Mount Sinai Morningside

This week, we honor the incredible work of our Environmental Services team at Mount Sinai Morningside!

Our EVS employees play a crucial role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our patients, staff, and visitors. Their dedication to excellence ensures that our hospital is always at its best.

Thank you to our EVS team for your hard work, attention to detail, and commitment to keeping us safe and healthy. We appreciate everything you do!

🛡️ National Emergency Preparedness Week 🛡️

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them, but being prepared can make all the difference. At Mount Sinai Morningside, we prioritize safety and preparedness to ensure the well-being of our patients and staff.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Know Your Exits: Familiarize yourself with emergency exits and evacuation routes in your home and workplace.
2. Build an Emergency Kit: Include essentials like water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, and important documents.
3. Stay Informed: Sign up for local alerts and have a communication plan with your family in case of an emergency.

For information on how to prepare a kit for you and your family, visit:
https://on.ny.gov/3TeMdqR

Together, we can create a safer community. Let’s stay prepared! 💪

Starting today and for the next week, we celebrate our Health Unit Coordinators! 🎉

Health Unit Coordinators (HUCs) ensure smooth communication, manage patient information, coordinate schedules, and provide essential support to our medical staff. Their dedication keeps our units running efficiently, allowing our healthcare providers to focus on delivering top-notch patient care.

Thank you, HUCs, for your incredible work and commitment. You truly make a difference in the lives of our patients and staff every day! 💙👏

🍅🥕 Eating local in-season produce has so many benefits! Not only are you supporting local farmers, but you're also getting the freshest, most nutrient-packed fruits and veggies. Plus, it's great for the environment! 🌍

Here are some delicious examples:
🍓 Spring: Enjoy fresh strawberries and tender asparagus.
🌽 Summer: Savor juicy tomatoes and sweet corn.
🍎 Fall: Indulge in crisp apples and hearty squash.
🥦 Winter: Relish nutrient-rich kale and vibrant citrus fruits.

Incorporating these into your meals ensures you get the best flavor and maximum health benefits. Start shopping local and in-season today!

Today, on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, Mount Sinai Morningside honors the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous communities around the globe. We stand in solidarity and commitment to respecting and protecting their rights and well-being.

Let's work together to support Indigenous peoples’ health and cultural heritage. Join us in celebrating their invaluable contributions and advocating for their rights today and every day.

Driving under the influence of alcohol continues to be a significant problem in the United States, leading to devastating consequences such as traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 37 people lose their lives every day in alcohol-related crashes, equating to one death every 39 minutes. In 2022, the number of alcohol-impaired driving deaths reached a staggering 13,524.

To avoid this risky behavior, here are some tips to stay safe on the road:

• Take responsibility for your actions as a driver. If you anticipate consuming alcohol, make advanced arrangements for a safe ride home, whether it is through a taxi service or by designating a trusted sober driver.
• Never allow anyone to drive under the influence of alcohol. If you are hosting an event, it is essential to remind your guests to plan for a safe ride home or to ensure they leave with a designated sober driver.
• Do not ride with an impaired driver and always wear a seatbelt.

Let's make our roads safer for everyone!

For the past five years, Mount Sinai Morningside has proudly worn its coveted designation from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as an Age-Friendly Health System, equipping its Acute Care Unit for older adult patients with the broadest set of clinical practices and programs anywhere. Indeed, each fits comfortably within the Institute’s framework of so-called “4Ms”—What Matters, Medications, Mentation, and Mobility—which translates into evidence-based interventions for older adults.

“Our IHI recognition has not only been a source of pride, but of motivation to continue to develop our program in new areas such as more robust performance metrics,” said Dr. Omar Amir.

Read more: https://mshs.co/4djdLDh

🌞 Start your day the healthy way! Break the sugar habit at breakfast by trying these delicious alternatives:

🥣 Swap out sugary cereals for plain yogurt sweetened with fresh fruit. 🍓🥄
🍳 Enjoy eggs and avocado on whole grain toast for a protein-packed meal. 🥑🍞
🥞 Try oatmeal pancakes topped with bananas for a naturally sweet and hearty start. 🍌🥞

Your body will thank you, and you’ll feel more energized throughout the day! 💪🌟

A new program at Mount Sinai Morningside represents a valuable tool to catch lung cancer. Harnessing the power of leading-edge technology, the Incidental Lung Nodule Program employs artificial intelligence to sift through radiology reports ordered for patients for various conditions, looking for incidental lung nodules.

The program is marking its first anniversary. In just one year, it has identified more than 3,000 patients, including smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers, who may be at risk. Of these, more than 1,500 people are being actively monitored for any changes in their lung nodules, enabling early detection and intervention.

Learn more: https://mshs.co/3WJwylk

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulatory problem that causes a narrowing of the arteries in the leg. This can cause leg pain and leg ulcers or sores and limit a person’s ability to walk and, in advanced cases, can lead to gangrene and amputation.

Treating PAD typically involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, like smoking cessation, regular exercise, and a healthy diet, medication management, and, in some cases, procedural interventions.

The skilled vascular surgeons at Mount Sinai Morningside perform minimally invasive angioplasty and stenting to open a blocked artery or, in some cases, surgery to reroute the blood flow around a blocked artery to restore blood flow.

The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the severity of symptoms, the extent of arterial blockages, overall health, and patient preferences. It's important for individuals with PAD to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the progression of the disease and adjust treatment as needed.

To make an appointment for a consultation about any type of vascular condition, please call 212-523-4706.

https://bit.ly/3RYcHfu

A healthy-eating, non-smoking, 38-year-old triathlete suffered a widow-maker heart attack, but thanks to the rapid response from pulmonologist and critical care doctor, Christian M. Lo Cascio, MD, and expert care at Mount Sinai, he's back to training and competing. Dive into his inspiring story and see how our cardiology team made a difference. Read more:

https://bit.ly/3A64C2k

🌞☀️ Stay healthy this summer with these five tips! ☀️🌞

💧 Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body cool and well-hydrated. Don’t forget to carry a reusable water bottle!
🧴 Protect Your Skin: Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every two hours when outdoors. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses for extra protection!
🥗 Eat Fresh and Light: Enjoy the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in season. Opt for light, refreshing meals to keep your energy up and your body feeling great.
🚴‍♂️ Stay Active: Take advantage of the beautiful weather by engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or swimming. Remember to exercise during the cooler parts of the day to avoid overheating.
😴 Get Enough Rest: Balance your busy summer days with adequate sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours per night to help your body recover and stay healthy.

Mount Sinai Morningside wishes everyone a happy and healthy summer! 🌿💚

The vascular surgeons at Mount Sinai Morningside aortic care center have achieved outstanding results with low complication rates repairing aortic aneurysms—which can rupture and cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

There are two primary methods for repairing aortic aneurysms: endovascular repair and open surgical repair.

To prevent an aneurysm from rupturing, our skilled endovascular surgeons can insert a thin tube (catheter) through an artery in a patient’s leg up through the aorta to place a graft to reinforce the weakened section. Alternatively, open surgery maybe be performed to remove the damaged section of the blood vessel and replace it with a graft.

After either type of repair, patients typically require close monitoring and follow-up care to ensure the success of the procedure and to address any potential complications. This may include imaging studies to assess the durability of the repair and medications to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of further aneurysm formation. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation and regular exercise may be recommended to improve overall cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of future aneurysms.

To make an appointment for a consultation about any type of vascular condition, please call 212-523-4706.

https://bit.ly/3RYcHfu

For many, summertime is the season for fun-filled outdoor activities like biking and walking. Here are some tips on how to have fun, stay safe, and enjoy the outdoors this summer:

🚴‍♂️ Bicycle Safety
• Everyone including adults should wear a helmet. New York State Law requires bicyclists ages 13 and younger to wear helmets.
• Helmets should be worn properly. Straps should be snug underneath your chin to avoid the helmet twisting around your head.
• Infants younger than 12 months should not be carried on a bike.

🚶🏽 Pedestrian Safety
• Always follow the rules of the road, and cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Obey signs and signals.
• When crossing a crosswalk, look for cars in all directions. Stay cautious and never assume drivers see you. Ensure they acknowledge your presence and establish eye contact with approaching drivers.
• Stay attentive at all times. Avoid distractions such as electronic devices.

☀️ Heat Awareness
• Prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If your doctor has you on water pills, consult with your doctor on how much water you should drink during hot weather.
• Try to stay in a cool place, out of direct exposure. Wear loose, light-colored, and lightweight clothing.
• Be aware of early signs of general heat illness such as headaches, lightheadedness, and pale or flushed skin. Older adults may be susceptible to overheating and more likely to have chronic conditions or take prescription medications that affect the body’s ability to control its temperature

Be on the lookout for more summer safety tips next week.

A third-party software outage is impacting computer systems worldwide, including at Mount Sinai Health System. Patient safety remains our top priority. All appointments today remain as planned unless you hear from us. We will notify you if your non-urgent appointment or procedure needs to be rescheduled due to the global technology outage. We are thankful to our staff who are working to ensure care continues with minimal interruption.

Considering bariatric surgery?

Mount Sinai Morningside offers a comprehensive program that goes beyond weight loss. After assessing your health, goals, and determining the best path forward, our specialized team provides personalized care plans including: advanced surgical options, and extensive pre- and post-op support to ensure the best outcomes. This holistic approach helps reduce health risks and improve quality of life.

To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3QmuVVK or call 212-636-1000 to schedule an appointment to see if bariatric surgery is right for you.

Mount Sinai Morningside’s amputation prevention center uses advanced procedures to save limbs and save lives.

Our expert vascular surgeons successfully perform limb-saving procedures for patients with tissue that has died in their arms or legs due to diabetes, poor blood flow, serious infection, or other vascular diseases.

The goal of vascular limb salvage is to restore or improve blood flow to the affected limb, promote healing, and prevent the need for amputation. That’s why our doctors, along with radiologists and other specialists, use sophisticated techniques such as radical debridement to remove dead or infected tissue to enable healthy new tissue to grow and reduce the risk of blood infection. Revascularization uses catheters, guidewires, and ballons to open up blood vessels and increase blood flow to the affected limb, reducing the need for amputation.

To make an appointment for a consultation about any type of vascular condition, please call 212-523-4706.

https://bit.ly/3RYcHfu

Kickstart your exercise journey with a visit to your primary care physician or a sports medicine specialist!

They’ll assess your fitness, evaluate your mobility, and address any health-related concerns. This ensures you start safely and effectively on your path to better health. 🏃‍♀️🏋️‍♂️🩺

https://bit.ly/3VY47Pi

Kickstart your exercise journey with a visit to your primary care physician or a sports medicine specialist!
 
They’ll assess your fitness, evaluate your mobility, and address any health-related concerns. This ensures you start safely and effectively on your path to better health. 🏃‍♀️🏋️‍♂️🩺
 
To learn more please visit the Mount Sinai Morningside Primary Care link in our profile.

Vascular Surgery at Mount Sinai Morningside’s mission is simple — to provide expert, compassionate, and personalized care. Our team of expert vascular and endovascular surgeons and specialists successfully treat a wide range of conditions related to blood vessels (your circulatory system), including:

✅ Carotid artery disease (which can lead to stroke)
✅ Aneurysmal arterial disease (like thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to rupture)
✅ Poor circulation (such as mesenteric occlusive disease, lower extremity arterial occlusive disease, and venous disease)
✅ Leg pain and leg ulcers

Our board-certified, fellowship-trained doctors offer comprehensive care that’s unique to every individual. When possible, patients are treated medically without any intervention or surgery. When surgery is necessary, more than half are minimally invasive, using smaller incisions and requiring less recovery time than open surgery. Patients typically go home the same day, or if a hospital stay is required, it’s usually overnight.

Why Mount Sinai Morningside?
Our new state-of-the-art hybrid operating room, featuring the latest technologically advanced equipment, allows our team of surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists to perform a wide range of simple and complex procedures. With access to the most advanced multimodality digital imaging, including PET scanners, high-resolution CT, and fusion imaging, doctors use real-time images of blood vessels to diagnose and repair damaged arteries and veins.

To make an appointment for a consultation about any type of vascular condition, please call 212-523-4706.

https://bit.ly/3RYcHfu

Congratulations to Marsha Sinanan-Vasishta, DNP, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPXP, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West, for being selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing! This distinguished cohort of nurse leaders, representing 37 states, the District of Columbia and Guam as well as 14 countries, will be recognized for their substantial and sustained impact on health and health care at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place on October 31 – November 2, 2024 in Washington, DC.

The 2024 Class of Fellows, selected from a competitive pool of applicants, represents a cross-section of nursing’s most dynamic leaders who are making positive change in their systems and communities to champion health and wellness.

The Mount Sinai Morningside state-of-the-art and innovative hybrid operating room (OR) features the latest technologically advanced equipment. Read how our hybrid OR improves precision in minimally invasive procedures.

https://bit.ly/4eIIpaz

What is a hybrid operating room? It’s a surgical suite that combines medical imaging and a conventional surgical suite that can be used for both minimally invasive and conventional, or “open”, surgical procedures. The imaging devices allow surgeons to perform surgical procedures through a series of small incisions by enabling the visualization of minuscule body parts such as blood vessels.

Mount Sinai Morningside's Innovative Hybrid Operating Room Improves Precision in Minimally Invasive Procedures The team of vascular surgeons at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West work to ensure all available technology is used to benefit patients. From left: Michael Dudkiewicz, MD, James Cornwall, MD, Adam Korayem, MD, PhD, Daniel Han, MD, Robert J. Gr...

The Mount Sinai Morningside state-of-the-art and innovative hybrid operating room (OR) features the latest technologically advanced equipment. Click the link in our profile to read how our hybrid OR improves precision in minimally invasive procedures.

What is a hybrid operating room? It’s a surgical suite that combines medical imaging and a conventional surgical suite that can be used for both minimally invasive and conventional, or “open”, surgical procedures. The imaging devices allow surgeons to perform surgical procedures through a series of small incisions by enabling the visualization of minuscule body parts such as blood vessels.

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. It’s the time to reflect on the lives lost and families forever changed by gun violence, honor the victims, support survivors, and advocate a future free from gun violence.

Here’s why we must come together to address this issue:

• Preventable Tragedies – many gun-related injuries and deaths are preventable through education, safe storage practices, and community interventions.
• Public Health Impact – gun violence is a major public health crisis, leading to physical injuries, long-term disabilities, and emotional trauma for victims and their families.
• Safety First – promoting responsible gun ownership and safe practices can significantly reduce accidental shootings, especially among children and adolescents.
• Community Strength – by fostering a culture of awareness and prevention, we can create safer communities where everyone feels secure and supported.

Join us in spreading the word and taking action. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. It’s the time to reflect on the lives lost and families forever changed by gun violence, honor the victims, support survivors, and advocate a future free from gun violence.
 
Here’s why we must come together to address this issue:

* Preventable Tragedies – many gun-related injuries and deaths are preventable through education, safe storage practices, and community interventions.
* Public Health Impact – gun violence is a major public health crisis, leading to physical injuries, long-term disabilities, and emotional trauma for victims and their families.
* Safety First – promoting responsible gun ownership and safe practices can significantly reduce accidental shootings, especially among children and adolescents.
* Community Strength – by fostering a culture of awareness and prevention, we can create safer communities where everyone feels secure and supported.

Join us in spreading the word and taking action. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

that 1 in 40 men in the United States will die of prostate cancer? That’s why prostate screening is so important, especially for African American men, who are at a higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer. In fact, it’s recommended that African American men start screening between the ages of 40-45, or even earlier if there is a family history of prostate cancer.

To learn more, here’s an informative, short video from Gerald P. Hoke, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a practicing urologist at Mount Sinai Morningside. He explains how regular screening can save lives by detecting prostate cancer early and the types of screenings.

https://youtu.be/sIp7Hwq02UI

If you would like to make an appointment to meet with a Mount Sinai Morningside Urologist, please call 212-523-3340.

Twelve minutes without a pulse. That's how long paramedics performed CPR on 38-year-old Matias Escobar after his heart stopped during the final leg of the NYC Triathlon last October. He suffered an ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) — the deadliest type of heart attack.

After several days in a coma and a stent placed in his coronary artery, Matias made a dramatic recovery. However, his near-fatal heart attack left him and his doctors questioning what went wrong and if they missed any warning signs. Doctors report that Matias is part of a rising trend of younger, seemingly healthy adults experiencing sudden cardiac events. "In general, about 10-20% of people that come in with heart attacks don’t have any obvious, traditional cardiovascular risk factors,” says Dr. Deepak Bhatt, Director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital.

Matias' physician, Dr. Serdar Farhan, an interventional cardiologist at Mount Sinai, and his team dug deeper “to understand why a young guy like him, so healthy and athletic, would come in a dire condition." Upon investigation, doctors found signs of inflammation, including elevated C-reactive protein, and noted he had high cholesterol levels when he was younger.

Experts stress the importance of being aware of heart attack risk factors and getting regular checkups for both patients and doctors.

Today, Matias is recovering well. The husband and father of a 2-year-old follows a vegan diet and stays active. He's already gearing up for his next race: the New York Triathlon.

Read more: https://mshs.co/3V71Ssr

In a new article on Health.com, “Women's Heart Health Declines Rapidly After Menopause, Study Shows,” postmenopausal women need to concentrate on their heart health by adopting lifestyle changes, such as “quitting smoking and managing stress through methods such as yoga and meditation,” says Petra Zubin Maslov, MD, PhD, cardiologist at Mount Sinai Morningside.

She also says in the health.com article, “If you do start to notice signs of heart disease, such as a heaviness in the chest, heartburn, chronic fatigue, or pain in the neck, jaw, or back, Dr. Zubin Maslov stressed the importance of consulting a medical professional and not chalking the symptoms up to the ‘normal’ effects of aging.

Because some [heart] symptoms overlap with other conditions, she recommends seeing a cardiologist if you have health issues that persist despite treatment.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. that distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving such as using a cell phone to call/text or eating while driving?

There are three main types of distraction – to drive safely, you should:

👀 Keep your eyes on the road
🚗 Keep your hands on the wheel
🧠 Keep your mind on driving

So keep yourself safe and others on the road, prevent distractions while driving!

The Mount Sinai Morningside Nursing Department created an award to recognize physician leaders who have exemplified interdisciplinary teamwork and colleagueship with our nursing teams, with the goal of advancing quality, safety, and the patient experience.

This year’s winner is Omar Amir, MD, MS!

He was nominated for this prestigious award by Assistant Nurse Manager Natalia Powell-Bent, ANCC Jean Richardson, and the 9 West team for his outstanding work in exemplifying our values. Dr. Amir has demonstrated dedication and commitment to the Nursing Department through his collaboration, and his contributions to help achieve the highest standards of quality patient care. His compassionate approach, combined with his commitment to quality and patient safety, exemplifies service that is above and beyond.

We also want to congratulate Janet Shapiro, MD and Argelis Rivera, MD, who were also nominated for Physician of the Year.

Congratulations Dr. Amir!