Flushing Hospital’s Nurse of the Month

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Our nurses are the pillars of our community. In addition to meeting the demands of being a caregiver, they wear several hats including that of an educator, nurturer, and comforter.

Not only to do nurses care for patients; they provide support to families and loved ones during difficult times.

Our nurses pour their hearts into all aspects of their job, and this is one of the many reasons why we celebrate their accomplishments.

Join us in congratulating Chenfei Huang RN for receiving Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Nurse of the Month.

Meet Chenfei:

Q&A:

Q: How long have you been working for FHMC?
A: I started working at Flushing September of 2015. Initially started on telemetry 3N2, and later transitioned to ICU

Q: On which unit do you currently work?
A: ICU: MICU, SICU, CCU

Q: Why did you want to become a nurse?
A: The increasing diversity of the population in the metro area. The need for nurses with cultural awareness and understanding of specific population groups. I have an appreciation for the complexity of medical conditions. Lastly, patients are living longer, I want to ensure that our population will receive the very best healthcare for years to come.

Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: The ability to advocate for patients. In ICU, many patients are so sick that they are unable to speak up. Nurses are the voice of the patients. The gratitude you receive from patients is priceless.

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.

Employee Spotlight – William “Jasper” Jackson

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) Employee Spotlight shines on William “Jasper” Jackson. Jasper is the Program Administrator in the

As Program Administrator, for the past five and a half years, Jasper has the responsibility of assisting in the day-to-day workings of the department. He assists with the planning, implementation and monitoring of various processes and systems, as well as providing general office support for the faculty, residents and staff.

When not at work, Jasper enjoys hiking and spending time with his family. Additionally, he is involved in his community. He is currently a board member at his Co-op as well as the Shirley Chisholm Day Care Centers, Inc.

Jasper loves the work he does even though there can be challenges with ensuring compliance with departmental and institutional requirements. “The most rewarding part of my job is the sense of accomplishment as projects and tasks are completed. I also love my interactions with colleagues throughout our network.”

Congratulations William “Jasper” Jackson for being chosen as June’s Employee Spotlight!

Flushing Hospital Medical Center Advocates for Healthy Mothers and Newborns

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

breastfeeding program flushing queens The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) highlights the many ways its member hospitals and health systems are transforming healthcare with their “Innovation Spotlight” campaign. Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) is proud to have been highlighted as an “Innovator” in advocating for healthy mothers and newborns.

In 2015, the hospital began a community-based program, Breastfeeding and Beyond: Breastfeeding Education and Nutrition in the Community. According to HANYS, “FHMC works with partners in the community — including the New York City Public Library and Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — to improve health and promote the well-being of women, newborns, infants, toddlers and children.”

“Over the past three years, Flushing Hospital’s exclusive breastfeeding rates increased from 6% to 30%. More than 375 women with their children and families have been educated both prenatally and after birth. The intent to breastfeed upon admission to the hospital increased from 50% in 2015 to 96% in 2018 and upon discharge from the hospital it rose from 29% in 2015 to 88% in 2018.” stated Maria D. Smilios, Director, Nursing-Maternal and Child Services.

Click the link below to read the entire article.

https://www.hanys.org/community_spotlight/?a=vs&s=Flushing_Hospital_Medical_Center_advocates_for_healthy_mothers_and_newborns

Caring For A Loved One With Mental Illness

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Joann Ariola

mental illness, caregiver, depression, bi-polar, panic disorder, anxiety, obessive compulsive disorder, depression

Clinical diagnosis for mental illness such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression can be difficult. It is especially difficult when it is a loved one that is experiencing these conditions.

When a loved one has mental illness, family members can often feel emotions of embarrassment, anger, worry, self-blame or grief. Parents, specifically, can feel powerless over the disease and at a loss for what the best course of treatment for their child.

The focus becomes the person with mental illness, but studies have shown that it is just as important to maintain your own health while caring for a person with mental illness.

Some ways to maintain your health while being a caretaker are:

Maintain relationships with other family members
Seek professional support for yourself and your family
Participate in groups and family sessions with your loved one
Make time for yourself
Ask for help to lighten your responsibilities
Address one issue as a time to avoid burnout

As the caregiver, you are the tie that keeps everything together. The more educated you are about the disease your loved one is facing and the time you set aside for yourself will be what helps you navigate the obstacles.

If your loved one has mental illness and you are seeking professional help as a caregiver, call the Mental Health Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center at 718-670-5562 to schedule an appointment.

For more information for caring for a loved one with mental illness, visit American Phychological Association .

Is Tongue Scraping Good For Your Oral Health?

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Joann Ariola

tongue scraper, oral health, dental, oral care, bad breath, cavities, gum disease

In addition to brushing, many people are adding tongue scraping as a way to remove extra particles from the surface of the tongue. This technique is safely done with a small round tool usually made from plastic or metal that gently glides across the surface of the tongue removing any buildup of bacteria, dead cells and debris.

This buildup can cause:

Your sense of taste to lessen
A white coat to appear on top of your tongue
An increase in the likelihood of a stale odor (bad breath) to emanate from your mouth
An increased in the likelihood of cavities and gum disease.

By using a tongue scraper as part of your daily oral hygiene, many of these conditions can be eradicated.

Consistency in oral hygiene is the key to success. If you institute a regimen of brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as scraping your tongue regularly, you may find that your overall oral health will improve.

If you would like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center please call 718-670-5521 to schedule an appointment.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month which gives us the chance to make the public aware of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease being very important health issues.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s have profound effects on many people. There are an estimated 5 million people with the disease and 15 million people who are caring for them. It is said to be the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

It has been said that Alzheimer’s is the only disease that can lead to death that cannot be slowed down, cured, or prevented. It acts by slowly killing brain cells which affects all of our ability to function normally.

Brain exercises may help mental functionality in areas of memory, focus, concentration and understanding.

Some suggested ways to keep our brains healthy are:

Getting enough sleep
Staying physically active
Eating properly
Not smoking
Challenging your mind with social interaction
Taking classes
Being aware of challenges that could lead to depression

If you would like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center Receives New 3T MRI Scanner

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

The Radiology Department at Flushing Hospital offers a wide variety of advanced, state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging services to its patients. One of the ways they are able to do this is by offering the latest and most advanced imaging technology.

Through the acquisition of the Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra 3T MRI scanner, Flushing Hospital now provides one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced machines in healthcare.

Like Flushing’s previous MRI machine, the new model features an open-bore design, with an extra wide patient tube to accommodate larger patients. The larger size also increases comfort levels and decrease feelings of claustrophobia for all patients. The open-bore feature results in fewer patients requiring sedation and provides overall higher patient satisfaction.

Another benefit of the new MAGNETOM Skyra is its advanced imaging capabilities. Equipped with a 3T magnet, it provides the most accurate, high-resolution images and delivers them in less time. The Zero Helium boil-off feature and the Green Cooling package also make the new MRI machine more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

This new technology compliments Flushing Hospital’s team of Board Certified and fellowship-trained radiologists and highly-trained, experienced technologists. The department is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), which signifies a higher quality examination and care.

Is the keto diet right for you ?

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

A ketogenic diet, also called keto diet is based on the concept that foods that contain fat are responsible for 90% of our daily calories. This type of diet tries to change the source of our body’s fuel from carbohydrates to ketone bodies that the liver produces from stored fat.

In order for the body to do this, it has to reduce the use of carbohydrates as fuel. That means lowering our intake of carbohydrates to between 25 to 50 grams of carbohydrates a day. It can take a few days for the body to adapt to this kind of change.

The keto diet requires a person to eat fat at every meal. Food that contains saturated fat like palm and coconut oil, butter, beef, pork and bacon are recommended. Unsaturated fats found in nuts, seeds, avocados and olives are also allowed.

Fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates, have some, they are recommended only in small amounts daily.

The risks of a keto diet include:

Kidney problems
Constipation
Mood swings
Liver problems
Nutrient deficiency
Resuming a normal diet will cause weight gain

Before beginning any diet, it is recommended that you speak with your physician first. If you would like to speak to a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, you may call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Sunglasses – Strength and Protection

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

At this time of year we spend more time outdoors and for that reason it is important to protect our eyes from the potentially harmful rays of the sun. One of the ways we can do this is by wearing the right sunglasses.

Don’t be fooled by the price tag when purchasing sunglasses. Just because sunglasses are expensive doesn’t always mean that they are the best at blocking the UV rays. Always check the label first.

For sunglasses to be completely effective they should:

Block out as close to 100% of the UVA and UVB rays as possible
Block out 75 to 90 percent of the visible light
Have gray lenses for proper color recognition

If we are exposed to too much UV rays, over time, it can cause cataracts and can also harm the cornea and the retina. Short term exposure to UV radiation can cause photokeratitis, an inflammation of the cornea. It is temporary in the short term but can have serious consequences long term.

It is also important that sunglasses fit properly. They shouldn’t be worn so close that they touch the eyelids yet not too far off that they let sun get in around them.

A good rule to follow is if you are wearing sunscreen you should also be wearing sunglasses.

Employee Spotlight Shines On Cyril Reid

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Joann Ariola

May’s Employee Spotlight shines on Cyril Reid, better known to all as “CJ,” a Third Cook at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) cafeteria.

Each morning, CJ is at the server grilling delicious breakfast fare for visitors and employees. He is well known for his vegetable omelets. He takes great pride and care in the preparation and presentation of each dish prepared.

Although CJ is a fairly new employee at FHMC, he has quickly developed a positive reputation and following.

When CJ is not at FHMC, he enjoys spending time with his lovely girlfriend, mother, grandmother and siblings. When they are together CJ shares with them his love for family, basketball and, of course, food.

CJ stated that the most rewarding part of his job is, “Getting compliments from customers telling me that what I served them was delicious.” He tries his very best to make sure that any and all unforeseen obstacles within his control are addressed before he takes his place at the grill station.

For serving it up just right, we shine the Employee Spotlight on Cyril Reid.