We Shine Our Employee Spotlight on Jayson de Jesus

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

We are proud to shine our employee spotlight on Jayson de Jesus, a Patient Information Representative on 4 South.

Jayson has worked at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for over 25 years. He enjoys the daily interactions he has with his colleagues, many of whom he considers to be his friends, as well as with patients and their families. Jayson is very much a “people person” and is known by everyone to be caring, kind and always willing to help. He is always interested in learning about other people’s cultures.

Jayson is originally from the Philippines, where he completed most of his education. He attended elementary school at GSCS, high school at St. Paul College and graduated from the Central Escolar University in Manila. Jayson continued his education at St. John’s University when he first moved to Hollis, New York. He now resides with his family in Nassau County. Jayson has been married to his wife for over 18 years and they have a son who is 17 years old and a daughter who is 5 years old. Also sharing their home are their pet birds. Spending time with his family is one of his favorite things to do.

Around the hospital Jayson is known for his skills as a DJ. He has kept every holiday party lively with his musical talent. In his free time Jayson enjoys gardening, carpentry, playing basketball, and camping. His hobbies include working on cars and collecting sneakers.

Jayson enjoys traveling and has visited over 30 of the 50 states so far, the furthest one being Hawaii. He also enjoys eating all types of food. Jayson is very active in community activities and takes great pride in being an Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts.

We are very proud to have Jayson as part of the Jamaica Hospital team and we look forward to having him with us for many more years.

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.

Information On COVID-19 Third Dose

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, over 43% of the population in New York has been fully vaccinated. This number is rising daily as age restrictions lower for those eligible to receive the vaccine are announced.

Still, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be questioned by many members of our community. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is sharing the following information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to answer them.

Some commonly asked questions that people are asking:

Is the vaccine safe? The vaccines that are being distributed have undergone rigorous testing and have met the safety standards set forth by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Are there any side effects of this vaccine? The known side effects of the vaccines currently being distributed include soreness in the arm in which the vaccine was administered and some people have developed low grade fevers. Both of these only lasted less than 48 hours. There may be other side effects that we aren’t aware of yet.
Will the vaccine prevent me from getting COVID-19 ? This vaccine, like all other vaccines, will lessen the chances of getting the virus but is not 100 percent guaranteed to be effective for everyone.
How long will the vaccine be effective for? Until more time has passed and more people have been vaccinated, the CDC is not sure how long the vaccine will be effective for.

Most recently, there has been another question added which is:

Will there be a need for a third dose (booster) of the vaccine to maintain effectiveness? According to a recent CNBC report, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said, “People “likely” need a a booster dose within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated.

Although the “booster” vaccine is not currently available, it is hopeful that it will be available sometime this year.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is committed to vaccinating member of its staff and the community with the hope of vaccinating enough of the population to finally eradicate this deadly virus.

Pericarditis

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

There are several reasons why chest pain should never be ignored, pericarditis is one of them.

Pericarditis is the swelling and inflammation of the pericardium- the thin, saclike tissue that surrounds the heart. Pericarditis can affect people of all ages, but men ages 16 to 65 are more likely to develop it.

The causes of pericarditis can include:

An infection
A heart attack
Systemic inflammatory disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Trauma
Certain medications
Health disorders such as AIDS, kidney failure, cancer, or tuberculosis

Sharp or stabbing chest pain is the most common symptom of pericarditis; however, other signs and symptoms may also occur. They include:

Coughing
A low-grade fever
Abdominal or leg swelling
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath

According to the American Heart Association, “Pericarditis can be acute, meaning it happens suddenly and typically doesn’t last long. Or the condition may be “chronic,” meaning that it develops over time and may take longer to treat. Both types of pericarditis can disrupt your heart’s normal function. In rare cases, pericarditis can have very serious consequences, possibly leading to abnormal heart rhythm and death.”

Pericarditis is usually mild and may clear up with rest or simple treatments. Treatment in more severe cases can include medications or surgery.

If you are experiencing chest pains, it is important that you see a doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce the risk of complications caused by pericarditis.

To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7100.

The Benefits of Beets

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joann Ariola

According to www.healthline.com. Beets are packed with essential nutrients. They are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroot and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.

If you are in the mood for a beet based citrus salad delight, try this recipe for a quick, nourishing and delicious salad. INGREDIENTS:

1 bunch kale
1 bunch lettuce
1 kohlrabi
1 beet
2 carrots
1 grapefruit
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ cup sunflower seeds or pepitas

DIRECTIONS:

Remove the stems from the kale and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Peel the kohlrabi, beet, and 2 carrots and chop them into matchsticks (julienne) with a knife or using a food processor. Remove the sections from half of the grapefruit and peel them.
In a small canning jar, combine juice from the remaining half grapefruit (around ¼ cup), 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper. Cover the jar and shake vigorously to combine (or whisk all ingredients together in a bowl).
To serve, place vegetables on serving plates or in bowls. Top with grapefruit vinaigrette and sunflower seeds or pepitas.

For this and other delicious seasonal recipes visit – www.acouplecooks.com

If you want to learn more about the nutritional value of beets, visit: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/beetroot#:~:text=Packed%20with%20essential%20nutrients%2C%20beetroots,pressure%2C%20and%20increased%20exercise%20performance.

Can You Get Covid-19 More Than Once ?

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The COVID-19 virus is a new disease and there is still much to be learned about it. One of the questions people have is whether or not they can be re-infected if they have already had the virus. The simple answer is “Yes”.

Typically when a person is infected with a virus their body develops a certain amount of immunity which lessens the chances that they will become re-infected with the same virus. However, in the case of COVID-19, a small but significant amount of people have been re-infected. A lot has to do with the amount of time that elapses between the first bout and the second. In some cases the second bout of COVID-19 is less severe than the first but there have been cases where the second bout is more severe than the first. At the present time, nobody knows how long the immunity our bodies develop to the virus lasts. Because the COVID-19 virus is so new, there needs to be more research done and more data gathered to say with certainty how the virus acts.

Highlighting the Achievements of Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Cardiology

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is focused on providing the highest quality, cost-effective care to our patients. We continually assess the needs of our community and offer new services. Over the last few years, we have added a group of talented, sub-specialty trained physicians who have made significant advancements in their respective departments.

We would like to introduce some of our new team members and the services they have added to our network. Today we are highlighting the achievements of our Division of Cardiology.

Under the leadership of Dr. Aditya Mangla and Dr. Zoran Lasic, the hospital’s cardiology service has maintained a robust, high-quality coronary intervention program throughout the COVID pandemic and is now back to pre-pandemic volume. They have created a comprehensive cardiogenic shock program to diagnose and treat patients who suffered a catastrophic heart attack. This treatment is achieved by quickly reestablishing blood flow to the heart, and, if necessary, inserting support devices to patients who experienced severe shock.

Additionally, the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) has been working with the national registry for pulmonary embolisms and over the past two years has further developed its ability to perform pulmonary embolism catheter-based therapy. This is important because pulmonary embolisms have been recognized as significant causes for patient mortality and our ability to quickly and effectively provide this service will save countless lives.

Lastly, the cardiology division is collaborating with the Division of Vascular Surgery to begin an endovascular deep venous thrombosis program as an extension of their existing pulmonary embolism program.

The Cardiology Division has also received many accolades for its high-quality care, including being ranked as one of the “Top 100 Hospitals in the U.S. for Coronary Intervention” by Healthgrades. They also received the Gold Plus award for Heart Failure management and the Bronze award for NSTEMI management from the American Heart Association.

Congratulations to Jamaica Hospital’s Cardiology Division for these many achievements.

Healthy Vision Month

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 90 million Americans over 40 have eye problems. That is about 60 percent of the population.

May has been designated as Healthy Vision Month to bring attention to our eyes and the problems that we can encounter. While prevention is always the best route to follow, treating eye problems early, should they occur, can prevent further harm to our vision.

One of the reasons people neglect their eyes is because if they don’t think there is a problem, they aren’t going to get checked. While older adults, especially women, are usually the group that experiences more age-related vision problems, it is becoming more evident that school-age children are also experiencing vision problems. Children who can’t see well probably have difficulty reading, which can affect them in school.

Many eye problems can be traced back to family history. While there is no guarantee that someone will experience an issue with their vision if a parent had an eye problem, it is certainly something to be mindful of. Certain chronic illnesses, like diabetes, can also predispose people to vision problems.

It is important to protect your eyes from things that can harm them. Doctors recommend wearing sunglasses if you are going to be outdoors during daylight hours for prolonged periods of time. It is also recommended to wear safety glasses if you are going to be working in hazardous environments.

Many of us spend long periods of time looking at our computer screens. To avoid problems we should follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes look away from the screen and focus on something twenty feet away for twenty seconds. This will help to prevent the eyes from getting tired and the muscles of the eyes from becoming weak.
Other ways to protect your vision include:
• Regular comprehensive eye exams
• Proper diet (with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and dark leafy vegetables)
• Quit smoking or don’t start
• Maintain a proper weight
• Wash hands before placing or removing contact lenses

The National Eye Institute recommends a regular comprehensive dilated eye exam be performed on a regular basis, usually once a year. If you would like to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Jamaica Hospital, please call718-206-5900.

New Masking Guidelines For Those Fully Vaccinated

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Millions of Americans have received their COVID vaccine, and those who are now fully vaccinated can begin to do many things that they could not do because of the pandemic.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued updated guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, which included new rules for mask wearing.

Some of the new guidelines allow those who are fully vaccinated to:

Gather or conduct activities outdoors without wearing a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues. Wearing a mask at large events, such as parades, live performance or sporting event is still recommended.
Attend small indoor gatherings with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart. It is still recommended to avoid large indoor gatherings such as the mall or movie theatre.
Travel within the United States without needing to get tested or self-quarantine before or after your trip.

In addition, if you are fully vaccinated and have been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.

These new guidelines only apply to fully vaccinated individuals, which is defined as 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The CDC is instructing unvaccinated people to wear a mask at all gatherings.

Vaccines remain the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you would like to make an appointment, to get vaccinated at Jamaica Hospital, please email us at [email protected]

Jamaica Hospital Ranked Among 2021’s Best Hospitals In America

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is the proud recipient of the Healthgrades 2021 America’s 250 Best Hospitals award. This premier distinction is only given to hospitals that rank in the top 5% in the nation for overall clinical excellence.

Healthgrades is the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Each year, the organization analyzes nearly 4,500 hospitals in the United States and evaluates their performance in providing quality care for multiple conditions and procedures. Based on their overall performance, the top 5% of all facilities are identified and selected as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals.

According to Healthgrades, “These elite hospitals not only demonstrate clinical excellence across multiple conditions and procedures but also consistently deliver superior outcomes year over year.” This is the second consecutive year that Jamaica Hospital has received the prestigious award, the hospital was recognized as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2020.

Being named as a Healthgrades America’s 250 Best Hospital is a tremendous honor. It is not only a testament to Jamaica Hospital’s patient-centered initiatives and focus on providing quality healthcare, but also speaks to the dedication and hard work of the hospital’s staff.

In addition to receiving the 2021 America’s 250 Best Hospitals award for its overall performance, Jamaica Hospital has been recognized as a top performer in delivering outstanding patient care in specific specialties and procedures. The hospital also received the 2021 America’s 100 Best Coronary Intervention and America’s 100 Best Stroke Care awards, as well as the 2021 Excellence awards for cranial neurosurgery, neurosciences and pulmonary care.

“We applaud the recipients of the Healthgrades America’s 50, 100 and 250 Best Hospitals for their long-standing commitment to quality and superior clinical outcomes. As hospitals across the country continue to fearlessly treat patients during the time of COVID-19, it has never been more important to recognize those organizations that are delivering the highest quality care,” stated Dr. Brad Bowman Chief Medical Officer at Healthgrades.

Jamaica Hospital Provides A Comprehensive Virtual Prenatal Experience For Women

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Being pregnant can be very challenging, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the issues that a growing number of pregnant women are encountering at this time is loneliness.

Studies show that over 50% of expecting mothers admit to feeling extremely lonely and isolated because they are spending more time at home, and away from others. These factors are believed to be contributors to a rise in prenatal depression.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center provides a solution to this problem by offering pregnant women a safe place where they feel supported. By moving its CenteringPregnancy program to a virtual space, patients of the hospital can receive prenatal care and actively engage with a community of healthcare providers and fellow moms on Zoom.

In the CenteringPregnancy program at Jamaica Hospital, patients with similar due dates are invited to participate in group sessions facilitated by doctors or midwives. Participants meet every two or four weeks (depending on gestational age) and interact with nutritionists, lactation consultants and other healthcare providers. A variety of topics including mental health, breastfeeding and labor preparation are discussed. Special guest speakers from organizations such as Safe Sleep and Queens Healthy Start are also invited to share information and connect moms to helpful resources.

Before their first group session, patients attend an in-person orientation where they are given a Centering prenatal kit. This consists of a scale, blood pressure monitor, fetal Doppler, books and other materials, all of which are needed to participate in the program. Participants are trained on how to use each item to monitor their baby’s development and record vital health information. Patients report this information to their providers in a private session before the start of every group meeting.

While engagement and group discussions are encouraged among participants, there are 1-on-1, break-away sessions during each meeting. Here, mothers can speak privately with facilitators about any concerns or questions they may have. If a patient’s needs cannot be addressed via Zoom, an appointment will be scheduled to see their doctor at the Women’s Health Center where strict COVID-19 safety protocols are followed.

Jamaica Hospital’s virtual CenteringPregnancy program has been highly successful. The program has earned recognition from leading institutions and is used to demonstrate the benefits of virtual prenatal care to other medical facilities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the pregnancy experience for a lot of women, and we are constantly thinking of ways to make it as positive as we can,” said Patricia Fox, Certified Midwife. “Our team has established this unique, virtual platform so that we can provide our patients with a healthcare service that is convenient, safe and supportive. We understand how important these things are during these unprecedented times,” shared Thalita Viruet, Practice Manager for the Women’s Health Center.

To learn more about Centering at Jamaica Hospital, please call our Women’s Health Department at 718-291-3276.