HHC reports success
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) recently announced that infection rates in the intensive care units of its 11 hospitals city-wide are down for the third year in a row.
HHC said the infection rates have dropped dramatically since the launch of a patient safety program to reduce preventable deaths and unnecessary hospital stays.
The hospitals achieved a 90 percent reduction in the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and a 65 percent reduction in the rate of central line bloodstream infections among adult patients in intensive care units.
As part of the public hospital system’s transparency initiative to share voluntarily, information on hospital quality and safety with the public, the new 2008 rates are posted on the “HHC in Focus” section of their web site, www.nyc.gov/hhc, according to HHC President Alan D. Aviles.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates the cost of hospital-acquired infections to be as high as $27.5 billion each year.
“Our results are evidence that we are now winning the battle against common hospital acquired infections through increased vigilance, strict adherence to best clinical practices and our relentless focus on optimal hand hygiene,” Aviles said.
“The decline in infection rates represent more than 1,000 infections prevented and a savings of nearly $16 million in healthcare costs,” he added.
Change you can gaze upon
From now until April 26, Flushing Town Hall hosts “Change,” a simply named exhibition of works for and by the Queens community.
Visitors to the exhibition will have an opportunity to view works of art created by members of Long Island City Artists, Inc., which make visible the subject, effect and context of change.
Karen Fitzgerald, a board member of the Artist’s group said they were “pleased to present work that not only addresses this phenomenon, but assists viewers in understanding the multiple nuances of change.”
“We are delighted to partner with Long Island City Artists, Inc. to bring this intriguing exhibition with accompanying artist talks and studio visits to our gallery,” said Ellen Kodadek, Artistic Director for Flushing Town Hall.
Two “Salon Sunday – Interactive Conversations with Artists” are planned in conjunction with this exhibition at Town Hall.
On Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m., “Changes We See” will be discussed; on Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m. the topic will be “Invisible Change.”
A Studio Visit is planned for Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. where participants will meet at Flushing Town Hall and then go to studios of Long Island City Artists, Inc.
These events are free of charge.
Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The suggested donation is $5. For further information, visit www.flushingtownhall.org or call 718-463-7700, Ext. 260.
Benefit
There will be an event to benefit the family of stricken police officer Larry Hilsdorf, on Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Church Hall, located at 216th Street and 38th Avenue. Admission is $25, refreshments included; raffles and drawings will be held.
Town Hall 30th Gala
Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), the group that operates Flushing Town Hall, is marking their 30th Anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the renovation of their landmark home in Flushing with a Gala reception and concert.
The Gala will honor John Liu, President of Flushing-based Firstrade Securities; Peter Sarantos, Retail Market Manager, TD Bank; and Nobuko Cobi Narita, Founder and President of the Jazz Center of New York.
The event, On Tuesday, April 7 will include cocktails and International Food Tasting courtesy of restaurants Mulan and Ah Rhee Soo; Four Star Chef and international TV personality Chef Ashbell McElveen with southern delicacies; Kane’s Diner; Cascon Bakery, and more.
The award ceremony and concert featuring legendary jazz pianist Frank Owens, follow in the auditorium of the former Town Hall of Flushing, located at 137-35 Northern Boulevard.
Tickets are $200, $175 for FCCA members; Journal ad space is still available. Proceeds will offset recent budget cuts in government funding for the arts. Contributions are tax deductible.
For more information, call Betsy Enright at 718-463-7700, Ext. 229 or email benright@flushingtownhall.org.
Deadbeat tenant seminar
There are many lines of help for tenants in the city, but on the other side of the equation, times are tough on the multitude of small landlords, too.
The Civil Court of the City of New York is holding a video-conference Queens County Community Seminar, “My Tenant Owes Me Rent,” on Wednesday, March 25, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Room 404 at Queens Civil Court, 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica.
Topics to be covered are: how to start a non-payment case; what to bring to court to prove your case; how legal papers should be served and what to do if a tenant claims that court papers were improperly served or not served at all.
The seminar is free and open to the public.
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, the Civil Court is dedicated to providing access to fair and efficient justice, according to their web page. For more information, visit www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing.
Post a Comment