>2010 Hospital Performance Report: Hackensack University Medical Center and The Valley Hospital – have higher than expected rates of central-line associated bloodstream infections
State releases hospital performance reports Friday, January 14, 2011 BY LINDY WASHBURN THE RECORD STAFF WRITER
The state issued its 2010 Hospital Performance Report today, including information for each hospital about patient safety, the quality of care provided and – for the first time – the rate of hospital-acquired infections among patients.
The new information shows that two hospitals in North Jersey – Hackensack University Medical Center and The Valley Hospital – have higher than expected rates of central-line associated bloodstream infections, while Englewood Hospital Medical Center has a lower than expected rate.
These infections occur when bacteria or other germs travel down a “central line” such as a catheter used to administer medicine, and enter the blood. They are very difficult to treat, and are fatal in 12 to 25 percent of cases.
>Week of January 17 – Sanitation – If new snow…garbage to the curb
Monday, January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday- No sanitation collection
Tuesday, January 18th – West Side sanitation collection; Recycle Area 1
Wednesday, January 19th – East side sanitation collection; Recycle Area 2
Thursday, January 20th -West Side sanitation collection; Recycling Area 3
Friday, January 21th – East Side sanitation collection; Recycling Area 4
There will be no bulk pick up due to the holiday.
Normal rear yard garbage should resume provided we do not get the storm which is predicted for Monday night into Tuesday requiring sanitation collection at the curb.
The hardships of winter weather have been proven to raise anxiety and stress levels. For fast-relief from the winter blues, cruise it before you lose it.
The choice is yours…
Choose SIMPLICITY without sacrificing VALUE. Upfront, affordable prices include pre-paid room, transportation, entertainment, and all-inclusive dining.
Choose ROMANCE, including secluded beaches, en suite dining, and spa treatment for two.
Choose FAMILY FUN with a variety of activities ranging from kids’ clubs and rock climbing to casinos and night clubs.
Choose CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare that showcases exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice-cream, or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative.
Choose NEW HORIZONS beyond the snow covered streets of Ridgewood. Over 150 distinctive ships and 1,800 ports of call offer an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do.
As Winter Breaks approach, choose to CRUISE. But don’t forget your most important choice of all, the choice to speak to a travel professional at THE TRAVEL CENTER in Ridgewood.
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The Travel Center/American Express 50 E. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 447-3311 [email protected]
>Nanny State: NJ Politician Proposes License Plates For Bicycles
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – If a proposed bill becomes law in New Jersey, bicyclists will have to pay to register bikes or face a fine.
The bill, introduced by Democratic New Jersey assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker of Essex, requires owners to register bikes with the Motor Vehicle Commission for $10 dollars a piece or face fines up to $100. A license plate would be issued and will have to be displayed when riding on public roads. Plates would be valid for two years.
John Boyle with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is against the proposed bill.
A large number of New Jersey mayors say they plan to seek sharing services with other towns or their school districts or county governments in an attempt to meet the new state law that requires them to keep annual property tax hikes at no more than 2 percent. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
>Superior Court : N.J. must prove sufficient school funding
New Jersey must show that its current level of school funding is sufficient to provide the “thorough and efficient” education required by the state constitution, according to a Superior Court ruling released Thursday. (Giordano, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>Illinois raises taxes – N.J. hopes to lure its business
Watch out, Illinois: New Jersey wants your businesses.
It is a time-honored tradition for mayors and governors of neighboring cities and states to compete for large corporations with tax breaks and other incentives. (Pérez-Peña, The New York Times)
>New Jersey agency’s borrowing costs as state scales back sale: Muni credit
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority scaled back the week’s largest bond offering as tax- exempt municipal yields climbed and Governor Chris Christie made comments about the state’s financial well-being. (McGrail, Bloomberg)
>Christie vows to close failing schools, open new charters
Governor Christie pledged Thursday to close failing schools, open new charter schools and consider concentrating the state’s resources for students with autism in schools whose programs already stand out. (Akin, The Record)
>Gov. Christie pushes five-year performance review for teachers
Gov. Chris Christie, who wants to scrap teacher tenure, today said he would like a system that reviews teacher performance every five years.
Christie suggested placing teachers on five-year contracts. When a contract expires, the teacher’s performance would be reviewed and decision would be made whether to renew for another five years, he said today at a town hall meeting in Paramus. (Gibson, The Star-Ledger)
>Christie proposes health care cost increase for public workers
Gov. Chris Christie proposed significantly higher health insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of public workers in New Jersey on Thursday, saying overly generous benefits are threatening to bankrupt the system. (Delli Santi for The Associated Press)
All are invited to participate in this inspirational event!
29th ANNUAL RIDGEWOOD & GLEN ROCK DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. OBSERVANCE Monday, January 17, 2011 at United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey. “Working FOR THE COMMON GOOD” – 10:00 A.M. Interfaith Service Reverend Dr. George W. Maize,III Pastor, Metropolitan AME Zion Church – Outdoor Rally and luncheon. – 1:00 P.M. Fellowship Program will feature Yvonne Smith Segars, who has served as New Jersey’s Public Defender since 2002.
>Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., said he’s waiting to see the SEC’s study on the need for a SRO’s for advisers
House subcommittee chairman sees merits of SROs, fiduciary standard
But Garrett waiting to read SEC’s reports on both before taking a position Mark Schoeff Jr. January 11, 2011
The new chairman of a House subcommittee with jurisdiction over investment adviser issues is holding his fire on two crucial questions effecting the industry — until he reads upcoming reports addressing the topics.
Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., said he’s waiting to see the Securities and Exchange Commission’s study on the need for a self-regulatory organization for advisers — as well as the commission’s report on the efficacy of a universal fiduciary duty for retail investment advice — before taking a firm position on either.
Despite holding off until getting the reports, which are both due this month, Mr. Garrett indicated that SROs have a track record of success.
“I do see them as positive forces … having worked effectively in other areas,” Mr. Garrett, chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, said in an interview with InvestmentNews on Jan. 6. “They hold merit.”
If the SEC recommends an adviser SRO, it will have to be authorized by Congress. The SRO report must be delivered to the appropriate House and Senate committees by Jan. 17.
The fiduciary-duty study, which will assess the differences in oversight of investment advisers and broker-dealers, and any gaps in regulation, is due Jan. 21. The SEC can then write a rule establishing a universal standard of care for retail investment advice.
>Former Judge to AZ Sheriff: ‘Shut Up Before You Do Any More Damage to the Prosecution’s Case’
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 By Nicholas Ballasy Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)
(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Louis Gohmert (R.-Texas), a former prosecutor and judge and a current member of the House Judiciary Committee, is offering some advice to Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who has gained national attention since Saturday for his suggestions that radio and television talk shows were somehow responsible for the shooting attack in Tucson that took the lives of 6 people and wounded 14 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Says Rep. Gohmert to the sheriff: “Shut up before you do any more damage to the prosecution’s case.”
>The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (CRR) is pleased to announce that Pete McKenna has been elected as the new President
Paul Gould Moves to Texas in Career Relocation
Ridgewood, NJ – January 11, 2011. The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (CRR) is pleased to announce that Pete McKenna has been elected as the new President of CRR, a grassroots non-profit organization committed to maintaining the residential character and the quality of life of the village of Ridgewood, and announces that Paul Gould, president to date of the organization, will be moving to Texas in a career re-location. Mr. McKenna is well qualified to take on this role as an 18-year village resident who has worked closely with Mr. Gould and other CRR members to keep Ridgewood a resident-friendly community since Valley Hospital announced its “Renewal” initiative to double its size at its Ridgewood campus.
In accepting his position as elected by the CRR Steering Committee, Mr. McKenna said, “We are thankful for Paul’s commitment, passion and tenacity in supporting the community and protecting the residential character of our village. While the face of our effort has changed, most of the Steering Committee members and key roles remain filled by the people that have actively supported Paul behind the scenes.”
Mr. McKenna expressed confidence in CRR’s membership and committees in carrying out the many aspects of CRR’s current work, including: a court case to overturn the Master Plan Amendment that was passed last June to allow the proposed expansion; opposition to any future ordinance by Village Council that would be required for the expansion to take place; research and fact-finding to support these efforts; attendance at public meetings; continuing communications among residents; and fundraising.
Mr. McKenna will emphasize a continuing push to raise funds within the community to support legal and other professional support needed for this effort, and said he and the Steering Committee are actively seeking support via the “stopvalley.com” website, including through its new PayPal option for donations.
Offering a historical perspective, he said, “While I appreciate that times change, much of what we value in Ridgewood is the result of the hard work and dedication that our predecessors put into the Master Plan and supporting ordinances that focus on keeping Ridgewood primarily zoned for single family residential homes,” Mr. McKenna said.
“I am not anti-Valley, but I think we need to look both at the past and the future to see what is right for Ridgewood relative to Valley’s ambitions. Valley is no longer the community hospital that provided services to an under-served suburb in the 1950’s. It is a major medical delivery company that has a Ridgewood address and some deep present day and historical ties to the community. It’s a shame that the decades of goodwill that were built have been so badly damaged by this process,“ he said.
Mr.McKenna also shared the following about the Master Plan Amendment process culminating last June: “The Planning Board’s process for evaluating the Master Plan Amendment was lengthy without being thorough. The process failed to consider some very important precedents, and not enough critical thinking and challenge of Valley’s assertions were evident from the Planning Board and the experts it hired.”
“I think the Village Council has learned from the Planning Board’s errors and will conduct the ordinance process with a genuine interest in the residents’ concerns,” Mr. McKenna added.
