RIDGEWOOD — Imagine you’re strolling down the congested hallway of a hospital, barely paying any mind to strangers passing by, when shots ring out just feet in front of you.
Do you find the nearest room and take cover? Do you run from the deafening noise, looking for an exit?
A group of 40 people were forced to make that split-second decision Friday morning as part of a training exercise that was staged inside The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
Representatives from the Ohio-based ALICE Training Institute promoted a more proactive response in these situations than just hiding and waiting for police to arrive.
People scattered when a blond woman, armed with a gun, emerged from an auditorium Friday recklessly firing off shots in the form of yellow plastic pellets. The screech of an air horn accompanied each of her shots.
Men and women darted out of sight. Some disappeared down adjacent corridors while others ducked into conference rooms where, within seconds, they had the lights turned off and the doors barricaded.
The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, is one of only 182 hospitals nationwide that have received straight A’s for patient safety in seven consecutive score reports.
29-Apr-2015 11:05 AM EDT
Ridgewood NJ, For the seventh consecutive time, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, has been recognized for its dedication to patient safety by being awarded an A grade in the Spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital. The hospital is also being recognized as a “Straight A’s” hospital, as it has never received a grade lower than an A from the Hospital Safety Score since the Score first launched in June 2012.
Hospitals nationwide received Hospital Safety Scores of A, B, C, D, or F based on how well they protect patients accidents, errors, injuries and infections. The Hospital Safety Score report was released today by The Leapfrog Group, an independent, national not-for-profit organization of employer purchasers of health care.
Of the more than 2,500 general hospitals issued a safety score in the Leapfrog report, only 782 — roughly the top 31 percent — received an A in this round. Valley is one of only 182 hospitals nationwide that have received straight A’s in all seven reporting periods since 2012.
“We are pleased and proud to once again receive an “A” for patient safety, and particularly proud to be among the select group of ‘Straight A’s’ hospitals” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This top grade is a reflection and a result of our longstanding focus on and commitment to patient safety and quality care.”
“The Valley Hospital’s achievement of Straight A’s validates its achievement in preventing harm within the hospital, and we are proud to recognize the efforts of the care providers and staff,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, which administers the Hospital Safety Score.
To see Valley’s full score, and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visitwww.hospitalsafetyscore.org or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Ridgewood NJ, which includes The Valley Hospital, Valley Medical Group and Valley Home Care — is using both services to simplify appointment scheduling for patients. Valley Medical Group (VMG) has partnered with ZocDoc to offer online appointment scheduling for select physicians. The Valley Hospital Emergency Department offers InQuicker to allow patients with non-life-threating medical conditions to browse and select a treatment time in advance of arriving at the hospital.
ZocDoc gives patients a simple, convenient way to book a doctor’s appointment at any time, even when the doctor’s office is closed. Appointments can be made with VMG physicians in the following specialties: primary care, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and dermatology. To use this free service, visit www.ValleyMedicalGroup.com and click on the “Book an Appointment” button, or download the ZocDoc app.
“At Valley Medical Group, we are committed to increasing access to our physicians and services and enhancing the patient experience,” said Marc Goldstein, President of VMG. “By offering the option of scheduling medical appointments online with select VMG physicians, we are providing better access to quality care and making the process of scheduling an appointment much more convenient for our patients.”
InQuicker allows patients to browse, select, and lock in a treatment time in Valley’s adult or pediatric Emergency Departments online at www.ValleyHealth.com. Simply click on the ED Check-In Online button at the top of the page and complete a few simple online steps to book a treatment time. The ED is sent a notification with details about the patient and the time selection. A triage nurse then reviews the information and sends a real-time confirmation via phone or e-mail to the patient.
“Knowing their treatment time allows patients to wait comfortably at home before coming to the hospital for care,” said Chris Robertson, Director of Valley’s Emergency Department. “The service has been very well-received by our patients who have used it.”
By Kathleen O’Brien | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on April 21, 2015 at 7:38 AM, updated April 21, 2015 at 1:22 PM
The federal government recently debuted an online tool that lets consumers compare the patient experience at hospitals around the country through its “star” ratings.
A quick stroll through the spreadsheet shows that New Jersey has not a single five-star hospital. It has four four-star hospitals (Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Deborah Heart & Lung Center in Browns Mills, Virtua West Jersey Hospitals, Berlin, and Inspira Medical Center in Elmer), while the other 58 facilities get just one, two or three stars.
By contrast, the good people of Iowa are blessed with 11 five-star hospitals.
And the world-renowned Mayo Clinic gets only four stars.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services unveiled its star system for rating hospital patient experience, based on patients’ ratings of a hospital’s cleanliness, communication from staff, and attentiveness to patients, and whether it was sufficiently quiet at night.
Those attributes, while admirable, are not necessarily the same as what goes into to providing top-notch care, said David Knowlton of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.
RIDGEWOOD, N.J., As part of an innovative program aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital stays, teams comprised of a paramedic, critical care nurse and EMT have begun making house calls on heart patients soon after their discharge from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.
Readers says ; Valley Hospital A community hospital that sues the community it is serving https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-says-valley-hospital-a-community-hospital-that-sues-the-community-it-is-serving/Ridgewood NJ, One can only wonder ,how could such a well financed hospital so poorly execute on its expansion plans and fall pry to one PR disaster after another? Did someone whisper in the ear of the trustees to make them think that at the end of the day Valleys political friends would come through . After all since Valley began pursuing its expansion , HUMC has purchased Pascack Valley , expanded dramatically its foot print and made deals with many of Valleys competitors ?
It all started with the so called Pfund’s Folly, i.e. Ordinance 3066 !!! In the very least repeal the Chapter § 190-143 ( here https://ecode360.com/6694062 ) that allow for applications to amend the Master Plan. Application to Village Council or Planning Board.Any interested party may request that an amendment or amendments be made to the Village Master Plan or development regulations. The request(s) shall be made to the Village Council and/or the Village Planning Board.
As we now know Mayor Pfund was a personal donor to Valley Hospital until 2006, his law firm (Reiseman, Rosenberg & Pfund, LLP) listed Valley hospital as one of its clients on their website until the listing mysteriously disappeared, Pfund’s father has willed part of his estate to Valley after he dies! Yet Pfund has not rescued himself from the considering the H-Zone issue? Others on the Planning Board have for less association.” https://theridgewoodblog.net/because-this-comes-up-over-and-over/
Whats seems odd to most readers is that after a thorough review and denial the previous council Mayor Aronsohn pledged over and over that he would once again .
Even the Ridgewood News commented , “Last Tuesday’s non-partisan election that ousted one of two Village Council incumbents has left residents questioning what the new mix of leaders will bring to the table regarding The Valley Hospital’s proposed expansion plan — an issue considered dormant since last year. Mayor Keith Killion, who voted against the $750 million plan to double the size of the hospital, lost his bid on Tuesday for one of three four-year seats up for grabs on the council. The new council could revisit the vote, because a change in the master plan that could permit the expansion still exists.https://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/151331565_Election_opens_questions_on_hospital_plan.html
Which led to Valley resubmitting the expansion plan with no changes from the previous submission.
So what is the case have our political leaders willingly mislead Valley in the hopes of reaping benefits from Valley’s support or has Valley controlled the narrative or as some would say undermined the political process to continue to push its highly unpopular agenda ?
Repeal Pfund’s Folly, i.e. Ordinance 3066 !!! In the very least repeal the Chapter § 190-143 ( here https://ecode360.com/6694062 ) that allow for applications to amend the Master Plan. Application to Village Council or Planning Board.Any interested party may request that an amendment or amendments be made to the Village Master Plan or development regulations. The request(s) shall be made to the Village Council and/or the Village Planning Board.
Valley Health System Joins the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Specialty Network
April 1 ,2015
11:00 AM
RIDGEWOOD, NJ, Valley Health System today announced an affiliation with Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute. This affiliation combines the academic, clinical, and research components of the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute with one of the New York/New Jersey area’s leading regional cardiac care providers. Under the agreement, the systems will share best practices, coordinate care and develop programs to improve quality and patient safety.
The Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic has been ranked No. 1 in heart care by U.S. News & World Report for20 consecutive years.
“We could not be more proud that Cleveland Clinic has selected Valley Health System to be a regional cardiovascular affiliate,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This affiliation with Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute will further enhance Valley’s cardiac care program, which is already recognized as one of the best in the area.”
“Treating patients with cardiovascular disease is complex, and as new techniques and technologies come to the forefront it’s important to deliver these new innovations quickly to patients,” said Joseph Cacchione, M.D., Cardiologist and Chairman of Operations and Strategy at Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute. “Valley Health System’s cardiac program has a nationally recognized reputation and we are proud to affiliate with Valley to help further advance cardiac care in this region.”
“Valley already has a team of excellent surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and other clinical staff. They have developed one of the region’s leading cardiac programs,” said cardiologist Gerald Sotsky, M.D., Chair of Cardiac Services for Valley Medical Group. “Affiliating with Cleveland Clinic’s world-renowned program and clinical specialists will allow us to advance our program to a level traditionally found at only a handful of facilities in the country.”
Through this affiliation, Valley Health System becomes a member of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Specialty Network. The Network is designed to accept patients from Cleveland Clinic’s Cardiovascular Program for Advanced Medical Care, which gives employers a means to provide high-quality care to employees by facilitating access to Cleveland Clinic for specific services. The Cardiovascular Specialty Network allows employers to offer their employees Cleveland Clinic-caliber heart care close to home.
“I am honored to be included in the Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute’s extended family,” said Alex Zapolanski, M.D., Director of Cardiac Surgery at Valley. “I believe this affiliation offers an opportunity to further advance our programs, and to continue learning from the world-class care provided by the Cleveland Clinic.”
Valley’s heart care has received the following recognitions:
• Listed among the top 15 hospitals in the nation for heart surgery in the August 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine;
• Named one America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery™ for 3 Years in a Row (2012-2014) by Healthgrades
• Received Healthgrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award™ for 5 Years in a Row (2010-2014);
• Earned Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification for acute myocardial infarction and heart failure and
• Consistently earned three-star ratings — The Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ highest designation of quality and clinical excellence — for cardiac bypass surgery, aortic valve replacement surgery, and the combination of the two procedures.
Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News
2:47 AM, Mar 31, 2015
4 hours ago
New designs, though, can be expensive. After Valley Hospital of Ridgewood, N.J., switched to pajamas and gowns that provide extra coverage, costs went up $70,000 per year, said Leonard Guglielmo, the facility’s chief supply chain officer, because the new garments cost more to buy and maintain.
Whether a patient is in the hospital for an organ transplant, an appendectomy or to have a baby, one complaint is common: the gown.
You know the one. It might as well have been stitched together with paper towels and duct tape, and it usually leaves the wearer’s behind hanging out.
“You’re at the hospital because something’s wrong with you – you’re vulnerable – then you get to wear the most vulnerable garment ever invented to make the whole experience that much worse,” said Ted Streuli, who lives in Edmond, Okla., and has had to wear hospital gowns on multiple occasions.
Put another way: “They are horrible. They are demeaning. They are belittling. They are disempowering,” said Camilla McRory of Olney, Md.
The gowns are among the most vexing parts of being in the hospital. But if efforts by some health systems are an indicator, the design may be on its way out of style.
Reader asks I would like to know if Councilman Pucciarelli and Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck recused themselves from that closed session discussion on Valley
RULES FOR SOME BUT NOT FOR OTHERS ?
I would like to know if Councilman Pucciarelli and councilwoman Gwenn Hauck recused themselves from that closed session discussion on Valley. After all, Mr Pucciarelli stated during his campaign several times that he would recuse himself if Valley came to the council. In fact, he was very upset that one of his running mates, Russ Forenza, did not disclose his wife’s affiliation with Valley and therefore, Russ would have to recuse himself if he won a seat on council.
The Village Manager was so concerned whether Councilwoman Susan Knudsen should recuse herself from the (Residency) discussion because Susan had relatives on the current police or fire list that she informed Mr. Roger who then suggested to Susan that she recuse herself even though it plainly stated that they were not going to discuss police or fire. When question about this at an open meeting Mr. Roger said something to the effect that you never know were these discussion lead to. Whats changed? If these two did not recuse themselves then how do we know that Valley Hospital maybe privy to inside information. Our Mayor should have know that this would be a hot button item and for transparency reasons he could have made an announcement prior to going into closed session that these two would not attend. I get it .They are just to busy taking care of the chamber and the developers that they don’t have time for civility or transparency
Attorneys debate whether Valley Hospital exhausted all remedies
MARCH 27, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Oral arguments in the Valley Hospital lawsuit against the Village of Ridgewood and its Planning Board began last Thursday with the village’s motion to dismiss, but attendees were left with a cliffhanger until mid-April when additional issues can be briefed and may be argued.
The lawsuit comes after the Planning Board rejected Valley’s latest expansion proposal, which sought to nearly double the size of the hospital and would require years of construction in an otherwise residential neighborhood.
The June 2014 decision came after Valley successfully applied for a master plan amendment in 2010 at the Planning Board level, only to have the proposal rejected by the Village Council in 2011.
Reader says There are many REAL charities that need financial support
$1,974,909 – Audrey Meyers President and CEO, Valley Hospital, Ridgewood Another leader of a single hospital in hospital-rich Bergen County, Meyers is again the only woman to make this list
Unfortunately many charities give grossly high salaries to their employees and the generous donations pay for that instead of research.
Don.t forget the “lustgarden foundation, curepc ” that spends 100% of the donations seeking a cure for pancreatic cancer, anyone could get it and it kills 95% of the victims so it’s a worthy cause. Anybody could get it and it kills you quick
There are many REAL charities that need financial support. Go to CharityWatch.org to see listings by category.
GENERAL
ALS Association B+
American Brain Tumor Association A-
American Kidney Fund A+
American Liver Foundation A
American Red Cross A
American Sexual Health Association A
City of Hope A-
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America A
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Reader states Why on earth doesn’t the Village ask Valley for a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) is beyond me
Why on earth doesn’t the Village ask Valley for a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) is beyond me… all Valley does is present ridiculous expansion plans based on ordinance 3066 -which former Mayor Pfund passed to allow them to apply for exceptions to the Village Master Plan – then waste Villagers time and money, and then sue us. Then they pay their CEO $2 million a year for running a single hospital – whereas the others on that list run hosital systems – and they can’t even pay their fair share of the costs for Villages services including Police, Fire, EMT, sanitation, snow removal, road and pothole repair, etc. Some non-profit that is, they’re a bad neighbor.
Reader says Community Hospitals Do Not sue the Community they Serve
Three lies by the current Valley Board and Audrey at odds with the fact that they are suing the Village of Ridgewood:
1) Ethics – They say, “We are honest and fair in all we say and do.” Suing the community that built and funded Valley is honest and fair?
2) The Valley Hospital Mission Statement – “The Valley Hospital serves the community…” – see above
3) According to https://www.valleyhospitalfoundation.org/who-we-are-auxiliary-70th-anniversary“Since 1951, The Valley Hospital has existed to care for the people of our community when they need it most. The Valley Hospital opened its doors on August 8, 1951 thanks to the 450 charter members of the Women’s Auxiliary of The Valley Hospital who helped to raise $140,000, enough to fully furnish and equip a new three-floor hospital thanks to their “Third Floor Drive”. The Valley Hospital opened its doors on August 8, 1951 in Ridgewood.” How is that consistent with Valley suing the Village? Audrey is clearly only in it for the money. She should resign post haste.
Audrey Meyers President and CEO, Valley Hospital, Ridgewood New Jersey’s 9th highest-paid hospital executive
Meanwhile Audrey just made #9 on the list of New Jersey’s 10 Top-Paid Hospital Executives here https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/03/23/the-list-names-and-numbers-new-jersey-s-10-top-paid-hospital-executives/ $1,974,909 for leading a single hospital in hospital-rich Bergen County… and for suing the Village of Ridgewood ! The List: Names and Numbers — New Jersey’s 10 Top-Paid Hospital Executives
Andrew Kitchenman | March 23, 2015
Once again, seven top execs on the list pull down more than $2 million in compensation
New Jersey’s highest-paid hospital executives have had a busy two years since the last time NJ Spotlight compiled this list — and the busiest execs have seen the sharpest pay increases.
Seven executives received more than $2 million in total compensation in 2013, the latest available data. That was the same number as the most recent NJ Spotlight list, which was based on 2011 information.
The List: Best-Compensated Nonprofit Hospital Executives
Merger of Two Hospitals Could Increase Quality, But Also Concentrate Power
New Medical School Will Strive to Entice Graduates to Stay in New Jersey
Three of the top four executives worked for Hackensack University Medical Center and Meridian Health System, which have proposed a merger to create the state’s largest system.
This list only includes nonprofit executives, whose compensation is available on the 990 forms required from all nonprofits
9. $1,974,909 – Audrey Meyers President and CEO, Valley Hospital, Ridgewood Another leader of a single hospital in hospital-rich Bergen County, Meyers is again the only woman to make this list.
