VOLUME 12 NUMBER 12 | DECEMBER 2017

ALBANY MED

Avril Moncrieffe, PSA KNOWN FOR OUR EXPERTISE. CHOSEN FOR OUR CARE. Environmental Services TODAY Team Honored / p. 2 Study on Opioid Use in Emergency Medicine Garners Widespread Attention

Andrew Chang, MD, MS, the combinations given and found randomized, double-blind clinical Vincent P. Verdile, MD, ’84 Endowed patients experienced little diff erence trial. Consented participants Chair for Emergency Medicine, in pain relief after two hours. were given a single dose of one has authored a study on painkillers of four oral analgesics (ibuprofen, administered in an emergency “Our results of no diff erence in pain oxycodone, hydrocodone, or department (ED) setting that shows relief while the patient is still in the codeine), all combined with similar pain reduction off ered by ED imply that patients may be more acetaminophen, and were asked three diff erent opioids and one accepting of a non-opioid upon to rate their pain intensity from 0 non-opioid combination analgesic. discharge—and clinicians may feel to 10 upon ingestion, and at one-  e study, which was published in less pressure to prescribe opioids to and two-hour intervals following the Journal of the American Medical patients leaving the ED,” he said. ingestion while still in the ED. Association, has the potential to aff ect “If we can decrease the number of the way opioids are given in ED patients being exposed to opioids, Of 411 patients, baseline pain settings and has added signifi cant fuel then perhaps we can decrease the intensity was initially high at mean it is true for every patient.” to the ongoing national discussion number of patients who will become 8.7. While each group experienced He also cautioned that the results about the opioid crisis in America. addicted to them.  at change in signifi cant decreased pain after two of this study cannot necessarily be  e study has received coverage in prescribing behavior might help hours (decreases in pain ranged generalized to other types of pain, more than 60 news outlets, including address the ongoing opioid epidemic from 3.5-4.4 points), there was no other settings outside the ED and the New York Times, Time and the and its devastating eff ects in statistically signifi cant or clinically other dosing regimens beyond a Associated Press. U.S. communities.” important diff erence in the change in single dose of analgesic, since those pain between any of the four groups. features were not examined in Dr. Chang, who joined Albany Med For the study, Dr. Chang, professor the study. of emergency medicine and vice chair in late 2016, performed the research Dr. Chang stressed that the results of of research and academic aff airs, while at Montefi ore Medical Center his study were an average—and that He plans to conduct additional compared the response of non-elderly in the Bronx. Adult patients who any patient’s response to a medication research that examines this non- patients with acute extremity pain to presented to the ED with acute is bound to be individualized. “In opioid regimen in the outpatient four diff erent analgesic medication extremity pain that required imaging other words,” he said, “just because setting after ED discharge. were considered for inclusion in the something is generally true doesn’t

Cardiac Rehab Nurse Wins Albany Med’s First DAISY Award

Pauline Calimag, RN, MSN, has nomination. “Everyone at Albany Med received Albany Med’s fi rst DAISY supported my father’s recovery, and Award, an honor bestowed upon Pauline epitomizes the healer’s touch.” clinical nurses in recognition of the extraordinary care they provide. Calimag Richard Dewitt was discharged received the award in November, in October, after spending a little surrounded by her colleagues in the over a week at Albany Med, and is post-cardiothoracic surgery unit. recovering well. DAISY Award nominations are reviewed by Albany Med’s nurse recognition committee. A DAISY winner will be named each month from the Main Campus and a second award will be given to a nurse from South Clinical In recent months, nursing leadership Campus and Albany Med’s practice at Albany Med has worked to develop From left: Diane Carey, RN, assistant vice president for Medical Mental Health and Rehab Services, DAISY winner Pauline Calimag, RN, and Chief Nursing Offi cer Kate Roche. settings. Nomination forms are available and introduce the DAISY program, on all hospital units. a national program that highlights the inestimable role nurses play in patient care. Shortly after his surgery, Calimag noticed Winners are selected based on their demonstration DAISY Award winners are selected based on Dewitt’s heart rate and blood pressure were of the qualities outlined in the Albany Med nominations by patients and their family members. dropping. Based on her observation, medical staff CARES program: Compassion for the needs eventually stopped beta blocker medication and his of patients and families; Accountability Calimag’s nomination was written by Deborah condition improved. by going above and beyond; Respect for Dewitt, of Baltimore, whose father, Richard patients and families; and Engagement in the “We are so grateful for Pauline’s observation and Dewitt, received quadruple bypass surgery at patient experience. Albany Med. judgment,” Deborah Dewitt wrote in her DAISY RAISING THE BAR Environmental Services Team Honored for Working Faster and Protecting Patients’ Health

 ey set the stage upon which all work—and and disinfecting more than 80,000 rooms annually Going Deep With Disinfection healing—gets done at Albany Medical Center. when patients are discharged or transferred.

 e Albany Med Environmental Services (EVS) Since 2014, EVS has signifi cantly reduced the team is made up of more than 375 dedicated time it takes to reach and clean these rooms professionals who work around the clock every day while maintaining high standards. “Overall of the year to provide a clean, safe environment for room turnover time has decreased 18 minutes patients, visitors and staff .  is powerful workforce per room, providing 69 hours a day of increased was recently recognized with a New Signifi cant room availability,” said Chief Medical Offi cer Quality Award for increasing the effi ciency of Dennis McKenna, MD. “At night, that time was hospital room turnovers to help get patients to the shortened by 26 minutes, providing 50 extra hours right bed in the right unit as quickly as possible, as of room availability.  is is an invaluable amount well as implementing innovative techniques that of extra operational bandwidth at a hospital that have been shown to signifi cantly protect patients’ serves as many patients as ours.” health. Seeing the Big Picture One of the happy fallouts of their collaboration How did they do it? was the addition of a Tru-D Smart UVC system in Teamwork, strategy and 24/7 follow-through. June to clean rooms occupied by patients with clostridium diffi cile (C-diff ), a drug-resistant bacterial infection that can be a risk to patients taking antibiotics.

Previously only used to clean operating rooms at Albany Med, EVS associates like James Mugabi, In addition to the human touch, EVS above, now employ the Tru-D, which uses introduced new technology in 2017, ultraviolet light, to deeply disinfect sealed rooms. including HEV monitors that provide EVS Before this even happens, EVS team members dispatchers and supervisors with a constant like Avril Moncrieff e, PSA, below, go to work, visual overview of rooms at all stages of the thoroughly hand-cleaning these rooms, the same turnover process. Synchronized way they do for every patient room at Albany Med. communication, via pager and two-way It’s a one-two punch against C-diff and other radio, allows for the speedy arrival of the hospital-acquired infections. right team members to the right place. Majeda Al Zaydan, ASA V, above, and A Workforce That Never Sleeps James Brisbin, ASA V, are the dispatchers who coordinate this complicated process. “It’s a little like playing chess,” Al Zaydan said. “A lot went in to this achievement,” said Daniel Madden, director of Environmental Services. “We  anks to these and other strategies, Albany introduced new technology. We set room ‘turn Med has seen a reduction of hospital-acquired time’ goals. But, really, it was the people who made infections, which are a risk in any hospital. it happen. It’s impossible to put into words how hard this team works—and how much they do.” Albany Med’s EVS team works very closely with the Department of Epidemiology. “We have a Albany Med’s EVS staff (just a few of whom are very vigorous approach to reducing the risk of And the fi ght goes on. “We are introducing new pictured above) perform innumerable operations infections,” said Rebecca O’Donnell, MT (ASCP), ideas all the time,” Madden said, “but it’s really our across Albany Med and its off -site locations.  ese CIC, director of epidemiology, “and we are all people who make the diff erence.  ey are a team include keeping operating rooms gleaming and very proud that our eff orts have had such a direct beyond compare.” sterile, preparing patients for meals, and cleaning impact on protecting patients’ health.”

Double H Documentary Features Albany Med Physicians and Partnership

A new documentary about the Double H Ranch, a year-round camp for children with serious illnesses in the Adirondacks, features some faces that will no doubt be familiar to anyone with more than a passing knowledge of Albany Medical Center.

Chief Medical Offi cer Dennis McKenna, MD, a Double H Ranch board member; pediatric oncologist Jennifer Pearce, MD; and pediatric critical care specialist Ray Walsh, MD, all describe the profound partnership Albany Med has with Double H, dating back to 1994.

Jennifer Pearce, MD, associate professor “Double H Ranch – Magic Happens Here” will air this month on Saturday, Dec. of pediatric hematology-oncology 9, at 7 p.m. on WCWN (CW 15); Friday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. on WRGB (CBS 6);

Courtesy Working Pictures Courtesy Working Monday, Dec. 25, at 10 p.m. on WCWN (CW 15) and throughout 2018.

For the full broadcast schedule, please visit: www.doublehranch.org/camp_updates/ 2 | ALBANY MED TODAY | DECEMBER 2017 V. , N.  Grant to Albany Medical College Enables D,  Training in Substance Abuse Recognition A M T is published monthly by the  anks to a $850,000 grant from the Department of Policy, Planning The chart illustrates SAMHSA’s latest low-risk guidelines recommended weekly for men and women. and Communications at Albany Substance Abuse and Mental Health Medical Center. Comments Services Administration (SAMHSA), Levels of Risk and story suggestions can be Albany Medical College students directed to Public Relations Severe: 5% and other trainees are now learning Low-Risk Guidelines at (518) 262-3421 or strategies to identify and provide Harmful: 10% albanymedcommunications No more than: AND no more than: @mail.amc.edu. intervention to patients who have Risky: 10% substance-use disorders or who engage Men <65 yrs 4 drinks in a day 14 drinks per week ALBANY MEDICAL Women 3 drinks in a day 7 drinks per week CENTER OFFICERS in the “risky” use of substances. All ages =>65 3 drinks in a day 7 drinks per week Low Risk or JAMES J. BARBA, JD  e three-year “Screening, Brief Pregnancy 0 0 Abstain: 75% President and Chief Executive Offi cer Intervention and Referral to Treatment” grant is supporting a STEVEN M. FRISCH, MD Standard drink: Senior Executive Vice President for collaboration between Albany Medical the Integrated Delivery System College’s Department of Psychiatry VINCENT VERDILE, MD and two local colleges, so—in addition 12 oz. 5 oz. 1.5 oz.  e Lynne and Mark Groban, to those training to be physicians, M.D. ’67, Distinguished Dean beer glass of wine (shot) of liquor of Albany Medical College and physician assistants, psychologists, Senior Executive Vice President family medicine practitioners and for System Care Delivery psychiatrists at Albany Med— GEORGE T. HICKMAN students in  e Sage College’s nurse Executive Vice President Consuming anything more than what alcoholic beverages at social functions,” for System Information and practitioner program and the Albany is recommended in SAMHSA’s low- Dr. Balkoski said. Data Services and Chief College of Pharmacy and Health Information Offi cer risk guidelines places individuals at Sciences’ pharmacy program are also  e curriculum includes an online GARY J. KOCHEM risk for harm, either through damage benefi ting from the training, which interactive module and motivational Executive Vice President and to their bodies, accidents or other Chief Operating Offi cer began this year. eff ects on their personal and work or interviewing techniques. Goals include FRANCES SPREER ALBERT school lives. increasing knowledge and competence Executive Vice President and Victoria Balkoski, MD, professor and in understanding substance abuse Chief Financial Offi cer chair of the Department of Psychiatry, Providers are trained to ask patients disorders and associated health risks, FERDINAND J. VENDITTI, MD said the training program provides about the “pros and cons” of their screening and educating patients Executive Vice President for new tools to students and trainees. System Care Delivery and use, including how their drinking or about risks, and motivating patients to Hospital General Director “While medical professionals are substance use impacts their health, change behaviors to reduce their risks. JOHN DEPAOLA trained to ask patients about their relationships, work or school. Executive Associate Dean of substance use habits, they are not Up to 750 students and more than Albany Medical College routinely trained to discuss the medical “Once the potential dangers of their 40 faculty are expected to be trained and Chief Administrative Offi cer for System Care Delivery and social risks associated with those actions are recognized, patients might over the course of the grant, and each LOUIS FILHOUR, PHD, RN habits and perform an intervention to be more likely to develop strategies for profession is committed to continuing Chief Executive Offi cer for help the patient take steps to decrease cutting down, such as avoiding triggers, the training for their students upon the Albany Medical Center Hospital’s those risks.” or alternating non-alcoholic and grant’s completion. Performing Provider System MICHAEL GRUENTHAL, MD, PHD Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Aff airs and President of the Faculty Group Practice Albany Med Introduces New Breast Cancer NOEL HOGAN Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Offi cer Screening Tool for Dense Breast Tissue MATTHEW JONES, JD Senior Vice President and Albany Med is now off ering automated whole breast General Counsel ultrasound (ABUS) as an advanced breast cancer screening KEVIN M. LEYDEN option for women with dense breast tissue. Senior Vice President for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships “While mammography is still the gold standard in breast DENNIS P. MCKENNA, MD cancer detection, it can miss tumors in women with dense Senior Vice President for breasts,” said Beth Whiteside, MD, assistant professor Medical Aff airs and System of radiology and medical director of Albany Med’s Chief Medical Director Breast Center. MOLLY NICOL Senior Vice President for Development and Ultrasound, which uses sound waves instead of radiation, Communications increases detection of cancer in the breast by more than HENRY POHL, MD 35 percent. An ABUS exam takes approximately 15 Vice Dean for minutes—faster than manual ultrasound, which sometimes Academic Administration takes up to 45—and produces 3D images of the entire KATHLEEN ROCHE, RN, MS breast. With the addition of the Invenia ABUS, right, Senior Vice President and System Chief Nursing Offi cer Albany Med’s Breast Center off ers the full complement of DARLEEN SOUZA 3D breast services for breast screening. Senior Vice President for Human Resources In the United States, more than 40 percent of women have ROBERT WELCH dense breast tissue. Senior Vice President for Diagnostic and  erapeutic Services

ALBANY MED TODAY | DECEMBER 2017 | 3 Albany Medical Center Foundation 43 New Scotland Avenue (Mail Code 119) Albany, New York 12208 (518) 262-3322 Fax (518) 262-4769 Email: [email protected] www.amc.edu Change Service Requested

COMMUNITY MATTERS … AT ALBANY MED

Albany Med President and CEO Honored for Career Achievement by Albany Business Review

Albany Med President and CEO Jim Barba the “constellation of cultures” at was honored with a Career Achievement Albany Med. Award from the Albany Business Review for his contributions to the growth of the Capital “ e doctors, nurses and staff build a Region economy. Only several other business culture of excellence,” he said. “Faculty leaders in the region have been recognized and researchers create a culture of with this award since its inception 34 years ago. knowledge. Board members, donors and volunteers create a culture of At an awards dinner in November at the generosity. And our patients, their Albany Marriott that drew more than 325 families and our students create a people, Barba refl ected on the time he culture of community.  e individuals has served Albany Med as chief executive in these unique cultures—all stars offi cer, a role he assumed in 1995. He shared in their own right—make up the his thoughts on the importance of the constellation I represent tonight. It has

community’s support as the Medical Center Donna Abbott-Vlahos, Albany Business Review been my job—and my privilege—to has grown and changed, Albany Med’s From left: Michael Poveda, partner in charge, Greater Albany Market, Grant help draw the lines that connect them.” challenges when he fi rst took the helm and Thornton; Albany Business Review Market President and Publisher Cindy Applebaum, Albany Med President Jim Barba, M&T Bank Market President Beth exciting new projects, like the Pediatric Beshaw and Albany Business Review Editor-in-Chief Mike Hendricks.  e Albany Business Review also Emergency Department currently underway. honored Albany Med board member Ruth Mahoney, market president of Albany Business Review Editor-in-Chief Mike complex that is more than a hospital and has KeyBank, who was named Executive of the Year, Hendricks said, “Look at what the Albany Medical transformed a major part of the City of Albany.” and the Double H Ranch, an Albany Med partner, Center is today. Nearly everyone in our community which was named Nonprofi t of the Year. (For more has been touched in a very meaningful way by Hendricks credited Barba’s “leadership and vision” on the Double H Ranch, see page 2.) its expansion into the modern, leading medical for much of this success, but Barba deferred, citing

Employees Make Albany Medical College Biotech Their Mark on the Startup Wins $50K

Pediatric ED Praxis Biotechnology, a biotech startup co-founded by Alejandro Adam, Albany Med celebrated a milestone in the PhD, assistant professor of molecular construction of its Pediatric Emergency and cellular physiology, and Edward Department last month when employees Wladis, MD, associate professor of across the Medical Center were invited to ophthalmology, recently won $50,000 Dr. Alejandro Adam sign their names to steel beams for the new in a statewide competition organized by facility, which is scheduled to open in spring FuzeHub, a nonprofi t organization that 2018. Albany Med’s Pediatric Emergency assists small to medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York Department will be the only one of its kind State. Praxis was one fi ve winners selected from a fi eld of 17 statewide in northeastern New York and western and the only one from the Capital Region. It is developing a treatment New England. for a skin disease called rosacea, and this award allows the company to test the medication in patients.  e company is housed at Albany Medical College’s Biomedical Accelerator and Commercialization Center (BACC). 4 | ALBANY MED TODAY | DECEMBER 2017