Healthytogether - CRITICAL CARE WHEN EVERY MOMENT COUNTS - RWJBarnabas Health
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healthy
A Publication of WINTER 2020
ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
together
TWO TALES OF
KIDNEY
DONATION
SIMPLE WAYS
TO STAY FIT
THIS WINTER
BREATHE
BETTER
CRITICAL CARE
WHEN EVERY MOMENT COUNTS
A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
HEALTH NEWS
SAVING LIVES IS OUR CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
LIFE’S WORK OF LEADERSHIP
The American Hospital Association (AHA) honored
A
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH)
t RWJBarnabas Health, we take the trust people place in us to heart. It’s in recognition of the hospital’s 100 years of
the bedrock of our commitment to your care, from preventive services to participation and leadership in the AHA. Founded
life-saving emergency treatment. in 1898, AHA’s first year of admitting institutional
members was 1919, meaning RWJUH is one of
For urgent situations, we have two world-class trauma centers, one in Jersey City
55 charter members of the AHA. AHA Regional
and one in ew Brunswick, as well as the only burn center in the state, located in Executive Michael Draine was on site to present
ivingston. In addition, we have expanded our emergency response capabilities and the award to the RWJUH leadership team.
have acquired an advanced emergency helicopter, call sign ife Flight, equipped and
sta ed to provide critical care while transporting badly in ured patients. ACCOLADES FOR
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is one of only three evel I
Trauma Centers in the state and ew Jersey’s rst designated Pediatric Trauma Center.
SURGICAL PERFORMANCE
With more than , trauma patients treated annually in an mergency Department Healthgrades has recognized RWJUH with the
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery
that sees in excess of , patients each year, RWJUH’s evel I Trauma Center Award™ (for 2020 and 2018). RWJUH was honored
regularly cares for some of the most seriously in ured patients in the state. In addition to for superior clinical outcomes in prostate removal
treating the seriously in ured, the Trauma Center conducts research and educates other surgery and transurethral resection of the prostate.
The hospital also received the Bariatric Surgery
healthcare professionals about the most recent advances in trauma care. It also educates
Excellence Award™ (for 2020 and 2019) for superior
the community about safety through its In ury Prevention Program. clinical outcomes in bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
To help people stay healthy and safe, we reach out with education and
prevention programs for people of all ages. We’ve also invested in creating the
new secure and convenient RWJBarnabas Health Connect app, available at your
EXCEPTIONAL
app store. Health Connect lets you access your records, store your insurance STROKE CARE
information, search for doctors, and make real-time appointments that are The Comprehensive Stroke Center at RWJUH
automatically added to your phone calendar. received the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke
Health Connect, along with the RWJBarnabas Health TeleMed app, which Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and its Stroke
o ers online access for a physician visit, are integral parts of e orts to create a truly Elite Plus Honor Roll Award—two of the highest
tech-forward healthcare organization. ese e orts led to all RWJBarnabas Health honors a center can receive from the organization
hospitals earning the “Most Wired” designation from the College of Healthcare for exceptional stroke care. The Get With The
Guidelines®-Stroke award recognizes the hospital’s
Information Management xecutives this year. commitment to ensuring that stroke patients
Whether you face an emergency or have an everyday health question, we’re receive the most appropriate treatment according
committed to providing convenient access to the highest-quality care—whenever to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines
and wherever you need it. based on the latest scientific evidence. RWJUH’s
Comprehensive Stroke Center earned the award by
ours in good health, meeting specific quality achievement measures for
the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients.
BARRY H. OSTROWSKY JOHN J. GANTNER
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RWJBARNABAS HEALTH ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
1 Robert Wood Johnson Pl., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
888.MD.RWJUH (888.637.9584)
CONNECT WITH US ON
@RWJUH
@RWJUH
RWJBarnabas Health
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, or sex. For more information, see link on our home page at www.rwjbh.org/newbrunswick. RWJUH New Brunswick cumple con las
leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. ATENCIÓN: Si usted habla español,
servicios de asistencia lingüística, de forma gratuita, están disponibles para usted. Llame al 888.637.9584. RWJUH New Brunswick konfòm ak lwa sou dwa sivil
Federal ki aplikab yo e li pa fè diskriminasyon sou baz ras, koulè, peyi orijin, laj, enfimite oswa sèks. ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki
disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 888.637.9584.
Healthy Together | 2 | Winter 2020
NB_Memo_Winter20_Rev2.indd 2 12/16/19 1:05 PM
healthy
together
contents WINTER 2020
2. WELCOME LETTER. 13. LEARNING TO CRAWL 18. INTENSIVE CARE
A community update AGAIN. A baby ON WHEELS.
from our CEOs. rebounds from a traumatic Two customized
brain injury. ambulances provide
4. THE GIFT OF LIFE. specialized treatment
Two RWJUH 14. A STRANGER’S GIFT. A and comfort for
employees donated blood stem cell donation— critically ill children.
kidneys to give two and a powerful medical
seriously ill people partnership—saved 20. A STRONGER
their lives back. 9. HOW TO SAVE A LIFE. Is it a the life of a HEART. Thanks to
heart attack or cardiac arrest— Toms River woman. a special device, a
6. HEALTHY HOMES, and what can a bystander do?
HEALTHY PEOPLE. patient is becoming
16. YOU CAN BEAT THE well enough for a
An innovative 10. TRAUMA WITHOUT DRAMA.
Top RWJBarnabas Health WINTER BLUES. Seasonal transplant.
program is helping
trauma and burn centers stand depression is a struggle,
local tenants
ready to save severely injured but help is available. 22. BREATHE BETTER.
improve their living
conditions. patients. Minimally invasive
17. VOLUNTEER techniques help
8. KEEP MOVING! A 12. MAKING MATERNITY SAFER. EXTRAORDINAIRE. In specialists diagnose
trainer’s advice for A strong focus on women’s memory of one woman’s and treat lung
staying fit when the health before, during and after kindness, generosity and conditions with fewer
weather is frightful. pregnancy aims to save lives. indomitable spirit. complications.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | RWJBH.ORG/NEWBRUNSWICK | 3
NB_TOC_Winter20_Rev1.indd 3 12/16/19 8:52 AM
TH IFT OF LIFE
Samantha, but they
always fell through,” says
Marco.
A YOUNG WOMAN e surgery was
scheduled for June
25. On the day of the
SAVES A CHILD operation, Samantha
and Aden were wheeled
into their respective
W
hen Samantha Donnelly was in high school, one operating rooms. Samantha
of her classmates needed a kidney transplant. “I was surrounded by her mother
wanted to donate one of my kidneys to her, but and boyfriend, Aden by his parents.
when I applied I was told I was too young,” recalls Samantha, It took two hours for Ronald Pelletier, MD, a transplant
now . Undeterred, she decided she would wait until she surgeon and Program Director at the Kidney and Pancreas
reached the legal age for kidney donation, which is in the U.S. Transplant Center at RWJUH, to remove Samantha’s kidney. It
In 2018, Samantha applied to be a kidney donor at Robert took four hours for Advaith Bongu, MD, a transplant surgeon
Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), where she works and Dr. Pelletier’s colleague, to place Samantha’s kidney in
as an mergency Medical Technician ( MT) with the RWJUH Aden.
Mobile Health Service and is pursuing a nursing degree. Samantha stayed in the hospital for two days before being
Meanwhile, -year-old Aden Supe was stru ling with discharged to recuperate at home. Although she was up and
a rare genetic kidney disorder. His RWJUH physicians walking around fairly quickly, she couldn’t drive for two
warned his parents, Marco and Mayra, that kidney failure weeks and had to be out of work for six, since her job as an
was imminent. In 2018, he was placed on dialysis, which MT requires heavy li ing. Aden also tolerated the procedure
performs the functions of the kidneys. “It was hard to see our well. “ e rst thing he said when he saw my team was that
son su ering,” recalls Marco. “He had no appetite and wasn’t he wanted some wa es,” recalls Dr. Bongu. “ at’s when we
growing, and the dialysis le him so exhausted he couldn’t go all knew he would be ne.” Over the summer, Aden’s appetite
to preschool.” returned, he started growing again, and he had more energy
en, last spring, the Supes received exciting news. for school and other activities. e transplanted organ will
RWJUH had identi ed a donor: Samantha, who had a last for to years, then he’ll have to go through the process
matching blood type. For Marco and Mayra, it was a dream again. “For now, we’re en oying the fact that our son has his
come true. “ ere were a few potential donors before health back,” says Marco.
Healthy Together | 4 | Winter 2020
NB_Kidney_Winter20_final.indd 4 12/13/19 12:53 PM
From left: Jennifer
Loreto is grateful to
Colleen Herkert for
TWO RWJUH EMPLOYEES DONATED THEIR donating her kidney to
Jennifer’s husband.
KIDNEYS TO GIVE TWO SERIOUSLY ILL
PEOPLE THEIR LIVES BACK.
A COWORKER
GOES ABOVE
AND BEYOND
C
olleen Herkert and Jennifer oreto have been
From left: Four-year-old Aden Supe has regained his health thanks to a part of the RWJUH family for more than a
kidney from Samantha Donnelly, an RWJUH employee. Samantha with decade. ey work together on the hospital’s
Jami Abes, BSN, RN, CPTC, Transplant Coordinator. Above, from left: bone marrow transplant unit, where Colleen, RD, CSO,
Advaith Bongu, MD, Surgeon, Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation; Joann
Carlson, MD, Interim Division Chief, Division of Pediatric Nephrology CNSC, is a registered dietitian and Jennifer is a unit
and Hypertension, The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at manager. e women are close friends, and Jennifer
RWJUH; Abes and Ronald Pelletier, MD, Director of Kidney and Pancreas o en asked Colleen for advice about nutrition for her
Transplantation at RWJUH with Samantha and Aden.
husband, Manuel, who has type 2 diabetes.
Manuel’s disease was not well controlled, and it had
Samantha and Aden were able to meet about six weeks taken a toll on his kidney function. He began dialysis
a er the surgery, when they were at the hospital for follow-up in October and had to stop working. He was
appointments. It was an overwhelming moment for both— placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, but
especially Aden, who became shy and hid behind his parents. “It both he and Jennifer were not optimistic they would
was so great to see him and put a face to the person I donated find a donor quickly.
to,” says Samantha, who now keeps up with him through his Then, the seemingly miraculous happened. Colleen,
mom’s Facebook account. Mayra recently posted: “I want to who shares the same type O blood as Manuel, offered
thank od for sending this angel into my life. Samantha, we’re to donate one of her kidneys. “I’d worked with dialysis
really thankful for everything you did for our son. od bless you patients, and I saw firsthand the toll dialysis takes on
forever.” their lives,” she says. “I never had a second thought
Samantha and Aden’s parents rave about the care at RWJUH. about it.”
“Dr. Pelletier did an excellent job of explaining the procedure In January 2019, the surgery took place at Saint
and allaying my fears,” says Samantha. Similarly, Marco says, Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. The procedure
“ e hospital sta went out of their way to reassure Aden before was a success. Today, Manuel is back to work and
and a er the surgery.” playing sports that he had to give up during dialysis,
For the surgeons, this transplant is especially memorable. such as tennis. “He has his life back, and it’s all thanks
Says Dr. Pelletier: “I’ve performed many kidney donations over to Colleen,” says Jennifer. “She gave my husband the
the years, but this one moved me the most. Samantha performed gift of life.”
a sel ess act for a young child she saved Aden’s life.” ext year, the three will travel to Manuel’s and
For Samantha, seeing Aden made her sacri ce worthwhile. Jennifer’s native Philippines, along with several
“My life is back to normal, but I got to give a little boy the other nurses from the bone marrow unit. The trip
chance to live a full life,” she says. is especially meaningful because Manuel was unable
to travel for several years due to the dialysis. “It is
amazing to look at Manuel and realize that I was able
To learn more about living kidney donation, visit to give him his life back,” marvels Colleen.
www.njtransplant.org.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | RWJBH.ORG/NEWBRUNSWICK | 5
NB_Kidney_Winter20_Rev1.indd 5 12/16/19 12:28 PM
HEALTHY
AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM IS
HELPING LOCAL TENANTS IMPROVE
THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS.
HOMES, S
ofia’s rental home in ew
Brunswick was in serious disrepair,
but her landlord refused to remedy
the problems. “The windows were falling
H A TH
apart, the bathroom was in bad condition,
and pieces of the ceiling were falling off,”
says Sofia. “I waited for the landlord to fix
these issues, but he didn’t.” Instead, the
landlord sent her a bill for a , water
P OP
fee and other phony charges. When Sofia
refused to pay the bill, the landlord tried
to evict her, her husband and children.
Thankfully, a new program was
available to help. In , Robert Wood
Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH)
Healthy Together | 6 | Winter 2020
NB_HealthyHomes_Winter20_final.indd 6 12/13/19 12:55 PM
The New Brunswick Healthy
Housing Collaborative’s
community health
ambassadors work to reduce
risks and hazards in homes
to improve residents’
health. Left: Ambassadors
raise awareness of the
program at a broad range of
community events.
partnered with Saint Peter’s University social disparities in the city, says Merced. e community health ambassadors also
Hospital, Middlesex County Office of Most of the residents are Spanish- recommended that Carolina use cleaning
Health Services and ew Brunswick speaking immigrants, often women with products with fewer chemicals. Carolina
Tomorrow to launch the ew Brunswick children. Many are renters who don’t is grateful for their guidance. “I learned
Healthy Housing Collaborative, which know or understand their rights as that the landlord has a responsibility to x
aims to reduce risks and hazards in tenants. “Initially, we thought we were things that are wrong with the house,” she
homes to improve residents’ health. The going to find a lot of issues around pests says. “I also learned how to advocate for my
initiative is part of RWJBarnabas Health’s and mold, and we did find those,” says rights as a tenant.”
Social Impact and Community Investment Merced. “But the most pressing issue was
practice. “Housing is a social determinant tenant-landlord conflict, with tenants EMPOWERING TENANTS
of health,” says Mariam Merced, Director not being able to fix their homes because To help tenants understand their rights,
of Community Health Promotions they didn’t know that they could ask for the Healthy Homes ambassadors host
at RWJUH. Unsafe, unsanitary living things to be repaired. Some landlords educational sessions at churches, daycares
conditions can lead to a range of health take advantage of that.” Others, however, and other facilities. During the sessions,
problems, including asthma and allergies, have made repairs and improved the tenants learn to obtain a copy of their
lead poisoning, heat or cold exposure, tenants’ living conditions quickly. lease and receipts to document rent
in uries, carbon monoxide poisoning e program, which is in its second payments, take photos of hazards and put
and fire hazards. “ our living situation year, has already helped to improve housing complaints in writing to their landlords.
directly affects your health—whether it’s conditions in homes with more than “We help tenants get organized in case
your mental or physical health,” says Ana residents. In So a’s case, the community health they need to go to court,” says Merced.
Bonilla Martinez, Program Coordinator. ambassadors explained that her rights as a Bonilla Martinez knows from personal
tenant were being violated. ey advised her experience how important these services
INVESTIGATING HEALTH to compile evidence, including photos and are to the community. “I grew up in
RISKS IN HOMES written communications, to use in case she an immigrant family, and any sort of
e Healthy Housing initiative has four had to go to court. Ultimately, the case was guidance you can get is helpful when
Spanish-speaking “community health dismissed, and So a and her family decided to it comes to housing because you don’t
ambassadors” who are members of the move to another home in ew Brunswick. understand the language, your rights and
community and are trained to recognize In another case, the landlord made the community resources that can help
health risks in homes. With the tenants’ amends. Carolina’s home had chipping you have a healthy home.”
permission, the ambassadors visit homes paint and mold in the bathroom. With the Merced says she’s proud of the program’s
in pairs and assess the living situation. help of the community health ambassadors, accomplishments. “I think we’ve created
ey investigate problems such as pests, she learned what steps she needed to take momentum in the city around housing
water leaks, mold, lead exposure, dust, to resolve the situation. “ e ambassadors issues,” she says. “Many of the residents call
poor heating and tenant-landlord con icts. told me to write a letter to the landlord us now and say, I’ve moved to a di erent
A er they’ve identi ed hazards, they make explaining the problems,” she says. “In the place. Can you help me read my lease?’”
recommendations for improvements and letter, I also mentioned that we didn’t have
connect residents with resources that can a re extinguisher, and he got me one.” *Name has been changed to protect privacy.
help them address the problems.
The program works with residents
of two ew Brunswick neighborhoods— f ou have a uestion about our living conditions, call egal ervices of
speranza and Unity Square—which New erse at 888.576.5529 or visit www lsn org
have some of the greatest health and
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | RWJBH.ORG/NEWBRUNSWICK | 7
NB_HealthyHomes_Winter20_Rev1.indd 7 12/16/19 12:31 PM
Q&A ASK THE EXPERT
KEEP
MOVING!
A TRAINER’S ADVICE FOR STAYING FIT
WHEN THE WEATHER IS FRIGHTFUL. PETER DEFRANZO
D
uring the winter, it’s tempting to aerobic activity each week. at translates What types of outdoor exercise do
put exercise on hold until warm, into about to minutes per day. e you recommend during the winter?
sunny days return. But there are a Guidelines also recommend strength Walking (especially up hills), snowshoeing,
lot of good reasons to keep moving: Working training, such as li ing weights, on two cross country skiing, shoveling snow—and
out can reduce anxiety and blood pressure days per week. Kids ages 6 through 17 even throwing snowballs with your kids or
and improve your quality of sleep. It can need at least one hour of moderate-to- grandkids—are great calorie burners. Since
also help reduce arthritis pain, lower your vigorous activity daily. Moderate-intensity the snow and ice can lead to falls, be sure to
risk of developing eight types of cancer and activities include brisk walking, household wear slip-resistant sneakers or boots.
slow the progression of high blood pressure chores and dancing. Examples of vigorous
and type 2 diabetes. What’s more, if you activities include running, swimming laps How does “exercise planning”
exercise regularly, you’ll be less likely to gain and hiking. benefit people who work out at RWJ
weight, become lethargic and eat poorly. Fitness & Wellness?
“When you make one good choice, it’s easier If I don’t belong to a gym, Members have access to a trainer during
to make another good choice, such as eating how can I stay fit? orientation. We can identify any movement
healthy,” says Peter DeFranzo, a trainer at Move as o en as you can—and monitor your patterns that could lead to knee, low back,
Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Fitness activity with a tness tracker, if possible. neck or shoulder strain. We also ask about a
Wellness Center in Old Bridge. “It’s what Create a goal for yourself, like taking 8,000 person’s tness goals and preferences. Based
we call a ‘positive feedback loop.’” Here, to 14,000 steps each day (check with your on that information, we create a custom
DeFranzo o ers advice on how to stay active physician rst). e average American takes weekly exercise routine. So, for instance, on
when there’s a chill in the air. about 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day. Add an Mondays you might swim, and on Tuesdays
extra 1,000 steps per day every two weeks you might take a group exercise class. We
How much exercise do I need? until you’ve reached your goal. If you’re focus on achievable milestones, which
e government’s recently updated snowed in, walk up and down the stairs in helps people stay motivated. We also advise
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans your home. Keep in mind, even chores, such working out with a friend, which can make
recommend that adults get at least 150 as doing laundry and taking out the garbage, exercise fun and hold you accountable for
to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity count as exercise. sticking with your plan.
To learn ore about the RWJ itness Wellness enter, visit
www rw tnesswellness co old bridge
Health Together | 8 | Winter 2020
NB_WinterFitness_Winter20_Rev1.indd 8 12/16/19 10:15 AM
HOW TO
SAVE A LIFE
IS IT A HEART ATTACK OR CARDIAC ARREST—AND WHAT SHOULD A BYSTANDER DO?
“H
eart attack” and “cardiac
arrest” may sound like similar HEART ATTACK CARDIAC ARREST (CA)
conditions, but they’re not
the same—and one is potentially much
more life-threatening. “With a heart attack, WHAT IT IS WHAT IT IS
an artery is clo ed, and the ma ority A circulation problem. Blood ow Usually, an electrical problem that
of patients have 100 percent closure of stops because of a blockage in an causes the heart to stop pumping.
an artery,” explains Jay H. Stone, MD, artery. e part of the heart muscle CA can be tri ered by a heart attack
Director of the Cardiac Catheterization and that is deprived of oxygen-rich but can have other causes, such as an
Interventional Lab at Community Medical blood begins to die. undiagnosed heart abnormality or
Center in Toms River and a member of the SYMPTOMS cocaine or amphetamine use.
RWJBarnabas Health medical group. “In a ese may begin hours, days or SYMPTOMS
cardiac arrest, the heart stops completely weeks in advance. • Possibly racing heart or dizziness,
and no blood at all is circulating.” Death can • Chest pain or feeling of pressure but CA may occur without warning.
be instantaneous. in the chest, possibly spreading to • A person su ering CA will become
e two things that determine survival, arms, neck, aw, back or stomach. unconscious and will not breathe
Dr. Stone explains, are the underlying • Feeling sick, sweaty or short of normally, or breathe at all.
pathology and the ow of blood to the brain. breath.
“If someone passes out in front of you, take WHAT TO DO
• e person having a heart attack • Immediately call 911, or have
action immediately,” will usually remain conscious.
he urges. “ e patient someone else make the call while
can’t a ord to lose WHAT TO DO you perform the steps below.
the time that it may If you are having these symptoms, • If an AED (automated external
take for professional don’t hesitate to contact your de brillator) is available, begin use,
medical help to doctor or call 911. If someone you following the prompts.
arrive.” uick action are with appears to be having a • Do CPR (cardiopulmonary
can double or even heart attack, call 911 immediately. resuscitation). If you don’t know
triple a cardiac arrest Sit the person down and keep them conventional CPR, do hands-only
victim’s chance for calm while you wait for help. CPR (see below).
JAY H. STONE, MD survival.
HANDS-ONLY CPR
GET IT Hands-only CPR can be done successfully even by someone
CHECKED who’s not a professional. The idea is to push hard and fast in the
center of the victim’s chest to the beat of a familiar song that has
Your heart doesn’t beat just for 100 to 120 beats per minute. Think of the song “Stayin’ Alive”
you. Get it checked. To make by the Bee Gees to help keep compressions in a regular rhythm.
an appointment with one of New If disco doesn’t do it for you, push along to one of these:
Jersey’s top cardiac specialists, • “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé
call 888.724.7123 or visit • “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira
www.rwjbh.org/heart. • “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash
RWJBarnabas Health | RWJBH.ORG | 9
System_Cardiac_Winter20_final.indd 9 12/11/19 2:40 PM
TRAUMA
WITHOUT DRAMA
TOP RWJBARNABAS HEALTH TRAUMA AND BURN CENTERS STAND AT THE
READY TO DO WHAT’S NEEDED FOR THE MOST SEVERELY INJURED PATIENTS.
P
aramedics are running through care surgeon Rajan Gupta, MD, Director center’s job is to bring all these aspects
the mergency Department ( D) of the Level I Trauma Center and Pediatric together to help prioritize decisions and get
entrance. Blood is all over. Doctors Trauma Center at Robert Wood Johnson the best possible long-term outcome for the
are shouting, “ et me a clamp—stat ” University Hospital (RWJUH) in ew patient.”
And cut nd scene. at chaotic Brunswick. “ e more we mitigate chaos, Together, experts at the Trauma Center
scenario, a staple of medical shows, happens the safer the environment, and the better at RWJUH, the evel II Trauma Center at
on T show sets but not in real life, trauma the patient will do.” Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) and
experts say. Another common misconception, says e Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical
“In a true trauma situation, we have Dr. upta, is that trauma treatment ends Center (SBMC) in ivingston—each an
quiet, controlled conditions,” says critical a er the critical rst to minutes of RWJBarnabas Health facility—provide a
care. “In fact, our critical safety net for thousands of ew
system spans the Jersey residents.
entire gamut of
care—emergency TRAUMA OR ED?
services, acute Hospital Ds take care of emergencies, of
care centers, rehab course, like heart attacks and breathing
facilities, radiology, problems. Ds also deal with a broad range
blood banks, clinical of noncritical conditions, such as the u or
labs, data registry broken bones.
and more,” explains A trauma center, however, has a larger
RAJAN GUPTA, MD MICHAEL MARANO, MD BRUNO MOLINO, MD Dr. upta. “A trauma scope than an D. First responders or D
Healthy Together | 10 | Winter 2020
System_Trauma_Winter20_final.indd 10 12/11/19 2:50 PMFrom left, flight paramedic Michael Brown,
FP–C; flight nurse Robert Maiullo, CFRN; and situations: falls by elderly people, blunt- THE NEED
lead pilot Joe Gilbert with the RWJBarnabas force assault or penetrating wounds (such FOR SPEED
Health Airbus 135 helicopter. as gunshots), and motor-vehicle crashes, “In trauma care, timing is
says Dr. upta. “Our cars are getting much everything,” says Jim Smith, Vice
safer, so traumatic injuries from crashes are President, Mobile Health Services and
decreasing,” he explains. “Meanwhile, for Patient Transport at RWJBarnabas Health
the elderly, even a minor fall can result in (RWJBH). “The gold standard is to have
devastating in uries. As the population ages, no more than 60 minutes from the time a
this has become an ever-growing issue for patient has a traumatic emergency to the
health systems.” time he or she is in the OR.”
Trauma centers also routinely drill to Depending on location and time of day, a
be prepared for mass casualties in a disaster trip that takes 45 minutes by road could be
situation. is training includes close done by helicopter in 20 minutes. That’s
coordination with other trauma centers in why RWJBH has partnered with Med-Trans
aviation to provide a state-of-the-art Airbus
case backup is needed. ere are state-
135 helicopter and two dispatch centers for
certi ed trauma centers in ew Jersey.
live satellite tracking. Known as LifeFlight,
the service includes on-scene and in-air
HELP FOR SEVERE BURNS emergency treatment and transportation
Trauma centers across the state coordinate to the closest appropriate state-certified
closely with e Burn Center at SBMC, trauma center. The crew includes RWJBH
ew Jersey’s only state-certi ed burn- Emergency Medical Services flight nurses
treatment facility. In addition to burns and paramedics who have had extensive
from home accidents, industrial incidents training in emergency, air medical and
and motor-vehicle crashes, one of the most trauma protocols.
common in uries the center sees—up to In addition to providing time-critical
percent of cases—is scalding in children transportation from emergency events,
under age who have been splashed the LifeFlight system transports patients
accidentally by a hot liquid. as needed among RWJBH’s 11 hospitals
Specialists including burn technicians, (and other health systems as appropriate).
“The service assists with continuity of care
nurses and respiratory therapists, as well as
within the same network,” Smith says.
the most advanced technology, are available
“And although it can seem dramatic and
at the center at all times. “If someone scary for patients to hear they are being
comes in with a surface burn, for example, transported by helicopter, sometimes the
we’re able to immediately treat them with issue is not so much medical acuity as it is
hydrotherapy—water piped through special timing and traffic.”
spigots that removes dead skin and bacteria In either case, he says, “It’s important for
to minimize the chance of infection,” New Jersey residents to know that, barring
physicians make the decision as to whether a explains Michael Marano, MD, Medical any weather issues, air medical services in
patient needs the services of a trauma center. Director of e Burn Center. the state are robust and coordinate closely
“A trauma center is designed to e center has intensive care beds with ground providers. Very few states have
immediately treat critically injured patients for the most critically injured patients and the availability of resources and capabilities
who have life- or limb-threatening in uries,” an -bed recovery unit. It also runs e that we do.”
explains acute care surgeon Bruno Molino, Outpatient Center for Wound and Burn
MD, Trauma Director at JCMC and a Healing, which works with more than ,
member of RWJBarnabas Health medical patients each year. bicycle safety, sports safety, yard-work
group. “When seconds count to make the safety and distracted driving education. “I
di erence between life and death, a whole AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION tell my Injury Prevention Coordinator that
team is waiting around a stretcher even In the hope of minimizing the need for it’s her ob to put me out of business,” says
before the patient arrives. their services, the trauma and burn centers Dr. upta.
“To be certi ed as a trauma center, put considerable resources into community Inevitably, accidents will happen.
a facility must have extensive resources education, covering the age spectrum When they do, ew Jersey residents are in
available to care for severely injured patients from infants and car seats to geriatric fall the fortunate position of having a nearby
at all times,” says Dr. Molino. “ eurosurgery, prevention, as well as pedestrian safety, trauma center ready and able to serve.
maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery,
cardiac surgery—all these specialties and
more have to be there at our disposal.” To learn more about safety education and training at
e most common types of in uries RWJBarnabas Health hospitals, visit www rw bh org cpr
seen in trauma centers come from three
RWJBarnabas Health | RWJBH.ORG | 11
System_Trauma_Winter20_final.indd 11 12/11/19 2:50 PMMA I ALERT IN THE ED
MAT R IT
RWJBH mergency Departments ( Ds) have
created a system to ensure that any woman
coming to an D who has given birth within
the previous days is identi ed, and a
SAF R
note made in her electronic health record.
“Care management for certain conditions
for RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH). can be quite di erent for a woman who
“We’re collectively looking at the entire has recently given birth compared to a
continuum of healthcare to see what woman in the general population,” Spernal
women want and need to be healthy says. “ is alert system quickly identi es
A FOCUS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH before, during and a er pregnancy.” postpartum women and when minutes
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER matter it can save lives.”
EMPOWERING WOMEN Other aspects of RWJBH’s
PREGNANCY AIMS TO SAVE LIVES. Providing education is a priority. “ e comprehensive approach to maternal
ma ority of maternal adverse events don’t health include:
“I
don’t feel well,” said Tara Hansen, happen on the day a woman gives birth,”
, of Wanamassa, shortly a er Spernal says. “ ey occur in the days and to improve pregnancy outcomes. “Our
giving birth to her son in . But weeks that follow the birth, when mom is hospitals are exploring the speci c needs
her healthcare providers considered her back at home and the warning signs of a and challenges of women in their unique
a healthy postpartum patient, and sent serious complication may not be immediately communities,” Spernal says.
her home. Six days later, she died from an recognized.” so
infection that occurred during the birth. To increase awareness, Tara’s husband, women, particularly those with medical
Pregnancy-related deaths are Ryan, partnered with Rutgers Robert conditions, can plan safer pregnancies.
relatively rare—about occur each Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert C
year in the U.S.—but are on the rise. So Wood Johnson University Hospital, an that address issues such
is the rate of delivery-related “severe RWJBH facility, to create the Tara Hansen as housing, domestic violence, obesity,
maternal morbidity,” which is defined as Foundation’s “Stop. ook. isten ” program. diabetes and substance abuse, all of which
significant short- or long-term effects to is initiative empowers women to voice can negatively a ect pregnancy outcomes.
a woman’s health. any concerns they have and reminds
“In ew Jersey, healthcare systems, providers to pay close attention, rather than Monmouth Medical Center, an RWJBH
community-based organizations and assuming a symptom is a typical complaint facility, has the state’s only perinatal mood
government agencies are tackling this of pregnancy or the postpartum period. e and anxiety disorder program.
issue head-on,” says Suzanne Spernal, program has been embraced by facilities M
ice President of Women’s Services throughout RWJBH. A D , this year on January .
“This is new attention to maternity
care that is so long overdue,” Spernal says.
“Healthcare providers, policy advocates,
women’s advocates—together, we’re really
going to change the landscape over the
next few years.”
To nd world class aternit care near ou, call
888.724.7123 or visit www rw bh org aternit
Health Together | 12 | Winter 2020
System_Maternal_Winter20_final.indd 12 12/11/19 2:51 PMAR I TO
From left to right, LJ Lopes in the playroom at
Children’s Specialized Hospital; snuggling with his
cousin Auggie; getting a boost from visiting Rutgers
University football players.
CRAWL AGAIN
A BABY REBOUNDS FROM A
SKILLS REGAINED
J returned to CSH on February to
continue his rehabilitation ourney. He
quickly bonded with his inpatient team,
particularly en oying aquatic therapy. “Once
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY they got J into the pool, there was no
stopping him,” says Olivia. “He loved it, and
WITH THE HELP OF CHILDREN’S the resistance of the water forced him to
SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL. start using his right arm more.”
J spent another two months at
O
n the a ernoon of January , , An RWJBarnabas Health facility Children’s Specialized working with
Olivia opes got a frightening physical, occupational, speech-language
phone call: Her mother, nephew and recreational therapists. “ e progress
and -month-old son had been in an accident. (CSH) in ew Brunswick. There, a team he made at Children’s Specialized was
While the three were walking home from her of specialists developed a customized amazing,” says Olivia. “A er the accident,
nephew’s school, a vehicle had umped the rehabilitation program to address he lost all of his muscle memory. e team
curb and struck them from behind. his medical, physical, cognitive and worked with him day in and day out,
Olivia’s mother and nephew suffered psychosocial needs. helping him to learn how to roll, crawl,
multiple fractures. Infant J, who had Within a week, however, his family stand and walk.” J went home on April .
been in his car seat in a wagon being and team realized something wasn’t He is now attending outpatient therapy
pulled by his grandmother, suffered the right with J. He was transferred to the sessions three days a week at the CSH
most extensive in uries as the car seat mergency Department at Robert Wood location in Hamilton, working hard to
became dislodged and soared feet Johnson University Hospital in ew build strength in his right arm and learn
away. “When we finally got in to see J, Brunswick, where a CAT scan led to a how to suck and swallow properly.
he was on life support,” Olivia recalls. diagnosis of hydrocephalus. With this “We still keep in touch with the
“He had multiple skull fractures, orbital condition, excess cerebrospinal fluid remarkable therapists and care team at
fractures, severe brain trauma and a builds up in the ventricles (cavities) of Children’s Specialized, updating them on
broken leg, and was having difficulty the brain and increases pressure within J’s progress,” Olivia says. “We’re forever
moving his right arm.” the head, causing head enlargement, grateful for the care that Children’s
J spent days in a Pediatric headaches, impaired vision, cognitive Specialized provided to our son.”
Intensive Care Unit before being difficulties and loss of coordination. To learn more about Children’s
transferred to the Brain In ury Program A shunt was surgically inserted into a Specialized Hospital, call 888.244.5373 or
at Children’s Specialized Hospital ventricle to drain the excess fluid. visit www.childrens-specialized.org.
At Children’s Specialized Hospital, we provide world-class care for children and young adults who face special health challenges
across the state of New Jersey and beyond. Our locations in Bayonne, Clifton, East Brunswick, Egg Harbor Township, Hamilton,
Jersey City, Mountainside, New Brunswick, Newark, Toms River and Warren treat everything from chronic illnesses and complex
physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to developmental and behavioral issues like autism and mental health.
RWJBarnabas Health | RWJBH.ORG | 13
System_CSH_Winter2020_final.indd 13 12/11/19 2:52 PMA STRANGER’S
GIFT
A BLOOD STEM CELL DONATION—
AND A POWERFUL MEDICAL
PARTNERSHIP—SAVE THE LIFE OF
A TOMS RIVER WOMAN.
I
t’s a gorgeous day on the boardwalk “To have a donor and patient together made an appointment with an infectious
in Bradley Beach and to look at like this is truly remarkable,” says Vimal disease specialist, and his phlebotomist
the two smiling women, you would Patel, MD, a hematologist/oncologist took blood samples,” she recalls.
never guess that they had met in person in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Within 24 hours, the doctor called
for the very first time ust three days Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of back to explain that he had sent the
before. They exhibit a strong physical New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson blood test results to a hematologist who
and emotional connection—a bond worth University Hospital (RWJUH) ew wanted her in his office that day. “I think
life itself. Brunswick. “This is the reason I went you have leukemia,” the hematologist
“I feel as if I’m with my daughter or into my field: to see moments like this.” told her. “And I think you need to go to
my niece,” Lael McGrath, 68, admits. Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
She owes her life to Wiebke Rudolph, a AN UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS in New Brunswick. Today.”
21-year-old recent college graduate from In August 2016, Lael was not well. She Lael’s immune system was so
Kassel, Germany. Wiebke donated her had been a runner for more than 40 suppressed that she was in a life-
stem cells anonymously to Lael after years, but that summer she couldn’t threatening situation. Within three days
the retired second-grade teacher from run more than a block without having she would be admitted to RWJUH, where
Toms River was diagnosed with life- to stop to walk. She had fevers, night she would spend the next seven weeks
threatening acute myeloid leukemia in sweats and a rash on her back. “A friend undergoing chemotherapy. Dr. Patel has
2016. Both had looked forward to this was diagnosed with Lyme disease and been by her side since then, along with
meeting for more than two years. her symptoms sounded like mine, so I a vast team of specialists from both
Healthy Together | 14 | Winter 2020
System_BMTPatient_Winter20_final.indd 14 12/11/19 2:53 PMOpposite page, top, Lael and Wiebke with
Vimal Patel, MD; this page, with members of the
Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Rutgers
Cancer Institute and Robert Wood Johnson
University Hospital.
NOT ALL DONORS AND PATIENTS
MEET. BUT THERE WAS NEVER
ANY DOUBT FOR
EITHER OF THESE
TWO WOMEN.
IN FACT, THE
PAIR STARTED
EMAILING,
RWJUH and Rutgers Cancer Institute. Four thousand
In the hospital, Lael’s treatment miles away in
TEXTING AND
involved the use of combination Germany, Wiebke THEN TALKING
chemotherapy designed to get her was notified that she
into remission. “However, the specific matched a patient in dire
TO EACH OTHER ON
mutations that we identified in her need. “Not that many people FACETIME RIGHT AFTER
leukemia were high-risk in nature, so we in Germany do this and certainly no
knew that chemotherapy alone would one in my family or among my friends,”
BEING GIVEN EACH OTHER’S
not keep her in remission,” says Dr. Patel. she says. “But when I first heard about CONTACT INFORMATION.
“We needed immune therapy in the form this, I said yes, I’m going to do it. I was
of an allogeneic stem cell transplant.” determined.”
Wiebke underwent peripheral blood
SEARCHING FOR A DONOR stem cell donation, a procedure called was female and 19 years old.”
In a bone marrow transplant, cells can be apheresis, in which blood is removed Lael did so well post-transplant that
used from your own body, known as an through a needle in one arm and passed she was able to go home on New Year’s
autologous transplant. When cells are taken through a machine that collects only Day 2017. Over in Germany, Wiebke was
from a donor, the transplant is called blood-forming cells. (The remaining blood told that the transplant had gone well.
allogeneic. “In this procedure, the patient’s is returned to the donor through a needle Protocol and confidentiality policies
diseased marrow is replaced with a donor’s in the other arm.) The procedure took don’t permit donors and patients to have
blood stem cells,” says Dr. Patel. “It allows six hours. All the logistics of harvesting direct contact with each other until at
for normal blood formation and provides Wiebke’s stem cells and then transporting least one year has passed. In this case, the
a new immune system to help eliminate them to the U.S. were handled by wait lasted more than two years, until
the leukemia. It also has the potential for NMDP. Meanwhile, Lael’s repeat blood test results showed that Lael’s blood cells
a cure.” transfusions were made possible by the were 100 percent “donor.”
At RWJUH, bone marrow transplant RWJUH Blood Services team. Not all donors and patients meet.
coordinator Mary Kate McGrath, MSN, Lael spent weeks in the hospital But there was never any doubt for
RN, APN, BMTCN, OCN (no relation during the fall and winter of 2016, waiting either of these two women. In fact, the
to ael), ran the results of ael’s D A for the transplant and being closely pair started emailing, texting and then
testing through the National monitored by her healthcare team. talking to each other on FaceTime right
Marrow Donor Program Finally, in December 2016, after being given each other’s contact
( MDP) registry. she was notified that her information.
“Within two months RWJBarnabas Health and transplant was imminent. Recently, at a celebration hosted by
of Lael’s diagnosis, Robert Wood Johnson University “On December 16th, it RWJUH, both women held bouquets of
we identified three Hospital, in partnership with Rutgers happened,” she recalls. owers and stood happily alongside one
Cancer Institute of New Jersey—
potential matches “A team walked in another. “If it weren’t for Wiebke, I don’t
the state’s only NCI-Designated
on the registry— Comprehensive Cancer Center—
carrying a small know what would have happened,” Lael says.
but Wiebke turned provide close-to-home access to the cooler and within an With the breeze blowing off the
out to be the most advanced treatment options. Call hour, the transfusion Atlantic Ocean, these two women look
perfect match,” she 844.CANCERNJ or visit was over. All I actually knowingly at one another, smile and
explains. www.rwjbh.org/beatcancer. knew was that the donor agree, “It was a miracle.”
RWJBarnabas Health | RWJBH.ORG | 15
System_BMTPatient_Winter20_final.indd 15 12/11/19 2:53 PMsunlight tends to boost
serotonin. A lack of light
causes the brain to release less
serotonin, which can lead to
depression.
“We’re not sure what makes
some people vulnerable to
SAD while others aren’t greatly
affected by less exposure to
sunlight,” says Dr. Kaplan.
“The theory is that people with
SAD may have some form of
imbalance in the regulation of
these two hormones. Genetic
factors may play a role in this.”
WHAT TO DO
“If you think you may
have SAD, consult with a
professional to determine
whether your condition relates
to that or to something else,”
advises Dr. Kaplan. “Depression
can be due to many different
things, so it’s better not to self-
YOU CAN BEAT THE
diagnose and possibly waste time on the
wrong treatments.”
Having a healthy diet and regular
WI T R B U S
exercise have been shown to improve
symptoms of depression. Other possible
treatments for SAD include:
Light therapy. e patient sits or works
near a device called a light therapy box,
SEASONAL DEPRESSION IS A STRUGGLE, BUT HELP IS AVAILABLE. which gives o a bright light that mimics
natural outdoor light. “For some people,
I
n winter, the short hours of daylight as feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and this treatment is very e ective, but it’s best
can lead to dark moods. It’s a problems with appetite. “A couple of to consult your physician about the type of
common syndrome—thought to affect symptoms seem to be more common with device to use,” says Dr. Kaplan.
up to 10 million people in the U.S—known SAD, however,” says Dr. Kaplan. “People Cognitive behavioral therapy. This
as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. with SAD often crave sweets more, and kind of psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,”
“SAD is a kind of depression that happens are more tired and sleep more.” focuses on changing inaccurate or negative
at a specific time of year, usually in the As with regular depression, there is thinking in order to create new behaviors.
winter,” explains help for those who suffer from SAD. Antidepressant medication. “Generally
psychiatrist Gabriel speaking, antidepressants don’t start
Kaplan, MD, Chief WHY WINTER? working for four to six weeks,” says Dr.
Medical Officer of While the exact cause of SAD is unknown, Kaplan. “If your depression is seasonal,
the RWJBarnabas two hormones are implicated: melatonin, you may choose to take them for several
Health Behavioral the hormone that regulates sleep, and months and then go off them when
Health Network. serotonin, a key hormone for mood winter is over, or continue to take them
Symptoms of stabilization. “Melatonin tends to be for the rest of the year to prevent the
SAD are similar produced when there’s no sunlight,” reappearance of depression. It’s the
to those of clinical explains Dr. Kaplan. “More melatonin combined job of the doctor and patient to
GABRIEL KAPLAN, MD depression, such means people feel sleepier.” Conversely, decide the best course.”
To learn about options for getting help for depression, call the RWJBarnabas
Health Behavioral Health Network Access line at 800.300.0628.
Healthy Together | 16 | Winter 2020
System_SAD_Winter20_final.indd 16 12/11/19 2:54 PMO U T R
EXTRAORDINAIRE
IN MEMORY OF ONE WOMAN’S KINDNESS, GENEROSITY
RWJUH volunteer Barbara Wadsworth at her 100th birthday
celebration in September. Clockwise, from left: Barbara with
members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team, who gave
her a special jersey in honor of her 100th birthday; with the
RWJUH leadership team; and with Theresa Allen, manager
of the gift shop, where Barbara volunteered.
AND INDOMITABLE SPIRIT.
F
or 19 years, Barbara Wadsworth games and attended all of them. She also hospital sta members, gi shop
was a xture at the Robert Wood went to the U.S. Open with friends every volunteers, friends and her nephew—
Johnson University Hospital year. “Her motto was, eep moving’,” says attended. “She was thrilled,” says Pfei e.
(RWJUH) gi shop. very Wednesday, she eresa Allen, manager of the gi shop. People at the hospital spoke about how
came to the shop to serve as a cashier, price “When you think you can’t do something, important she was, and she was presented
items and help with the shop’s inventory. keep going.” with gi s, including coins from her birth
She le a favorable impression on every ot only was Barbara active, but she year ( ) and (she was an avid coin
person she met. “She loved interacting with was also a dedicated volunteer. “She never collector). Perhaps the most poignant
people,” recalls Tammy Pfei e, Director missed a week at the gi shop, and if I moment was when the Rutgers women’s
of olunteer Services at RWJUH. “People had a lot of inventory to sort through, she basketball team arrived and presented her
came to the gi shop on Wednesdays ust would volunteer to come in and help out an with a ersey signed by the team with “ ”
to see her. ey wanted to talk with her.” extra day,” recalls Allen. “I would say, ou on it. “She put it on and never took it o ,”
Sadly, Barbara passed away on October can go home now,’ but she would stay.” She recalls Allen. e team also announced that
— ust a few weeks a er the hospital was no-nonsense and direct, and she had a they wanted her to be an honorary coach at
threw her an unforgettable surprise th great sense of humor, says Allen. “When she every game.
birthday party. saw me, she would oke, Here comes the Barbara was a role model, says Allen. “I
helicopter,’” says Allen. “I miss her terribly. always told her, When I nish growing up,
“KEEP MOVING” My Wednesdays are not the same.” I want to be ust like you.’” Indeed, hospital
Few people realized Barbara’s age because On September , a birthday sta members couldn’t help but adore her,
she was so independent. She cut her own celebration was held in Barbara’s honor says Pfei e. “We’re grateful that we had
grass, cooked, cleaned, opened and closed in the hospital’s atrium. It was a surprise the bene t of her service, wisdom and
her pool, and shoveled snow. A former party, and about people—including personality for almost two decades,” she says.
physical education professor and instructor
at Syracuse University and Rutgers
University’s Douglass College, Barbara was To learn about volunteering at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital,
passionate about sports. She had season visit www.rwjbh.org/volunteer-opportunities-at-rwjuh.
tickets to the Rutgers women’s basketball
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | RWJBH.ORG/NEWBRUNSWICK | 17
NB_Vounteer_Winter20_final.indd 17 12/13/19 12:59 PMINTENSIVE
CARE ON
WHEELS
TWO CUSTOM AMBULANCES PROVIDE
SPECIALIZED TREATMENT AND COMFORT
FOR CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN.
Healthy Together | 18 | Winter 2020
NB_Foundation_Winter20_final.indd 18 12/13/19 12:59 PMI
The ambulances feature child-friendly designs as
t’s around midnight on a weeknight well as equipment for treating pediatric patients,
such as child-sized blood pressure cuffs and
as an ambulance decorated with syringe pumps that deliver pediatric dosages.
pictures of smiling dogs and children
pulls up to a New Jersey hospital. Within
minutes, a wailing toddler is transported
out of the hospital on a stretcher and
placed in the ambulance, her worried pediatric orthopedists, for example, so if
mother trailing behind her. An Emergency a child has a broken bone, the physician
Medical Technician (EMT) gently touches is not able to set it,” says Calvert. One
her shoulder. “Mom, I think it would be ambulance is usually on the road, while the
better if you sat up front—we’ve found that other waits at the hospital for backup.
children this age tend to get more upset if Calvert has ridden in the ambulance
their parents are with them in the back,” many times herself and has witnessed
he explains. When the mother hesitates, he firsthand the benefits of the vehicle’s
leads her toward the back of the ambulance, specialized care. Two years ago, she was
where the sounds of Elmo singing can be transporting a 16-year old boy who had
heard. “See, she’s not even crying—we have sta the vehicles work throughout BMSCH. an acute change in mental status and
the TV on and she’s focused on Elmo,” he “Some of the team members have worked was diagnosed with an arteriovenous
reassures her. e mother smiles and nods, at BMSCH for well over a decade,” says malformation (abnormal blood vessels)
and the rest of the team—composed of a Calvert. “ ey are compassionate and highly after he stumbled out of his high school
Registered Nurse, respiratory therapist and trained in the care of critically ill pediatric locker room confused and disoriented.
physician—climb into the ambulance. e patients. ey listen to what parents have to He required emergency surgery that was
team embarks on their journey to Bristol- say, realizing that parents know their child not available at the hospital he was taken
Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) best. It’s all about making the experience less to, so he was transferred to BMSCH.
at Robert Wood Johnson University stressful for the entire family.” Many weeks later, Calvert assisted in
Hospital (RWJUH), where the toddler will e newest ambulance was funded by his transfer to Children’s Specialized
be treated by the pediatric specialty team. proceeds from the RWJUH Annual olf Hospital for rehabilitation. “I recently
Outing, which was held at Metedeconk saw him walking into the hospital with
EASING THE FEARS OF ILL ational olf Club in June . e vehicles his father for a follow-up appointment,
CHILDREN feature child-friendly designs, such as and it brought tears to my eyes to see
While being transported in an ambulance butter ies, pets and people, as well as a D D how far he had come,” she recalls. “It’s
to the hospital is scary for anyone, it’s player so kids can watch their favorite videos. incredible to know that the care we
especially frightening for children. But over ach vehicle o ers pediatric patients access provided may have meant the difference
the last years, BMSCH at RWJUH has to the capabilities and technologies you’d nd between life and death for him.”
made pediatric patients less anxious with in a Pediatric ICU setting—advanced oxygen
customized pediatric transport ambulances. and air delivery systems, cardiac monitors
Every year, more than 1,000 critically ill and de brillators, ventilators, intravenous
children, from newborn to age 21, are catheters, child-sized blood pressure cu s,
transferred from hospitals around the state syringe pumps that deliver pediatric dosages,
to BMSCH. Patients range from medically specialized equipment for premature infants
fragile newborns who require immediate, and a neonatal transport isolette that has
lifesaving surgery and tots nursing a broken been mounted to a stretcher. Each vehicle’s
bone a er a bad tumble to high school stretcher is equipped with a portable -point
The 2020 Annual Golf Outing
students with medical emergencies. harness restraint system that serves small
will be held on June 16 at
ere are two fully equipped pediatric/ patients for safe transport. ere’s also a large Montclair Golf Club in West
neonatal transport ambulances, one of which cab so a parent can ride to the hospital with Orange. For more information
was replaced by a brand-new model in 2019. his or her child. or to support programs at
“ e team is in house / , ready at all times Robert Wood Johnson University
of the day or night, to transport critically ill LIFESAVING CARE Hospital and The Bristol-Myers
pediatric patients,” says Sherry . Calvert, e ambulance travels around the state Squibb Children’s Hospital, visit
BS , CCR , Pediatric Transport Program daily picking up kids from local hospitals www.rwjuhgiving.org or
Manager at BMSCH. e team of physicians, that don’t have pediatric specialty services call 732.937.8750.
nurses, respiratory therapists and EMTs that to treat them. “Many hospitals don’t have
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital | RWJBH.ORG/NEWBRUNSWICK | 19
NB_Foundation_Winter20_Rev1.indd 19 12/16/19 10:16 AMYou can also read
