s still possible for symptoms to develop during this time. Speak to your doctor or local health department to discuss when it is safe to go back to work, school or other public places.

• Revaccination is “a thing” but you probably don’t need it:
If you received two doses of the MMR vaccine or if you were born before 1957, you should be fully protected against the measles. However, it’s not harmful to receive additional doses if you’re unsure of your status. If you’re concerned, ask your doctor for a blood test to check your immunity levels.

• If you’re not vaccinated you’re putting others at risk for serious complications:
For those who are pregnant, immunocompromised, or babies under six months old, the measles can be devastating. The MMR vaccine is a live (weakened) virus vaccine, so these individuals cannot receive it. However, you have other options. Protect yourself (and baby) by making sure everyone who enters your home is vaccinated, get your titers checked (they identify the amount of antibodies in a person’s blood), practice good hand hygiene, and avoid high-risk areas. If you fall into one of these categories and have been exposed to the measles, you may benefit from a temporary vaccine called immunoglobulin. It’s best to speak to your healthcare provider to explore your options.

Info here via a release courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

About Northern Westchester Hospital
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook

Preventing & Recognizing Concussions: Keeping Your Young Athlete Safe

March 8, 2019 by Stacey Pfeffer

(L-R): Lisa Rusch, PT, DPT, GCS, Chari Hirshson, PhD and Sarah Todd, PT, DPT, CLT
PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON, DOUBLEVSION PHOTOGRAPHERS

With the 53rd Super Bowl behind us and a spike in media coverage on NFL players and concussions, the 2017 season saw the highest rate of diagnosed concussions (291) in NFL players in a six-year period, according to the NFL and Quintiles, an independent third-party company. Although 2018 figures showed a 29 percent decrease in the number of concussions, it still remains a serious health problem for players.

Although NFL players may be at a higher risk for sustaining a concussion, which medical researchers refer to as a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), they are not the only athletes experiencing concussions. Many high school athletes and younger ones are also suffering from concussions in our towns and the problem seems to be county-wide. In fact, in 2016 the former County Executive Rob Astorino formed the Westchester County Concussion Task Force to address the problem.

In observance of Brain Injury Awareness Month in March coinciding with the spring sports season kicking into high gear, Inside Press spoke with leading medical practitioners at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) to separate fact from fiction when it comes to concussion prevention, treatment and management.

Changing Perceptions About Concussions

When many people think of concussions, they think of an athlete on a football field who perhaps has lost consciousness. While losing consciousness can certainly be a symptom of concussion, there are a host of other concussion symptoms and they don’t necessarily present themselves at the time of injury. Concussions are a type of brain injury that results from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move back and forth. This back and forth movement can cause the brain to bounce around in the skull which can result in stretching or damaging brain cells. Many health professionals classify concussion as a mild TBI (traumatic brain injury) because the injury is usually not life-threatening and in most cases, symptoms resolve on their own. However, some patients have lingering symptoms that require treatment from a specialist trained in concussion management.

Ryan Esposito sustained a concussion falling off his scooter without a helmet

Chari Hirshson, PhD is a neuropsychologist with NWH who specializes in brain injury and treats both adults and children (ages 8 and up) who have sustained a concussion. According to Dr. Hirshson, who sees her patients at the hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at Chappaqua Crossing, “concussion symptoms vary from patient to patient,” she explains. “It is important to take a multi-disciplinary approach with patients that have lingering symptoms because their symptoms can be multifaceted, encompassing physical, emotional and cognitive realms,” adds Lisa Rusch, PT, DPT, GCS, a Supervisor in the Concussion Rehab Program at NWH.

Acknowledging that concussions can be diagnosed by urgent care specialists, pediatricians or in the ER, an MRI or CT scan rarely shows signs of concussion. “Most of the time, these tests come back normal. It is not like with an X-ray that shows a broken bone. This can make it difficult to gauge the severity of the injury,” says Dr. Hirshson.

Varying Symptoms

Patients with a concussion can experience observable signs such as:

Appearing dazed and confused
Forgetting instructions
Moving clumsily
Answering questions slowly
Losing consciousness (even briefly)
Showing mood, behavior or personality changes

Ryan recovering from his concussion. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAINE ESPOSITO

Patients with a concussion may also report these symptoms:

Headache or “pressure” in the head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness/blurred vision
Bothered by light or noise
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
Confusion, concentration or memory problems
“Feeling down,” irritable or anxious
Changes in sleep patterns

Some patients do not exhibit any symptoms until a few hours or even a few days after the injury. That was the case with Ryan Esposito, an Armonk child who decided to take his scooter down the porch and ride it without a helmet and unsupervised when he was five years old. He fell down the stairs by his driveway and while his head was bruised and bloody, he did not exhibit any concussion symptoms that afternoon upon examination by a pediatrician. “The doctor did not want to give him an MRI because he was so young but told us to take him to the ER if he starts vomiting,” recalls his mother Faine Esposito. Sure enough, at midnight Ryan started vomiting and was taken to NWH and diagnosed with a concussion.

Falls: A Leading Cause of Concussion

Despite many people believing that contact sports are a leading cause of concussion in children, more than 55 percent, in children up to 14 years old, are actually due to falls like Ryan’s. Hirshson adds, many of her adult patients sustain their concussion as a result of falls which could have been easily prevented. “I’ve seen falls resulting in concussion from women wearing jeans that are too long, or men who are carrying messenger bags with a strap that is too long and they trip. These injuries are not related to football, or skiing. These are things that can happen in everyday life,” she says.

Nevertheless, sports-related concussions due to being struck by an object or person is the second-leading cause of concussion in youth, accounting for 24 percent of cases in children up to 14 years old. In addition, 71 percent of sports and recreation-related TBI emergency department visits are among patients 10-19 years old. According to 2017 statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15 percent of high school students have had one or more concussions and 6 percent experienced two or more as a result of either playing a sport or being physically active. The rates were higher among males and the more sports a child played the higher the prevalence of concussion. Even more troubling was the fact that 40 percent of high school athletes reported that their coach was unaware of their symptoms. The researchers also found that some high school athletes tried to hide their symptoms from their coaches so that they would not get reduced playing time.

“I’ve seen falls resulting in concussion from women wearing jeans that are too long, or men who are carrying messenger bags with a strap that is too long and they trip. These are things that can happen in everyday life,” Hirshson says. PHOTO BY RAWPIXEL ON UNSPLASH

Gender Disparities in High School Athletes and Concussion Prevalence

There also appears to be a gender disparity in terms of the prevalence of concussion when high school athletes of both genders are playing the same sport. Females are more likely to suffer from concussion when playing soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Some of the reasons may be due to proper safety equipment. Boys are required to wear helmets in lacrosse while girls are not. Lauren Dinhofer, a senior who plays varsity lacrosse at Horace Greeley High School feels that helmets for her teammates should not be mandatory. “The use of helmets for me gives off the idea that girls are more protected, so you can be more aggressive on the field. However, helmets for girls don’t really have adequate materials for protection. Unlike boy helmets, girl helmets are soft and won’t make a difference against a check to the head. They invite more contact instead of offering protection.” But Melissa Mykytiuk, an Armonk mother of three boys who played lacrosse and ice hockey fervently disagrees. “Why don’t girls who play lacrosse wear helmets? Those sticks and balls are hard. It’s crazy to me.”

The Road to Recovery: Part 1: Return to School

Many of the patients who visit Dr. Hirshson or Rusch have been referred by a physician or a pediatrician. With a comprehensive approach tailored so that each patient can return to school and/or play, the team in the Concussion Management Program at NWH offers physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and neuropsychology. A coordinated team with their colleague Sarah Todd, PT, DPT, CLT who is the manager of Outpatient Rehabilitation Program at the hospital’s Chappaqua Crossing site, demonstrates why specific training in concussion management and a multi-disciplinary approach to care is critical to successful treatment. They often find a patient will seek treatment for one symptom, for example balance disturbance, and upon evaluation and assessment, additional effects of the concussion, such as memory issues, are uncovered and able to be treated.

Dr. Hirshson specializes in neuropsychology. The neuropsychological tests she performs can last from 4-8 hours and are designed to assess a patient’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. “Typically, we don’t do neuropsychological testing until three months post-injury if cognitive symptoms have lingered,” explains Dr. Hirshson. If necessary, Dr. Hirshson will help young students manage their symptoms post-concussion before that 3-month period and help them transition back to school. The rigorous demands of high school, college applications and entrance exams can be very taxing on a student with lingering concussion symptoms. In certain cases and upon Dr. Hirshson’s clinical observations, some students may require support from the school, and she will work with the district to advocate for this, if necessary.

It is really important for a student suffering from concussion to get what medical professionals call adequate “cognitive rest” because this helps the brain recover. For example, if a student has an important test coming up, studying for it uses a lot of brain power and instead of using that energy for the brain to recover, it gets depleted which can ultimately delay recovery. Dr. Hirshson assesses each student and makes recommendations for returning to school on an individual basis “Take your cues from your kids,” advises Mytkiuk. Each of her three sons had a different recovery time from their concussion. “It’s frustrating because you don’t have control over when your kid’s brain gets better.”

Dr. Hirshson always tells her patients, “Don’t do something that doesn’t feel good. Don’t look at a screen if it hurts your head. Slowly build up tolerance. If you got a concussion over the weekend skiing, then don’t play soccer on Tuesday. Allow yourself the proper time to recover.”

Road to Recovery: Part 2: Return to Play

While the priority for all students recovering from concussion is to get them to return to school, for high school athletes returning to the field is often a main goal of recovery. With more than 4,000 New York based students under 19 treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries, following a return to play protocol is very important. In 2013, all states were mandated to pass laws to address concussion management in school athletics.

NY state school nurses, certified athletic trainers, coaches, and physical education teachers are mandated to complete sports concussion management training every two years. In addition, in both the Byram Hills School District and the Chappaqua Central School District, high school athletes undergo IMPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment & Cognitive Testing) pre-season for a baseline assessment and upon returning to the field. Not all New York State school districts conduct IMPACT testing. Before a student returns to play, they must have medical clearance from a physician permitting it.

While Dr. Hirshson helps students return to the classroom, Rusch and Todd help students return to athletic endeavors. They help students suffering from symptoms such as neck pain, vestibular (inner ear) dizziness or disorientation and provide therapy to help them strengthen their eyes or restore equilibrium in addition to several other modalities. Todd often works on improving the vestibular system which can affect balance. “We retrain and recalibrate the vestibular system with dynamic exercises such as hopping on one foot on a foam board,” explains Todd. “We are part of that return to play conversation with the athletic trainers. We ensure that the athlete takes on exercises with increasing intensity in a controlled setting and then we make recommendations regarding return to play,” notes Rusch. “Interestingly, the research is indicating that patients who sustain a concussion are three times more likely to sustain a lower extremity injury of the knee or lower leg,” adds Todd.

“Each specific discipline that is part of the Concussion Management Program uses measurement tools to identify symptoms, measure their severity and develop a plan to progress so that patients return back to school and/or the field,” sums up Todd. “Because each concussion and its symptoms are unique, see a medical professional with credentials in concussion management who understands all the nuances,” advises Dr. Hirshson.

Ryan like most concussion patients had his symptoms resolve quickly and is now a happy six-year old back to playing on scooters and riding bikes. “But he remembers the injury and tells all his friends to be careful and of course wear a helmet,” his mother adds.

Helpful Helmet Tips

While there is no such thing as a “concussion-proof helmet,” the CDC notes that a proper fitting helmet can protect from a serious brain injury. Todd, who herself is a triathlete says that “helmet manufacturers are studying the dynamics of concussion and improving their designs based on the research.” As the biking season gears up, the CDC recommends the following tips when purchasing a helmet. The CDC also offers sports-specific guidelines for helmets available on www.cdc.gov/headsup.

Start with the Right Size

Bring the bike rider with you to assess fit.
Measure the child’s head size.
Sizes vary from brand to brand, so look at the helmet’s fit and sizing chart.

Get a Good Fit

The helmet should fit snugly all around with no spaces between the foam and bike rider’s head.
Ask your child how the helmet feels. A too tight helmet can cause headaches.
Have your child wear the hairstyle they will be wearing to ride the bike. If a long-haired child cuts their hair short, adjust the helmet accordingly.
The helmet should not rest too high or too low on the rider’s head.
Make sure your child can see straight forward and side to side.
The side straps should make a “V” shape under and slightly in front of the bike rider’s ears.
Chin straps should be centered under the bike rider’s chin and fit snugly so that no more than one or two fingers fit between the chin and strap.

Take Care of the Helmet

Check for damage. Do not use a cracked or broken helmet or one that is missing parts.
Clean it only with warm water and mild detergent.
Keep the helmet away from direct sunlight and do not store in a car.
Do not decorate with stickers or paint as this could affect the helmets safety.

Look for Labels

- Have the date of the manufacture in case of a recall.
- Purchase a helmet that is US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certified.

Replace the helmet if it is damaged and has been involved in a crash!

Source: CDC Heads Up campaign

Three, Elaborately Costumed Magi Distribute Gifts to Children at Three Kings Day Celebration

January 15, 2019 by The Inside Press

Save the Date for Northern Westchester Hospital 2018 Gala: November 3 Honorees Noted Here!

June 8, 2018 by The Inside Press

Ellen and Kamran Hakim were Named Community Honorees and Dr. Adina Keller and Dr. Jeffrey Keller Named Physician Honorees

Mt. Kisco, New York— Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) will honor philanthropists Ellen and Kamran Hakim, and physicians Drs. Adina and Jeffrey Keller at the hospital’s annual gala on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 333 North Bedford Road at 6:30 p.m. The event is co-chaired by Jennifer and Jon Klein, and Luba and Steve Seidman. The announcement was made by Keeva Young-Wright, President of the NWH Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs at NWH.

“We are delighted to honor the Hakims for their long-term, generous support of Northern Westchester Hospital and the Kellers for their clinical excellence and leadership roles at NWH,” she said.

“These couples exemplify the community support, commitment and dedication that enables NWH to provide high quality, patient-centered care to all members of our community.”

Mr. Hakim, a New York-based real estate investor and one of the city’s largest private landlords, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1956 at the age of 14. Mrs. Hakim, born Ellen Manocherian, is in partnership with her sister Joan Cohen in the family’s real estate business.

Longtime supporters of NWH, the Hakims hosted two fundraising galas for the hospital at their Old Salem Farm. Their grandson Andrew was born at NWH, and Mr. Hakim, who has been a patient at NWH credits the hospital for saving his life. The couple are married for 53 years and have lived in Westchester for just as long. They have four children, 12 grandchildren, and reside in Chappaqua.

Adina Keller, MD, FACOG, is a community-based physician who has dedicated her professional life to women’s health and cancer prevention. As a board certified OB/GYN with CareMount Medical Group and associate chief of OB/GYN at NWH, Dr. Keller is a champion of cancer prevention. In addition to her practice, which includes minimally invasive robotic surgery, Dr. Keller has made it a mission to educate the community about health, wellness and cancer prevention.

She is on the Board of Trustees at NWH, and is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (AGOG) Cervical Cancer Prevention Task Force and served as section chair of its Hudson Valley District. She also served as Medical Director of the American Cancer Society, Westchester Branch, and was on its Board of Advisors from 2007-2015. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including The American Cancer Society Leadership and Humanitarian award, US News and World Report Top Doctor; New York Magazine’s Best Doctor Award (2017); and has received Top Doctor awards from Castle Connolly (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018) and Westchester Magazine (2013, 2015 and 2017).

Jeffrey Keller, MD, FACS, FAAP, is board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and a Pediatric Otolaryngologist who has devoted his career to taking care of children. Dr. Keller began working at Northern Westchester Hospital in 2005 and is currently the Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology for the Mount Sinai Health System at CareMount Medical. Dr. Keller practices at CareMount Medical’s Mount Kisco and Carmel offices, and has privileges at Northern Westchester Hospital, the Ambulatory Surgery Center of Westchester and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Keller has authored numerous chapters on Pediatric Otolaryngology, and has received many awards. He is the recipient of New York Magazine’s Best Doctor Award (2006-2008 & 2014-2016); Best Doctors in America (2013 and 2015); and top doctor awards from Castle Connolly (2013-2018), Westchester Magazine (2013-2017), Hudson Valley Magazine (2017), and Hudson Valley Parent Favorite Docs (2016 and 2017).

Dr. Adina Keller and Dr. Jeffrey Keller live in Chappaqua with their two teenage sons.

The NWH Gala begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., a program and dinner at 8 p.m., and dancing at 9:30 p.m. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.nwhconnect.org/2018gala.

This news: courtesy of Northwell and Northern Westchester Hospital