June 2018 - Health BeatHealth Beat

Jamaica Hospital Receives Patient Safety Award and Ranks in Top 10% in Nation for Patient Safety

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

If you are sick and need to go to the hospital, it is important to know that if admitted, your hospital is dedicated to safety, and has a proven track record of preventing further illness and injury to its patients.

Healthgrades, a trusted provider of information to millions of health care consumers across the United States, recently recognized the best-performing hospitals in the country and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center received the Patient Safety Excellence Award, an accolade that recognizes hospitals that lead in the prevention of patient safety events.

This prestigious honor highlights the hospital’s performance in safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during their hospital stay. Jamaica Hospital, part of the MediSys Health Network ranked in the top 10% in the nation for patient safety.

To determine which hospitals receive the Patient Safety Excellence Award, Healthgrades reviews the results of 14 key patient safety indicators submitted by hospitals to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Some of the safety measures surveyed include pressure ulcers, catheter-related bloodstream infections, and postoperative sepsis rates.

Jamaica is one of two hospitals in Queens and one of only four in New York City to receive this honor. The hospital attributes their vastly improved safety rates to robust quality improvement policies and programs that were initiated over a decade ago and that are still being followed and improved upon every day.

According to MediSys Health Network President, Bruce J. Flanz, “Patient Safety is one of the top priorities at Jamaica Hospital. We are proud to be in a position to provide our patients with a safe and trusted environment to receive high-quality care. I would like to thank the many members of our staff who are committed to this effort.”

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Q&A: A lot of patients ask, what is a sexually transmitted infection? How do I protect myself?

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

A sexually transmitted infection is an infection that is passed from one person to another when they have vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who is infected. Some infections can also be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. They are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The most common sexually transmitted infections are Chlamydia and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). According to the CDC, there is an increase in cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the United States. STIs are preventable. The first step in protecting your health is knowing if you are at risk for an STI and getting tested.

A lot of patients ask “Should I be tested for a sexually transmitted infection?” The answer is that it depends on your sexual history and your risk factors for having an STI. You are at risk of having a sexually transmitted infection if:

You are between 15- 24 years old
Have more than one sexual partner
Have oral, vaginal, or anal sex without using a condom
You or your partner has had an STI in the past
You or your partner inject drugs
You or your partner exchange sex for money or drugs
You suspect that your partner may be having sex with other people

If any of the above applies to you, get tested right away. You should also get tested if you notice abnormal bleeding especially after having sex, an increase in the amount of discharge, a change in the color or smell of your discharge or pelvic pain.

Be open and honest with your doctor or healthcare provider. By giving us as much information as you can, we can suggest the proper tests and treatments. Most STIs are curable or manageable.

It important to get treatment because having an STI can increase your chances of giving or getting HIV, can cause pelvic infections that lead to pelvic and abdominal pain, and can cause irreversible scarring that makes it difficult to get pregnant. Sexually transmitted infections can also be transmitted to your baby while you are still pregnant. The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.

“What can I do to protect myself?”

Abstinence or not having sex is the only way to not get an STI. If you decide to have sex with a new partner, it is important that you both get tested before anything happens- including oral sex. Condoms used from start to finish help decrease the chance of getting some STIs. If you or your partner are having sex with other people, it is recommended you use a condom every single time for oral, vaginal and anal sex. It is only safe to stop using condoms if you and your partner have both been tested and are STI-free AND if you are only having sex with each other. Deciding to have sex with someone comes with responsibilities- Protect yourself! Be honest with your partner. You should be comfortable enough to talk about ways to prevent getting an STI or becoming pregnant. Talk to your doctor about vaccinations against HPV and Hepatitis B. For further information, call us at 718- 291- 3276 to schedule an appointment or visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information on their website: https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm

Today is National HIV Testing Day

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Joann Ariola

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. There are 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States, and one in seven are unaware they have the virus.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, along with other health organizations is working together to raise awareness about the importance of getting tested and early HIV diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends “that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.”

We are encouraging people to know their status. There are now more ways than ever to get tested.

Jamaica Hospital’s clinics offer HIV testing to the community. For a list of our clinics and contact information, please visit

If a patient tests positive we also provide HIV counseling and treatment. We offer integrated clinical care, social and educational services in a comfortable and caring environment.

To receive more information about National HIV Testing Day and to learn more about the virus, please visit,

Healthy eating for people with diabetes

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Wesley Cheng DO

For people with diabetes, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial. Although eating well-balanced meals is strongly encouraged, it is important to pay close attention to the carbohydrate portion of foods consumed as they become glucose when digested.

Glucose is a sugar needed to help our cells and organs function properly. In healthy individuals, the level of glucose within the blood is controlled so that it does not become too high or too low. However, in people with diabetes, the body is unable to keep the glucose levels within the normal range. Frequent high levels of glucose within the blood is responsible for the complications that go along with diabetes including an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, nerve damage, kidney damage, and many other problems.

To avoid the development of these complications and to help maintain normal glucose levels, people with diabetes should include foods that have low glycemic levels such as whole wheat bread, barley, carrots or lentils in their diets. Food such as white rice, white bread, pretzels or potatoes rank highly on the glycemic index and should be kept to a minimum or eliminated.

The glycemic index is a scale from 0-100 that gives us an idea of blood sugar response from a particular food. In general, foods that rank 55 or less are considered to have low glycemic levels and foods that rank 70 or more are high. Anything in between these numbers is moderate.

While having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to follow a specific diet, it does mean you should remain mindful of what you eat. Here are some recommended tips you can follow to help you along the way:

– Try to avoid or cut down on sweet drinks. Sugary drinks such as juice, soda, and energy drinks are very high in sugar and easily absorbed by the body so they will cause your blood sugar to go high quickly.

– Protein and fat in foods can lower the glycemic index (making it better for your blood sugar), but be careful you’re not eating too much because they are also rich in calories and can cause weight gain.

-Foods with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats such as lean meat, avocados, fish, and whole grain wheat are much better for you than food that contains saturated or transfats such as doughnuts, fried foods, and salami.

To schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor about managing your diabetes, please call the Jamaica Hospital Department of Family Medicine at 718-206-6942.

Wesley Cheng D.O. Family Medicine

Jamaica Hospital’s First Farmers’ Market

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

As part of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s (JHMC) effort to provide out community with healthy nutrition and wellness alternatives, we are proud to announce our first Farmers’ Market! JHMC has partnered with the LI Greenmarket and the Cornell University Cooperative Extension to bring fresh produce and wellness programs for everyone to enjoy!

The Farmers’ Market will be open every Wednesday, 10:00AM – 4:00PM, from June 27, 2018 through November 21, 2018. The Market will be located at 134-20 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11418.

Remember, fresh is best!

EGGPLANT TOMATO SALAD

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Served as the main dish or a tasty side, this nutritious and delicious Eggplant Tomato Salad will astonish the most finicky palate.

Here’s all you need to get started!

Ingredients:

1 green bell pepper
1 large red bell pepper
7 tomatoes
1 eggplant
4 cloves crushed garlic
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

Roast peppers on stove burners or under oven broiler until skin turns evenly black. Immediately place in a plastic bag and let cool.
Prepare the tomatoes by cutting an X on the bottom of each and boil in water for 1 minute, plunge into a cold water bath and let cool.
Cut the eggplant into small strips and sauté in oil until eggplant begins to brown. About 6 to 8 minutes. Once the eggplant is soft, add garlic.
Rinse the peppers under cold water and remove the burnt skin (just the ash). Open the peppers and remove seeds. Cut into small strips and add to eggplant. Peel cooled tomatoes, chop and add to eggplant mixture. Add tomato paste, salt pepper and cayenne. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

This is a great recipe for an “on the go” lifestyle because it requires short prep and cooking times. In an hour and 20 min, you will have your meal on the table.

The Farmers’ Market will be open every Wednesday, 10:00AM – 4:00PM, from June 27, 2018 through November 21, 2018. The Market will be located at 134-20 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11418.

Remember, fresh is best!

For this and more healthy vegetable recipes visit –

Employee Spotlight – Victoria Lampado, LMSW

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our employee spotlight on Victoria Lampado, LMSW. Victoria is a member of our Social Work Department who has been working at Jamaica Hospital for over three years. She is a native New Yorker, having grown up in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn and now residing in Kew Gardens, Queens. Victoria is a graduate of Bishop Ford High School, Brooklyn College and Columbia University where she obtained her Masters in Social Work.
Victoria was influenced by her Italian and Russian heritage which gave her a deep appreciation of the fine arts, Broadway theater and music. She grew up listening to Italian operas, and popular singers like Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Judy Garland thanks to the influence of her father who shared his love of everything Italian with his family. In her free time, Victoria enjoys cooking, especially Italian food, crocheting, and spending time with her family and friends. She is very proud of her late father who was a World War II veteran who instilled in her a sense of compassion and caring for those who are less fortunate. She also has a rescue dog, a Shitzu named Goldie, who she has given a good home to.
Before coming to Jamaica Hospital Victoria worked as a social worker in a wide range of professional settings. There are several reasons why she gives for enjoying working at Jamaica Hospital more than anyplace she has worked previously. She enjoys the international diversity of both the patients we treat, and the people who work here. Victoria feels that though there are challenges with the population we work with, the entire team comes together to meet them and find ways to accomplish their goals. Every patient is treated with respect and dignity and the number one goal is to always do the right thing for the patient. “Jamaica Hospital has great energy and great people who care about our patients” she states. She also pointed out that prior to coming to work at Jamaica Hospital, she herself had been a patient at the hospital on two occasions and she was very impressed with the excellent level of care she received.
Victoria hopes that the work she is doing will have a positive impact on people’s lives and we think she is already well on her way to accomplishing that goal.

Pool Safety

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

The weather is warming up and people will be looking for ways to keep cool. One way that has always been popular during the warm summer months is swimming in a pool. Every year there are countless accidents and also fatalities at or near swimming pools. Many of which could have been avoided had precautions been taken.
Safety Tips to follow:
• Never leave children unattended near a pool
• Only swim when there is a lifeguard present
• Every pool should have proper drain covers
• Pools should have alarms and proper fencing
• Keep the pool clean
• There should be no diving allowed in pools that are shallow
• Never swim alone
• There should be no horseplay in or near a pool
• Do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Do not swim in a thunderstorm
• It is a good idea to give children swimming lessons before the start of the summer
• Children who don’t know how to swim should be given flotation devices to wear
There are many organizations around the country that offer swimming lessons for children and adults of all ages. If you don’t know how to swim, look into getting some lessons before heading out to the pool. You will have a good time and you will also be a lot safer this summer.

When Should You Go to The ER For High Blood Pressure?

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

Complications caused by hypertension (high blood pressure), is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. Elevated blood pressure levels can cause substantial damage to our bodies and lead to conditions that can become life-threatening.

Knowing when to seek immediate emergency care can help you avoid delays in getting medical attention, and decrease your risk of developing severe complications caused by extremely high blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, when blood pressure levels increase severely and reach measurements of 180/110 or greater, you should seek immediate medical attention.

There are other warning signs coupled with high blood pressure that indicate you are having a hypertensive crisis and require emergency care. Signs and symptoms may include:

Severe chest pain
Nausea and vomiting
Severe headaches accompanied by blurred vision and confusion
Seizures
Unresponsiveness
Shortness of breath
Severe anxiety

The cause of a severe spike in your blood pressure and these symptoms could be the result of missing your blood pressure medications, a stroke, a heart attack, kidney failure or an artery rupture.

A hypertensive crisis can lead to complications or damages to your body such as fluid in the lungs, memory loss, vision damage, and damage to vital organs. This is why it is important that you go to your nearest hospital emergency room and receive the treatment needed to lower your blood pressure. Damage to your organs will be assessed and your doctors will immediately address complications.

The Facts About Male Infertility

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Michael Hinck

Infertility is a diagnosis given to couples who have been unsuccessful at conceiving after a year of trying. Infertility affects approximately 15% of all couples and within this group male infertility issues contribute to 30% of all cases.

During Men’s Health Month, Jamaica Hospital wants to provide information about male infertility and offer treatment options for those trying to conceive.

The most common cause of male infertility is a varicocele, which is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum that holds the testicles. Varicoceles are a common cause of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality.

Other causes include:

Age
A blockage in your reproductive system
Undescended testicles
Sperm that are abnormally shaped or that don’t move correctly
Hormone problems
Certain health conditions, such as cancer
An infection or sexually transmitted disease (STD)
Erectile dysfunction.

Sometimes the cause of male infertility is unknown. In these cases, it may be the result of genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors.

A doctor can help find the cause of infertility. Your doctor will do an exam and review your medical history. A semen analysis will determine sperm count and quality. Another test your doctor may perform is a check of your hormone levels.

While you cannot always prevent male infertility, there are factors that can affect this condition that should be avoided. These include:

smoking
alcohol or drug abuse
emotional stress
obesity
Frequent hot tub use or wearing tight fitting underwear.

More than half of male infertility cases can be corrected. Treatment options depend on the root cause. Medicine can improve hormone levels or erectile dysfunction. Surgery can help correct physical problems, such as a varicocele. It also can repair blockages or other damage. Surgery is often minor and done as an outpatient procedure.

In cases where infertility cannot be cured, your doctor may suggest a form of assisted reproductive therapy, such as:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI). A man’s sperm is collected and inserted into the woman’s uterus. This procedure is done at the time of ovulation.
In vitro fertilization (IVF). This technique is more complex. A man’s sperm and a woman’s egg are fertilized in the lab. Then it is implanted back in the woman’s uterus.