Quality and Safety

Get Your Flu Vaccine Today!

If you haven't already received your flu vaccine, protect yourself, your patients and your family by getting one today. Stop in at Employee Health & Wellness (EH&W) at its new location on 8 South, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. No appointment is needed. "Hospital Access" must on your ID badge to receive the vaccine. Learn more about flu precautions by visiting the hospital intranet or calling EH&W at 4-7767.

Stem Cell Transplantation Team Awarded International Accreditation

Stony Brook University Cancer Center's Stem Cell Transplantation and Hematologic Malignancy Program has received accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This internationally recognized accreditation applies to both autologous (from the patient) and allogeneic (from a donor match) transplants.

FACT accreditation means that Stony Brook has met the most rigorous standards defined by leading experts. These standards are based on the latest knowledge in the field of cellular therapy transplantation, as well as government regulations. The accreditation covers every aspect of stem cell therapy, from clinical care to donor management, cell collection, processing, storage, transportation, administration and cell release.

"We're pleased to have been awarded FACT accreditation for our program," said Michael W. Schuster, MD, Director, Stem Cell Transplantation and Hematologic Malignancy Program. "We believe this recognition will make patients aware that our Cancer Center is committed to provide the highest quality care for cellular therapy treatment programs." Learn more. 

Michael W. Schuster, MD, Director, Stem Cell Transplantation and Hematologic Malignancy Program (center), and members of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program team

Service

Turn the Town Pink

For the second consecutive year, Stony Brook University Cancer Center is partnering with the Town of Brookhaven throughout the month of October to Turn the Town Pink and to help spread the message to Brookhaven's residents that awareness and early detection can save lives.

The initiative includes a series of free breast health education seminars led by Stony Brook physicians and staff. A variety of topics will be covered, including breast health, breast cancer treatment options, the latest research and more.

To further raise awareness, Stony Brook will turn the town pink -- literally -- with pink banners, pink buttons, pink vehicle magnets and pink signs in local businesses throughout the Town of Brookhaven. Learn more. 

Samuel Ryu, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, and Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs, Stony Brook Cancer Center (fourth from right) receives a proclamation on Sept. 30 from Edward P. Romaine, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven (fourth from left) and other Town of Brookhaven officials in recognition of "Turn the Town Pink" during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Neil Foley, Councilman, District 5; Kevin LaValle, Councilman, District 3; Valerie M. Cartright, Councilwoman, District 1; Supervisor Romaine; Dr. Ryu; Connie Kepert, Councilwoman, District 4; Daniel J. Panico, Councilman, District 6; and Jane Bonner, Councilwoman, District 2.

People

Dr. David Garry Named to Lead Maternal Fetal Medicine

David J. Garry, DO

David J. Garry, DO, has joined Stony Brook as the Director, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine.

Dr. Garry is returning to Stony Brook from Montefiore Medical Center where he served as Medical Director in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, as well as Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Previously at Stony Brook, he was a faculty member from 1998 to 2005 and the Director of the Fetal Diagnostic Unit. In his new role, Dr. Garry will lead efforts to expand the hospital's perinatal program and work with departmental leadership to further strengthen education and research initiatives in Stony Brook's fellowship program in maternal fetal medicine.

As a clinician, Dr. Garry has achieved multiple awards for clinical excellence from his patients and for his excellence in teaching. His research interests have resulted in more than 70 articles, chapters and abstracts. Most recently Dr. Garry's research has centered on fetal alcohol spectral disorders, HIV and pregnancy, and preterm labor.

Jeanne Martin Receives AANP Nurse Practitioner
State Award for Excellence

Jeanne Martin, ANP-BC (center) with Margaret O'Donnell, FNP, ANP-BC, FAANP, Southern NYS Representative, AANP (left) and Ken P. Miller, PhD, RN, Immediate Past President, AANP (right)

Jeanne Martin, ANP-BC, Department of Urology, was among the nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner advocates who received the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) 2015 State Award for Excellence in Advocacy at the AANP's National Conference. This prestigious award is given to a nurse practitioner who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy and who has made a significant contribution toward increasing awareness and acceptance of nurse practitioners. Martin is the only nurse practitioner in New York State to receive this honor.

Martin has been at Stony Brook since February 1997. In addition, she holds the position of Region Seven Director for the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State and is the Past President of the association. She has held a number of elected and appointed positions on both the state level, and with her home chapter, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island. Martin was the driving force behind passage of the Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act, which removes the mandatory written practice agreement for all NPs after 3,600 hours of clinical practice experience. Martin is a doctoral student at Stony Brook University.

Growth

Seeking Relief for Pain: A Variety of Options at Stony Brook

When pain -- whether short term or chronic -- begins to interfere with someone's daily functions or activities, getting proper treatment by a pain management specialist can be life changing. The Center for Pain Management at Stony Brook Medicine offers different types of specialized treatment, as well as a number of traditional and alternative treatment options.

Patients of all ages come to the Center for Pain Management for spine-related pain, cancer-related pain, joint pain, post-surgical pain and nerve-related pain. The Center offers a unique approach to pain management with the understanding that each patient is different in how he or she experiences pain. Treatment plans are customized and may involve a combination of therapies to maximize relief.

Stony Brook's Pain Center is staffed by physicians who are board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine, and by nurse practitioners who are experts in the field of pain medicine. A referral by a primary care physician or specialist is needed for a consultation. Learn more or call (631) 638-0800.

Sustainability

ICD-10 Launches

It's finally here. The transition from ICD-9 codes to ICD-10 codes (10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases) took place on Oct. 1.

As one of the biggest healthcare changes in more than 30 years, the rollout of ICD-10 requires more precise information in patient medical records. The new codes are more specific and will help to improve the quality of patient care and safety due to better data.

In addition to the implementation of the ICD-10 diagnosis coding system, the new Procedure Classification System (PCS) was also implemented for reporting procedures performed on hospital inpatients.

To help staff adjust to the new system, Diagnosis Assistant is available in the STARS Cerner PowerChart System. This tool is intended to help users choose an appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis without having to scan down a list of potentially thousands of terms. A bull's-eye symbol appears next to each new diagnosis added to Cerner. Once the bull's-eye is selected, Diagnosis Assistant will help guide clinicians to more specific codes. Learn more about ICD-10. 

Financial Results Report

Through July 2015, the first month of the fiscal year for Stony Brook University Hospital, discharges were 3,218, which was 107 discharges below budget. Average length of stay was .07 of a day lower than the prior year at 5.12 days. Case mix index remained unchanged from the prior year at 1.84.

Total Emergency Department visits were 364 higher than budget to 9,382 for the year. Inpatient surgeries increased by 45 to 832, and outpatient surgeries increased by 60 to 1,544. Endoscopy volume was 107 below plan at 1,137.

Profit/loss (P/L) was $360,000 versus budget of $314,000. Revenue was $1.2 million below budget partially due to inpatient volume.