Vol. 17, No. 3
Fall 2007
The Institute for Neurosciences: At the Vanguard of Specialized Care
Nine Winthrop Specialists Named to New York Magazine's “Best Doctors List
Good Health - It's in Our Hands
Tuskegee Airman Regains the Gift of Sight
Stroke Care at Winthrop
Under the Big Top
Golfing for the Kids
Pat Lyons Foundation Shows Unwavering Support for Generation of Survivors Program
Winthrop Opens LI's Only Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center
Migliozzi Family Donates Rocking Chair to NICU
Jay's World Foundation Shows Ongoing Support
Winthrop's Home Health Agency Tops National List Again
Clinical Trials: Bringing the Future of Medicine to Long Island
2007 MineolaStreet Fair
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One of the most powerful weapons in
fighting infection is also one of the
simplest - clean hands. And, according
to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), clean hands are the single
most important factor in preventing
the spread of germs within the healthcare
setting.
For decades, Winthrop-University
Hospital has been committed to
embracing practices that enhance
patient safety. And recently, Winthrop
underscored that commitment by
launching a Clean Hands Campaign,
aimed at increasing awareness among
staff, patients and visitors about the
importance of hand hygiene.
“Winthrop takes the health of its
patients seriously, " said Daniel P. Walsh,
President and CEO, Winthrop-University
Hospital. “We support all initiatives that
enhance patient safety, as they are vital
to ensuring the quality care for which
our Hospital is known.
Officially launched in September,
the Clean Hands Campaign involved a
series of initiatives, including installing
500 additional hand hygiene stations
with alcohol-based foam in patient
rooms, hallways, nursing stations,
testing areas and
public waiting
areas throughout
the Hospital. In
addition, foam
dispensers were
placed in outpatient
areas, with
plans for installation
in Winthrop's
physician practice
offices.
 Daniel P. Walsh, President and CEO of Winthrop (left), is joined at the launch of the Clean
Hands Campaign by (l.-r.) Suzanne Parker, Director of Quality Management; Kristin Vinson,
MSN, ANP-C, Quality Management Specialist; and Charles M. Strain, Chairman of
Winthrop's Board of Directors.
“Studies show
that alcohol-based
hand rubs, including
foams or gels,
reduce the number
of bacteria on
the hands more effectively than washing
hands with soap and water, " said
Suzanne Parker, Winthrop's Director of
Quality Management.
This ongoing campaign also
included educational programs for
staff directly involved in patient care
and posting signs in strategic positions
throughout the Hospital to
consistently reinforce the significance
of clean hands - not only for staff but
also for visitors.
“The signs serve as reminders to
Winthrop staff and visitors to stop,
think and take action to practice good
hand hygiene, " said James Flaherty,Vice President,
Administration at
Winthrop. “And every
day, hand washing
ambassadors carry the
message of clean hands
to our patients and staff
in order to improve
patient care.
According to Ms.
Parker, “The Winthrop
community is partnering
with staff members,
patients, family and
friends to prevent the
spread of germs both in the Hospital
and within the community.
Preparation for the Clean Hands
Campaign included valuable input
from many people, including members
of the Hospital's Board of Directors,
senior administrators, physicians and
nurses, and members of the
Hospital's Quality Management,
Patient Safety and Hand Hygiene
Committees.
“This campaign is a perfect example
of how professionals with various
skills on the Winthrop Team can join
forces and use their expertise to
address an important issue, come up
with a solution and
improve the quality of
care for our patients,
said Charles Strain,
Chairman of Winthrop's
Board of Directors.
Through education,
heightened awareness
and participation, the
Clean Hands Campaign
is successfully bringing
the message of good
hand hygiene home to
every individual who
comes to Winthrop.
“We are encouraging patients to
ask us whether we've
washed our hands, added
Mr. Flaherty. “More importantly,
we want family and
friends who visit Winthrop
to participate in a process
that will protect them and
their loved ones every day
of the hospital stay.
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