Employee Spotlight Denise Amalfitano

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Denise has been with Jamaica Hospital for almost 20 years. She started her career at the hospital as a public affairs representative where she organized community events that promoted health and wellness. These activities took her to local schools, houses of worship and to senior centers where she enjoyed educating people on the benefits of being well informed about their health.

Always looking for ways to increase her knowledge and skills, fifteen years ago Denise was offered the opportunity to work in Emergency Room Registration where she quickly learned all of the facets of her new position. She worked her way up to become supervisor of that department and then on to her current role as the director. With over 130,000 emergency room registrations every year, it is certainly a challenging position but Denise absolutely loves what she does. She also acts as an Administrator on Duty which is a position with great responsibility at the hospital and also serves as a certified medical interpreter.

Denise grew up in Richmond Hill, New York and graduated from Richmond Hill High School. She is a firm believer in being the best that you can be and in early 2018 she will be completing a dual Master’s program earning both an MBA and an MHA degree. Denise encourages the members of her staff to also look for ways to better themselves, especially through education. She is always proud of all the people who started in her department who have gone on to earn degrees, and take on positions with more responsibility.

She is married to her wonderful husband of 17 years and they live in Howard Beach. Together they enjoy traveling to new places, but most of all they enjoy all that New York has to offer. Denise is an only child and family is extremely important to her. Denise believes in giving back to the community. She taught religious instruction for two years at Our Lady of Grace, a large congregation in Howard Beach.

Denise is very proud to tell people that she works at Jamaica Hospital. She feels that patients receive extremely good care and she tells everyone that she meets how wonderful the hospital is. We are very happy to spotlight Denise this month.

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.

September is Pain Awareness Month

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Pain Awareness Month was established in 2001 to bring about national recognition to issues related to pain and pain management. It is estimated that approximately 100 million people experience chronic pain. There are many explanations for why a person is experiencing pain and also varying levels of severity. Pain is a warning sign that there is a problem within the body that needs to be addressed. It is well known that pain can be very uncomfortable and can alter a person’s ability to perform normal daily functions.
The most common areas affected are:
• Head and neck pain
• Joints
• Lower back pain
• Sciatic nerve
• Pelvis
• Post-surgical pain
Some causes of these conditions can be caused by arthritic conditions, chemical imbalances, diabetes, poor circulation, entrapped nerves, trauma and cancer.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pain specialist at Jamaica Hospital to discuss your condition, please call 718-206-PAIN (7246).

The Effects of Smoking on the Skin

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health. The skin is one area that smoking has a very noticeable effect and can be seen very easily.
There are thousands of chemicals in tobacco smoke. Some of these can affect the skin’s elasticity which will lead to wrinkles and skin that looks baggy. Smoke also affects oxygenation of the blood which can lead to a change in skin tone and pallor.
Some other effects smoking can have on skin include:
• Psoriasis
• Hair thinning
• Yellow fingers
• Slower wound healing
• Cancerous skin lesions
Quitting smoking can reverse some of the negative effects. This is due to better oxygenation of the blood and also removal of the toxic chemicals from the body.
If you smoke and would like to quit, you can speak to your doctor and see what method would be best for you. Jamaica Hospital provides extensive assistance for people willing to quit smoking. We offer a free smoking support group every Wednesday, and there is also the availability of one on one sessions, both in person or by phone. More information is available at 718-206-8494.

What is Bell’s Palsy ?

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes the muscles on one side of the face to become very weak or even paralyzed. When this happens, the face droops on one side. The cause of this is usually damage to the seventh cranial nerve, known as the “facial nerve” . It is more common in people who have diabetes, are pregnant or who have recently had a viral infection, but it can happen to anyone. Bell’s palsy is usually only temporary with the symptoms disappearing within a few weeks to a few months.
Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy:
• Unable to blink on one side
• Facial droop
• Drooling
• Problem with chewing
• Loss of sense of taste
• Unable to close one eye
• Possible pain behind the ear or in the jaw
Diagnosing Bell’s palsy usually involves taking a detailed medical history as well as ruling out other causes of nerve damage to the face. These symptoms can also be caused by a stroke, Lyme disease and a stroke. A physician may order a few tests to help with the diagnosis. This might include an MRI, a CT scan and an Electromyography (EMG).
Bell’s palsy often will start to resolve on its own after a few weeks. To relieve some of the symptoms, which can be very uncomfortable, a physician might prescribe corticosteroids which have an anti-inflammatory affect and also some physical therapy. To relieve some pain, a mild pain reliever can be taken such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol.
If you have any symptoms of sudden facial drooping you should go to the nearest emergency room immediately. .

Meet Ann Marie Gonzalez

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

This month we would like to introduce you to Ann Marie Gonzalez, Senior Accounting Clerk in the Business Office at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Ann Marie has been with the hospital for over 17 years and is well known to everyone at the hospital for her warm personality and enthusiasm.
Ann Marie grew up in Williamsburg Brooklyn and is a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood. Her Italian family background taught her to love family and friends and have respect for other people. She is married to her husband Joe who also works at Jamaica Hospital and has two daughters, the older one recently got married . Ann Marie and her family currently live in Manalapan New Jersey and they share their home with a cat and dog which they adore.
She enjoys entertaining at her home and the more people that show up the happier she is. Ann Marie is known for her cooking and her baking skills which she learned from her mother and grandmother. Nobody leaves a dinner party at her house feeling hungry. She is also known for her generosity. If anyone ever needs anything they know that they can count on her to be there for them.
There are so many reasons why Ann Marie enjoys working at Jamaica Hospital. Her co-workers are like family to her. They work well together as a team and she looks forward to coming to work every morning because of all these wonderful people. Ann Marie enjoys interacting with the patients both on the phone and in person, always trying to make sure they have a pleasant experience. She is thankful for all of the opportunities that Jamaica Hospital has given to her and her family.
Ann Marie brings her joy of life to Jamaica Hospital. She always wants to make a positive impact on other people’s lives and through her cheerful personality, she makes every day a little bit nicer for everyone she meets.

History of the EKG Machine

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

An EKG machine measures the electrical activity of the heart. It displays this activity by drawing waves on a piece of paper that is either displayed on a screen or drawn on a piece of paper that runs through a machine.
• Late 1700’s – The first step in the development of the modern electrocardiograph machine was the creation of a machine that could sense, but not measure, electric current. This machine was called a galvanometer.
• 1786 an Italian physician, Dr. Luigi Galvan, discovered that skeletal muscles worked by producing electric current. In
• 1842 Dr. Carlo Matteucci working at the University of Pisa discovered that there is an electrical current that comes with each heart beat in a frog.
• Mid 1800’s a machine called the “Rheotome” was invented that could now measure this electrical current.
• 1872 – further refinements to this Rheotome led to a machine devised by Gabrrile Lippman of the “capillary electrometer”.
During this time, a British physiologist, Augustus Waller, was able to record the first human electrocardiogram that using this technology with electrodes placed on the chest and back of a patient. This demonstrated electric activity taking place before ventricular contraction. In
• 1893 – Dr. Wilhelm Einthoven, a Dutch physiologist, refined the capillary electrometer to show five deflections in the electrical current passing through the heart. The five waves were initially called ABCDE, but were changed to PQRST after a mathematical correction was made to compensate for the inertia in the capillary tube. He used the phrase “electrocardiogram” for the first time at a meeting of Dutch physicians. In
• 1901 – Dr. Eintoven he developed a string galvanometer, a more sensitive machine. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for his invention of the electrocardiograph.
As time passed, the electrocardiograph machine became much smaller and much more accurate. In 1903 it weighed 600 pounds and by 1930 it weighed about 30 pounds. Tthe importance of an electrocardiograph was recognized as being essential in diagnosing cardiac from non cardiac pain and able to help diagnose a myocardial infarction or a heart attack. Today we use a 12 lead electrocardiogram as a major tool in diagnosing heart disease. The machine today weighs just a few pounds and is an essential tool in diagnosing diseases of the heart.

Plantar Fasciitis

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Have you ever experienced heel pain when you take those first few steps in the morning? The cause of this discomfort may be due to a tightening of the band of tissue known as the plantar fascia that runs along the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the toes.

When this ligament becomes strained, irritated, inflamed or swollen and causes pain when walking, the condition is known as plantar fasciitis.

Risk factors and causes of plantar fasciitis:

•High foot arches
•Flat feet
•Standing or walking on a hard surface for long periods of time
•Being overweight or obese
•Poor fitting shoes
•Tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles
•Tiny tears in the plantar fascia caused by repetitive straining
A proper diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is made by a physical examination of the foot and obtaining a comprehensive medical history of the patient. An x-ray or an MRI may be needed to see if there is a bone fracture that is causing the problem, also to determine if there is a bone spur present on the bottom of the heel.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis can involve taking an anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, stretching exercises, shoe inserts known as orthotics, steroid injections, and ultrasound. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to provide relief.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist at Jamaica Hospital to evaluate any foot conditions that may be causing discomfort, please call 718-206-6712.

Psoriasis

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Psoriasis is a condition that is characterized by raised, red scaly patches. It is often found on the scalp, knees and elbows but can show up on other parts of the body as well. It causes skin cells to multiply at a faster rate than normal which can lead to a buildup of lesions. Areas affected by psoriasis also tend to feel warmer because they contain more blood vessels.

Although the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown there is a correlation between genetics and the body’s immune system.

Psoriasis is not contagious so it does not get passed by coming in to contact with a person who has it. It affects men and women equally and can develop at any age, but it is most common between the ages of 15 and 35 years old.

Common signs of psoriasis include:

•Red patches of skin with thick silvery scales
•Cracked and dry skin that may bleed
•Stiff joints that may become swollen
•Itching, burning and soreness
•Nails that are pitted, thick and ridged
There are certain risk factors for developing psoriasis. This includes stress, smoking, obesity, alcoholism, skin infections, a vitamin D deficiency, and a family history.

Psoriasis is diagnosed by examining the skin. An assessment is conducted based on the thickness and redness of the skin. If a person is diagnosed, there are three ways that treatment for psoriasis can be approached. Topical creams and ointments that contain corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed medications for mild to moderate conditions. Light therapy that is either natural or artificial ultraviolet can be used and is directed at the area of the body that is affected. In severe cases, medications that are either injected or taken orally may be required. Depending on severity, these treatments can be offered by themselves or together. There are also alternative treatments that are being used and this includes Aloe Vera which comes from a plant and omega-3 fatty acids that comes from fish oils.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital for any type of skin condition, please call 718-206-7001.

What is Scoliosis ?

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the backbone (spine ). In the majority of cases, the cause of this curvature is unknown. In general, girls have a higher risk of developing scoliosis than boys do.However, there are cases where the curvature is due to a person having muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Other causes of scoliosis include birth defects, heredity, and spinal injuries. Not all abnormal spinal curvatures are considered scoliosis. A non-structural deformity can be due to one leg being longer than the other.

Many cases of scoliosis are considered to be mild and other than the spine having an abnormal sideways curvature, there is little impact on the body’s ability to function properly. In serious, the curvature of the spine may be so severe that it affects the chest cavity and causes problems with lung function. It may also affect the heart’s ability to function properly.

Symptoms of scoliosis:
• Hips that are uneven
• Uneven shoulders
• Uneven waist
• Back pain
• One shoulder blade that protrudes more than the other

In severe cases the ribs on one side of the body may protrude more than the other side
In order to diagnose scoliosis a physician will perform a physical exam that includes visualizing the patient’s posture, taking a family history, performing a neurological exam to check for muscle weakness, numbness, and abnormal reflexes. A series of x-rays will also be taken to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of scoliosis is determined by the severity of the abnormal spinal curvature, the age of the patient, the location of the curvature, and whether or not the curvature is “C” shaped or a “double S “. In many cases no treatment will be required, only careful monitoring to see if the condition worsens over time. In cases that are moderate a brace may be prescribed to prevent the worsening of the condition. Severe cases of scoliosis may require surgical intervention. This procedure involves fusion of two or more vertebrae and the use of either rods, plates and screws to hold the spine in place.

If you think that your child may have an abnormal curvature of the spine, speak with your pediatrician about an evaluation. To schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Bobby Serina, RN

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

The entire staff of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Emergency Department is critical to treating hundreds of patients every day. For over twenty years, one of the people who has dedicated his career to taking care of patients is Bobby Serina, RN.
Bobby grew up in the Philippines where he attended Liceo De Cagayan College of Nursing. He graduated in 1979 then started working at Doctor’s General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City in 1980 as an ER/OR nurse. Bobby furthered his education during this time and obtained his BSN Supplemental in 1981. In 1985 he decided to go abroad, traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he worked at the 1400 bed Riyadh Central Hospital in the emergency room.
While Bobby was working in Saudi Arabia he met his beautiful wife Menchi who is also an ER nurse. They are blessed with three beautiful children and two grandchildren. He worked in Saudi Arabia for ten years and had the opportunity of a lifetime when he went to work in the Royal Palace clinic in Riyadh. In the years that Bobby spent in Saudi Arabia he learned the culture of the country and the Arabic language which he still speaks very well. In 1983 Bobby’s wife came to the United States and shortly afterwards, he followed.
Bobby has been working at Jamaica Hospital for twenty years and he describes his experiences at the hospital as amazing and would not trade it for anything. He feels that he learns something new every day which he feels is so important. He enjoys working with the wonderful people at the hospital who come from so many different parts of the world. Bobby describes the ER as a collaborative effort between the EMS responders, PCA’s, PAR’s, transporters, PA’s, physicians and hospital administration. The camaraderie amongst the staff and the fact that they share a common goal of helping our patients is why they work together so well. Bobby really enjoys making a big difference in patients’ lives and he says, no matter how stressful each day can be, at the end of the day he says he feels a great deal of accomplishment.
Bobby is dedicated to his profession and to providing patients with the highest level of care and compassion. When he isn’t working, he enjoys running, working out, playing tennis and basketball. What is especially important to Bobby is his family and he enjoys spending time with them as often as possible.