Hospital Improvements Highlighted At Roundtable

Photo Tony Barsamian (L. to r.): Ana Rodriguez, Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens director of community relations and volunteer services, Cathy Rubenstein, Mount Sinai senior director of marketing, Caryn Schwab, Mount Sinai chief executive officer, and David Nierman M.D., Mount Sinai vice president and chief medical officer.

Representatives from more than 30 organizations gathered at the Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens seventh annual Community Roundtable on Wednesday, October 24. The meeting, held at the hospital, centered on ensuring that leaders of community-based organizations are up-to-date on hospital services and enhancements.

"We were proud to hear the positive feedback from community leaders regarding the many improvements we have made to our hospital," Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Chief Executive Officer Caryn Schwab said. "This annual event allows us to demonstrate our commitment to caring for our community, and lets us hear the about issues facing our community."

The afternoon's presentation outlined recent improvements made by the hospital, including:

• A high-capacity circuit built to link Mount Sinai Manhattan and Mount Sinai Queens with faster access to the Internet. This link allows for efficient communication on such activities as medical specialist consults.

• The electronic medical record, which was launched in the Emergency Department. This high-tech record keeps patient records instantly up to date, legible and easily accessible, improving patient care coordination.

• Digital imaging, which allows experts (including specialists at Mount Sinai Manhattan) to see the films from remote locations.

A filmless system also means no downtime in handling and storing films or finding misplaced films.

• A strengthening of the medical staff, including targeted recruitment of physicians with specific specialties and an expanded range of services.

• A comprehensive campaign for service improvement called BEST (Building Excellence for Success Together) that is designed to make Mount Sinai Queens "a great place to get care, a great place to practice medicine and a great place to work".

• Patient care enhancements, including pet therapy and musicians on call.

Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens is a 235- bed community hospital located in Long Island City, New York. It was purchased by Mount Sinai Hospital in June 1999. The hospital serves the communities of Western Queens and beyond with a medical staff of nearly 400 physicians representing 36 medical and surgical specialties.