kids first a publication of schneider children’s hospital +

kids first
Summer 2009
a publication of schneider children’s hospital
+
INSIDE: Saving Lives in the NICU I Trauma Center I Truth or Fiction?
saving lives Just as They Begin
O
ne-year-old
Emily Polevikov
is an active,
healthy little girl. But her
life could have turned out
very differently. Lack of
oxygen during a difficult
delivery left Emily in a
semiconscious state at birth
and at serious risk for brain
damage. She was rushed to
Schneider Children’s
Hospital’s Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit
(NICU). There, she received
a unique and complex therapy called selective brain
cooling to reduce her chance
of brain damage. The result?
A normal life.
Emily’s situation was rare.
But the pain and fear her parents felt during
that time is shared by the hundreds of families whose babies require care from
Schneider Children’s Hospital’s NICU each
year. Thankfully, the NICU is one of the
largest and most advanced programs in the
United States. It holds the highest designation by the state to care for the sickest and
most premature babies.
“The NICU’s primary mission is to
provide outstanding, state-of-the-art,
compassionate care to our patients,”
explained Dennis Davidson, MD, director
of neonatal services. “Schneider Children’s
Hospital provides all the advanced therapies
a baby could need.”
Emily with her parents,
Sergei Polevikov and Maryna
Arystava, and her big sister,
Britanny Polevikov.
special heart/lung bypass
machine for babies, providing lifesaving breathing
assistance when other
options have failed;
◾ cardiac surgery;
◾ selective brain cooling —
a process of bringing down a
baby’s body temperature to
prevent brain damage; and
◾ high-frequency transport
ventilation — advanced
breathing assistance for babies with critical
The NICU recently expanded its capacity lung problems who need transport to
with a new, state-of-the-art, 24-bed unit.
Schneider Children’s Hospital’s NICU for
With this new unit, the NICU can now care specialized services such as ECMO.
for close to 68 babies at one time.
“Our experience was very hard to live
“The new unit focuses on family-centered through. We didn’t know what was going to
care. It’s designed to increase the comfort
happen to our daughter,” explained Sergei
and meet the needs of our patients and
Polevikov, Emily’s father. “At those
their families,” said Betty May, RN, nurse
moments, there’s nothing you can do but
manager of the NICU. “But it also allows
just trust in the professionalism and care of
the staff to maximize care and safety. The
your doctors. Today, no one would know
entire NICU staff works together as a team what Emily went through.” °
for the best patient outcomes.”
Some advanced services provided by
the NICU include:
Looking for a pediatrician?
◾ ECMO (extracorporeal membrane
Please call 1 (888) 321-DOCS or check out
oxygenation) — a technique that uses a
www.SchneiderChildrensHospital.org.
Under the Sea — But Not Soaked!
Kids love “swimming” with colorful magnetic fish in the underwater
world found in Schneider Children’s Hospital’s hematology/oncology
waiting room. The custom-designed mural brings a touch of summer
year-round, thanks to the Discover the Smile Foundation, which focuses
on transforming pediatric healthcare facilities into lively, child-friendly
surroundings. “We chose the aquarium theme for its relaxing qualities,”
said Lisa Martin, president and founder of Discover the Smile. The motif
is carried over into the hematology/oncology inpatient unit.
2
kids first
I Summer 2009
ca inc.
kids’ wellness
The Skinny on
Childhood Obesity
Real men
FACT:
Young males — fathers
and mom’s boyfriends —
account for 67 percent of
shaken baby syndrome
have a soft touch!
Never Shake a Baby!
This message is sponsored by Schneider Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s Cares for Kids
For more information go to www.SchneiderChildrensHospital.org
Free Wireless
Service
Patients and visitors at North ShoreLIJ Health System facilities can
As your children grow out of the
toddler years, excess weight can
become a serious concern —
perhaps putting them at risk for some
very grown-up health problems.
Consider these facts and figures:
• Over the past three decades,
the childhood obesity rate has
more than tripled.
• Today, nearly one-third of
children and teens are overweight
and about 16 percent are obese.
• Children with a high body mass
index (BMI) are more likely to
have enlarged hearts, putting
them at risk for heart disease.
• According to one study, 60 percent of obese children have at
least one heart disease risk factor.
• Type 2 diabetes, previously seen
mostly in adults, is now common
among children. Experts believe
childhood obesity is the cause.
Eating Right
Focus on providing nutritious
meals and snacks and teaching
healthy food choices. That means:
• cutting out snacks with little
nutritional value, like potato chips
and sweets;
• offering whole-grain crackers,
low-fat cheese, yogurt, fruit and
vegetables; and
• limiting soda and sugary fruit
drinks and serving skim milk or
water instead.
Get Them Moving
Doctors recommend children exercise 60 minutes a day most days
of the week.
e-mail loved ones or surf the Net
for free, thanks to the new Guest
Wireless Program. Wireless Web
access is available for mobile
devices like laptop computers and
personal digital assistants (PDAs).
For tips on healthy eating, visit
the National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestives and Kidney Disease
Web site at www.win.niddk.nih.gov
and search for Helping Your
Overweight Child.
www.SchneiderChildrensHospital.org
3
sch welcomes new leadership
F
ew individuals have had a greater
impact on pediatrics in the New York
area than Philip Lanzkowsky, MD.
After heading Schneider Children’s Hospital
(SCH) for 25 years, Dr. Lanzkowsky recently
retired as the hospital’s executive director and
chief of staff. He now serves as a consultant
to lay the groundwork for the expansion of
the children’s hospital and the creation of the
Hofstra School of Medicine in partnership
with the North Shore-LIJ Health System.
Succeeding Dr. Lanzkowsky is Arthur
Klein, MD. As senior vice president
of children’s services and chief of staff
at SCH, Dr. Klein is responsible for
the quality and growth of the children’s
services line, including all
pediatric programs and services, both
inpatient and ambulatory. Dr. Klein comes
to North Shore-LIJ after serving as senior
vice president and chief physician officer at
Lifespan Corporation of Providence, RI.
Well known among New York’s leaders in
pediatric medicine, Dr. Klein served at New
York Presbyterian Hospital as executive vice
president and chief operating officer of the
New York Presbyterian Healthcare System.
As SCH’s new executive director,
Chantal Weinhold oversees day-to-day
operations. Ms. Weinhold brings many
years of leadership experience to SCH
that will complement and enhance its
future growth. Most recently the executive
director of The Zucker
Hillside Hospital, she was
instrumental in developing
that hospital’s strategic plan,
focused on further enhancing
clinical service delivery. Her
administrative career has also
included roles as associate
director for business program
management at SCH, director
of ambulatory care services at
North Shore University
Hospital, assistant vice
president for ambulatory
services at Beth Israel Medical
Center in Manhattan and
On left: Arthur Klein, MD, senior vice president of
corporate compliance officer
children’s services and chief of staff
for the North Shore-LIJ
On right: Chantal Weinhold, executive director
Health System. °
SCH Aids Nationwide
Pediatric Care
Efforts
Schneider Children’s Hospital is
working under the radar to improve
patient care in its Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit (PICU) — and critical care
for kids nationwide. Under the direction
of Peter Silver, MD, associate chair of
critical care, the hospital has joined the
National Association of Children’s
Hospitals and Related Institutions’
Bloodstream Infection Collaborative to
reduce PICU infections. The effort is
“exceptionally effective at improving
care,” according to the American Board
of Pediatrics.
We’re Here for You!
Need immediate help for your child?
Go to Schneider Children’s Hospital’s
walk-in UrgiCenter Monday through
Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight,
and weekends 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Please call (516/718) 470-3800.
www.SchneiderChildrensHospital.org
4
When the Unexpected Happens:
sch can turn trauma into triumph
W
hen 15-year-old Gabriel Aquilar
went skateboarding with his
friends one day last October, he
didn’t know that it could be his last.
Gabriel, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was
hit by a car and rushed to a local hospital.
Swelling in his brain prevented him from
breathing on his own and his leg was fractured. Due to the severity of his injuries,
Gabriel was transferred to Schneider
Children’s Hospital (SCH) for care.
The Regional Trauma Center at Schneider
Children’s Hospital is the busiest pediatric
trauma center on Long Island. It was created
to provide immediate and expert care for children involved in traumatic accidents. When a
call comes in that an injured child — like
Gabriel — is arriving, the in-house pediatric
trauma team springs into action immediately.
“As a designated, regional pediatric trauma
center, we have dedicated resources and
specific processes in place to quickly care for
children with traumatic injuries,” explained
George Berry, PA-C, pediatric trauma coordinator. “It’s like a well-oiled machine.”
safe kids at sch
As a pediatric trauma center,
Schneider Children’s Hospital not
only treats traumatic injuries, but
works to prevent them. The hospital
is a member of the Queens and
Nassau Safe Kids Coalitions, led by
the North Shore-LIJ Health System.
This group is dedicated to preventing accidental childhood injuries.
One goal of Safe Kids is to educate children and parents about the
importance of wearing a helmet
while bike riding, skateboarding or
roller skating. Studies show that
wearing a helmet during wheeled
sports can reduce the risk of brain
injury by as much as 88 percent.
To get tips on preventing injuries,
visit www.SafeKids.org.
5
kids first
I Summer 2009
Around-the-Clock Readiness
All members of the trauma team are in
the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a
week and are ready at a moment’s notice
to care for an injured child. They
include a pediatric-focused:
◾ surgeon;
◾ anesthesiologist;
◾ respiratory therapist;
◾ critical care doctor;
◾ emergency medicine doctor; and
◾ intensive care nurse.
“Schneider Children’s Hospital is
unique in that we have five full-time
pediatric surgeons. At least one is available in the hospital at all times,” said Mr.
Berry. “That is significant because the first
hour after a traumatic injury is critical.
Having a surgeon on-site saves lives.”
Child-Focused Expertise
Dedicated trauma team members handle all
trauma cases — from car accidents to gunshot
wounds. But they are supported by a wide
range of pediatric specialists, who are called
when needed. Pediatric specialists cover such
disciplines as neurosurgery, urology, vascular
surgery, radiology, plastic surgery and more.
“Each physician is specially trained in
treating the unique needs of children,” said
Mr. Berry. “Children are not small adults.
They respond much differently to trauma
and require specialized care.”
Care That Makes a Difference
Gabriel stayed at Schneider Children’s
Hospital for more than two weeks. Half that
time was spent in the Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit (PICU) — the area of the hospital
that cares for the sickest children. Gabriel
was on a respirator and in serious condition.
Gabriel Aquilar is back to normal after a
devastating car accident, thanks to the care
he received at the Regional Trauma Center.
However, doctors were able to reduce the
swelling in Gabriel’s brain with medication.
This allowed him to breathe again on his
own. Specially trained pediatric orthopedic
surgeons also took Gabriel to the operating
room and, under general anesthesia, set
several fractures in his lower leg. With
therapy, Gabriel made a full recovery.
“I don’t remember much about the
accident or my time in the hospital,” said
Gabriel. “But I know that I’m all right now.
I’m back hanging out with my friends and
living a normal life.” °
Need Info on
Childhood Diseases?
Schneider Children’s Hospital’s Web site includes a
children’s health library as well as information on patient
services, programs, physicians and other resources.
Check out www.SchneiderChildrensHospital.org.
kids first
Michael Dowling
President and CEO
North Shore-LIJ Health System
Arthur Klein, MD
Sr. VP, Children’s Services
Chief of Staff
Chantal Weinhold
Executive Director
NORTH SHORE-LONG ISLAND
JEWISH HEALTH SYSTEM INC.
Schneider Children’s Hospital
269-01 76th Avenue
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
NSLIJHS
Terry Lynam
VP, Public Relations
Maria Conforti
Publications Editor
Kids First is published by Schneider Children’s Hospital. The information is
intended to inform and educate about subjects pertinent to health, not as a
substitute for consultation with a personal physician. Produced by StayWell
Custom Communications, Evanston, IL. © 2009. Printed in the U.S.A.
New GREEN subscription option!
To switch your newsletter subscription to e-mail, send
your e-mail and mailing address to KidsFirst@nshs.
edu with “green” in the subject line.
Need to find a doctor? 1-888-321-DOCS
why schneider
children’s hospital?
+ Our Community’s Only
Children’s Hospital
It’s a convenient, central location for
your child’s medical, surgical, dental,
psychiatric and educational needs.
+ International Recognition
All staff is specially trained in pediatrics.
The hospital’s specialists and patients
come here from all over the world.
+ educational center
Access our Web page for a wealth of
information about childhood diseases.
+ Positive learning experience
Our playrooms, school, Clown Program,
Pet Therapy Program, Art Program and
Music Program make the hospital
experience a positive one.
+ On the cutting edge
State-of-the-art equipment, technology
and innovative protocols are
designed specifically for children.
+ In your backyard
Satellite treatment centers provide
specialists close to home in Commack,
Hewlett, Flushing, Brooklyn and
Manhattan.
+ we trained your doctors
Doctors come here from all over the
country for valuable training.
+ innovative research
Ongoing, up-to-the-minute research on
children ensures leading-edge care.
www.SchneiderChildrensHospital.org
SCH Expert Separates
truth from fiction
I
f you think raw carrots improve a
child’s vision or applying ice to a burn
is the best solution — think again.
Unfortunately, there is an abundance of
erroneous or misleading information like
this that can make parenting decisions particularly difficult. Sometimes, ignorance of
children’s health needs can even have
deadly consequences.
“I’ve always been troubled by the extent
parents rely on hearsay or misinformation
to care for their children when they’re
sick,” said Andrew Adesman, MD, chief
of child development at Schneider
Children’s Hospital, noting that the
problem is exacerbated by questionable
health “facts” found online. He added, “I
am even more disturbed by the results of
a recent survey of pediatricians showing
that many of them cannot distinguish
between fact and fiction.”
To help guide parents through the
myths and confusion of child-rearing,
Dr. Adesman wrote BabyFacts: The
Truth About Your Child’s Health From
Newborn Through Preschool (John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.).
The new book covers a range of infant,
toddler and preschooler issues, including
breastfeeding, growth and development,
accident prevention, sleep habits, food
allergies and childhood illnesses.
BabyFacts identifies and clarifies many
of the deep-rooted beliefs that are often
Eating carrots may be healthy, but they
won’t improve your child’s vision.
received as conventional wisdom or
well-intentioned advice from notable
sources — such as the Internet, parenting
organizations, friends and family members
— and explains all sides of the issues,
providing answers to commonly conflicted
information. °
To take the “Myth or Fact?” quiz
or to learn more, go to www.BabyFacts.com.
Printed on Recyclable Paper
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