COMMUNITY CALENDAR

AUGUST 2016

An Award-Winning Staff of
Nurses Makes the Difference

hink back to the last time you

were in a hospitalwhether it
was you or a loved one
lying in the bed. What
caregivers did you see
most often? Hands down
you probably saw nurses
more often than the rest
of the healthcare provider team.

So you might not be surprised

to learn that national research
into hospital care now connects
the dots between good patient care
and a focus on high quality nursing care.
We put a great amount of effort into
making sure we are building a very
professional, qualified nursing force,
says Linda Carroll, RNC, MSN, chief
nursing officer and vice president of
Patient Care Services at Saint Peters
University Hospital. Not only does that
help us improve patient care, it helps us
attract more high quality nurses. That
results in even better care.
Top of the world
Proof of its successful focus on nursing,
Saint Peters recently became only the
fifth hospital out of 430 hospitals in the
world to earn Magnet recognition five
times in a row from the American Nurses
Credentialing Center.
Saint Peters first received Magnet
recognition in 1998.
The Magnet program is very intense,
Carroll says. And during the 18 years
weve been a part of it, it has become
more and more detailed. But each time,
our nurses demonstrate, with both
examples and statistics, why we deserve
this recognition. Its important to us,
because its important to our patients.
The Magnet survey covers more than
90 areas and includes an on-site visit
by nursing experts. It also focuses on all
levels of nursing, including nursing care
at bedside and nursing leadership. With
such a wide reach, patients at Magnet
hospitals receive important health
benefits, compared to other hospitals.

From left: Shannel Kane, RN, Wilhelmina Ungco, CCRN;
Lynda Bern, RN; Karen Nunn, RN; and
Aaron Freeman, BC-RN.

What does Magnet designation

mean for you?
The Magnet designation signifies that a hospital
focuses on excellence in nursing. This designation,
in turn, gives patients an easy way to identify
where they are more likely to get good care. And
it has become the gold standard for hospitals. As
an example of why, research shows that patients
who receive care in Magnet hospitals are more
likely to have a shorter hospital stay, are less likely
to need intensive care, and rate their satisfaction
with care much higher than patients at other
hospitals. Specific research published recently also
shows that patients who receive surgery in Magnet
hospitals also have much better results, according to JAMA Surgery, the journal of the American
Medical Association (January 2016).

Saint Peters. Were the ones to

track changes in your health and
ask you about your comfort.
Were also the ones who
circle back to your doctor,
to share updates and
recommend next steps
based on our training
and our personal knowledge
of you.
So bedside nurses are likely
to first notice issues with their
specific patients, and develop
solutions for the variety of
challenges that can affect patients
throughout the hospital.
The Magnet survey also encourages
nurses to share innovations with
others. The nursing staff at Saint
Peters hosts education sessions
every week, on the latest tools,
services, procedures, medicines
and equipment, Kane says. We
love learning about these options
and making sure we have the latest
information, because we can see
what a difference these can make to
a patient. For example, staff recently
introduced an automatic alarm that
alerts nurses when patients get out
of bed. For some patients, getting
up alone can result in a fall. But if
a patient forgets to call us, well still
appear by their side to help, Kane
says. Theyre actually delighted to
know how in touch we are.

Hospitals volunteer to undergo the regular, intense

surveys related to the Magnet program.

According to published research, these

include fewer falls, fewer bed sores
(pressure ulcers) that can get infected,
and even fewer deaths. This research
shouldnt be surprising, professionals say.
Innovations at the bedside
Staff nurses work very closely with patients and their families, as well as with
other caregivers. When youre a patient,
nurses are right by your side many times
every hour during their 12-hour shifts,
says Shannel Kane, RN, staff nurse at

What we do every day affects

patient care, Kane says. And the
Magnet program recognizes that.
Its not just a symbol we hang on the
wall. Its a reminder that every nurse in
the hospital is held to high standards of
patient care and that these standards
are important for our patients and their
families.
For more information about Saint
Peters University Hospital, visit
saintpetershcs.com.
This story first appeared in Central
Jersey Health & Life, the magazine
of Saint Peters Healthcare System.

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
NEED A DOCTOR? TO FIND A SAINT PETERS PHYSICIAN, CALL 1-855-SP-MY-DOC (1-855-776-9362). ONLINE SCHEDULING
WITH SELECT SAINT PETERS HEALTHCARE PHYSICIANS VIA ZOCDOC AT BOOKMYSPDOC.COM

zheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group

nt Peters Adult Day Center
New Mom Support Group

JULY 13, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

NOVEMBER 6, NOON 1:00 PM

AUGUST 2016
All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peters University Hospital, unless otherwise noted.
For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

CANCER
SUPPORT
Breast Cancer Support Group

AUGUST 1 & 15 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Registration required.
Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW
732-235-7011

COMMUNITY
MOBILE HEALTH
SERVICES
For more information about

PARENT
EDUCATION
For information, fees and registration, call Parent
Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise
indicated.

screenings and educational programs,

or the CMHS corporate flu shot program,
please call 732-745-8600, x8903.

Free Healthy Steps Exercise Class for

Cancer Survivors
TUESDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM
THURSDAYS, 10:00 AM 11:00 AM

Saint Peters Sports Medicine Institute

562 Easton Avenue, Somerset
Call 732-745-8570 to register. Must have medical
clearance from a physician.

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group

AUGUST 9, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

AUGUST 1 & 8, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM

Breastfeeding Class
AUGUST 13, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM

AUGUST 5, 11:00 AM 12:30 PM

Breastfeeding Support Group

AUGUST 5, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

AUGUST 12, 11:00 AM 2:00 PM

Highland Park Farmers Market, Highland Park

Marvelous Multiples
AUGUST 13, 20 & 28, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM

Bone Density Screening

AUGUST 3, 2:00 PM 3:30 PM

New Mom Support Group

AUGUST 5, NOON 1:00 PM

New Brunswick Senior Center, New Brunswick

Elijahs Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

Latinos with Cancer Support Group

AUGUST 13, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

AUGUST 16, 9:00 AM 10:30 AM

Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Barbara Hale, LCSW
732-235-7557

Postnatal Yoga and Exercise Class

(four-week sessions)

FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:15 PM

Kiddie Keep Well Camp, Edison

Senior campers only.

Registration required.

AUGUST 9, 11:00 AM 1:00 PM

Saint Peters University Hospitals Family Health

Center, 123 How Lane, New Brunswick
Highland Park Library, Highland Park

North Brunswick High School, North Brunswick

Autism Family Support Group

AUGUST 21, 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
877-886-9462

Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers
Support Group
AUGUST 9, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM
Saint Peters Adult Day Center
200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township
Rachel Kallish, CSW 609-655-6853

Bariatric Support Group

AUGUST 11, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM

Melissa Laffey, 732-745-8600, x8159

Bereavement Support Group

AUGUST 4 & 18, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
732-745-8565

Caregivers Support Group/Monroe

AUGUST 11, 1:30 PM 3:00 PM

Saint Peters Adult Day Center

200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township
Stephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, EdD, MSN, RN,
APRN-BC 609-655-2220

SHARE Support Group

(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth

or neonatal death)

AUGUST 18, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Irina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW
732-745-8522

Registration and doctors prescription required.

732-745-6667

Registration and a doctors prescription required.

732-745-6667

Diabetes Education Support Group

The Diabetes and Hypertension Center at Saint

Peters University Hospitals Family Health Center
123 How Lane, New Brunswick
Call 732-339-7672 for more information.

5:00 PM 8:00 PM

Sibling Class
AUGUST 13, 12:30 PM 1:30 PM

Community Mobile Health Services staff and

community health workers from The Diabetes and
Hypertension Center will provide screenings and
education

Presenter: Laura Vetter, RDN, CSO, CSP, nutritionist

Kiddie Keep Well Camp, Edison
Campers only.

PHYSICAL THERAPY CARE FROM

HEAD TO TOE
AUGUST 12, 7:30 PM

Presenter: Ann Hays, physical therapist

Clearbrook Adult Community, Monroe Township
Residents only.

ENGLISH AUGUST 9, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

SPANISH AUGUST 2, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

SAVE THE DATE

30TH ANNUAL SAINT PETERS

GOLF CLASSIC

Are you at risk for diabetes and

hypertension?
If you do not have insurance or
insufficient coverage to manage
chronic illnesses such as diabetes
and hypertension, call Saint Peters
Diabetes and Hypertension Center at
Saint Peters Family Health Center,
123 How Lane, New Brunswick, at
732-339-7672.

7 Acres Park, South River

CICLOVIA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
11:00 AM 4:00 PM

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS

SEMINAR
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
7:15 PM - 9:30 PM

Presenter: Anish Nihalani, MD, bariatric surgeon

For more information, and to register, call
Melissa Laffey, 732-745-8600, x8159.

EMS EDUCATION SERIES

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25
7:00 PM
TOPIC: SPORTS INJURIES

Call 732-745-8600, x6671 to register.

Free parking and free light dinner, CEUs.

SUMMER HEALTH
#GETHEALTHWSAINTPETERS
SKIN CANCER
SCREENING
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
10:00 AM 1:00 PM

Perth Amboy Senior Citizens Day

Our Lady of Fatima Church
Perth Amboy

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
12:30 PM 3:30 PM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
4:00 6:00 PM PM

Free makeovers. American Cancer Society program

for women undergoing cancer treatment.
Radiation Oncology Conference Room
Call 732-951-6303 to register.

TWINKLE TWINKLE NICU STAR

FASHION SHOW

BENEFITING THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE

CARE UNIT AT THE CHILDRENS
HOSPITAL AT SAINT PETERS
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 5:30 PM

View our interactive maternity tour, which includes pictures of our private labor and
delivery suites and our modern mother/baby units, at www.saintpetershcs.com/
MaternityTour to get an idea of what you can expect when you deliver at Saint Peters.
To schedule a tour, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579.

Rowland Park
Broadway Road, South Brunswick

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
9:00 AM - REGISTRATION
11:00 AM - SHOTGUN
THE RIDGE AT BACK BROOK, RINGOES

Call Saint Peters Foundation at 732-745-8542.

MATERNITY TOURS

6:00 PM 9:00 PM

Prepared Childbirth/Lamaze Classes

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY EVENINGS
(SERIES)
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (SINGLE DAY)

Childrens Nutrition Program

AUGUST 4, 10:00 AM

Gestational Diabetes
Self-Management Education
HELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

War Memorial Park

French Street and Jersey Avenue, New Brunswick

6:00 PM 9:00 PM

FREE COMMUNITY
LECTURES

Diabetes Self-Management Education

HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
3:00 PM 7:00 PM

WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Registration required.

DIABETES
EDUCATION*

Community Mobile Health Services staff will

provide screenings and education.

Municipal Building
Summerhill Road, Spotswood

Registration required.

AUGUST 30, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM

SAFETY IS PROMOTED AT
STREET FESTIVAL-STYLE GATHERINGS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

Prenatal Yoga and Exercise Class

(four-week sessions)

Health Fair
AUGUST 23, 4:00 PM 8:00 PM

SUPPORT
GROUPS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3
6:00 PM 9:00 PM

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings

AUGUST 5, 9:30 AM 10:30 AM

DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., Residences at Somerset,

Somerset

Living with Cancer Support Group

AUGUST 10 & 24, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

THE WELLNESS PROJECT:

WOMENS HEALTH
Presentations on health, fitness, meditation, sleep
and technology to inspire women.
Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center
Donation: $35; registration required.
All proceeds benefit Elijahs Promise Community
Soup Kitchen.
www.Elijahspromise.org

Baby Care
AUGUST 14, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM

Cancer Institute of New Jersey

732-235-6792

Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center

Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration
requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish.
Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Part of the nationwide Choose Your Cover

campaign
Middlesex Borough Pool, Middlesex
Residents only.

SUN DAMAGE SCREENING

USING THE DERMASCAN
MACHINE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
11:00 AM 12:30 PM

Kiddie Keep Well Camp, Edison

Campers only.

Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick

Call Saint Peters Foundation at 732-745-8542
for more information.

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking
it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

732-745-8600

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen

800-269-7508

www.saintpetershcs.com

| State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal center

| Affiliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

Major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences