Public Employee Press

HHC: New York’s best kept secret
With a state-of-the-art cancer facility in Queens and new birthing suites at Harlem Hospital HHC facilities now offer health care that is just as good or better than the private sector

By ALFREDO ALVARADO
For many New Yorkers the thought of having to check into a city hospital is not very comforting. That outdated attitude was fostered partly by the relentless attacks leveled at the Health and Hospitals Corp. by the Guiliani administration. When the union fought off his attempts to shutter and privatize Coney Island and other city hospitals, the mayor did his best to damage their reputation and steer patients to the private sector.

But according to a recent survey by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, today those same city hospitals rank among the best in the nation.

“People don’t realize how well these municipal hospitals are working and the quality of services that they offer,” said Albert Willingham, 2nd vice president of Health Services Employees Local 768 and chair of the Joint Labor/Management Committee at Queens Hospital Center. “I don’t even think many union members know this.”

With major renovations completed or well underway at several HHC facilities, word is spreading about the excellent care available at city hospitals. At the Queens hospital, the dreary facade of the nearly 100 year-old building has been given a complete facelift. Inside the center, which serves the communities of Southeast and Central Queens, there is a brand new state-of-the-art facility for cancer patients.

“Everyone who comes to this hospital receives the latest treatment available,” said Soraya Yousoff, a member of Local 768 and a Social Work Supervisor in the hospital’s cancer center. “We offer the same quality of service and care as hospitals like Columbia and Sloan-Kettering.”

In addition to the most innovative medical treatment available, patients also have easy access to a wide variety of cancer support groups at the hospital. For women the “Look Good, Feel Better,” group has volunteers from cosmetic companies who teach patients how to apply make-up and maintain good skin care. This is important, because certain medications and radiation treatments tend to have an adverse effect on the skin. Smoking cessation, support groups for men with prostrate cancer, family and patient support groups for Spanish-speaking patients, and a resource center fully equipped with computers are all available for the patients.

Chemotherapy specialist
The QCC also has a pharmacist specially trained to prepare chemotherapy drugs and provide its patients the latest in medication and management for different types of cancer — some of which could not be treated in the past. Outpatients get their chemotherapy treatments in a spacious lounge-like area with small television sets above each chair.

The center also offers top-grade laboratory services. It does blood work on the premises, yielding immediate results for the physicians and speeding care to patients, who can be quickly prepared to receive radiation or chemotherapy treatments.

“I really enjoy working here,” said Dena Roberts, a Patient Care Associate and member of Local 420. Willingham also credits the amicable relationship that hospital management and the union have developed for some of the recent changes. “We’ve been able to have some input,” said Willingham. “All of the locals have come together, and we speak with one voice.”

Facilities of excellence are springing up throughout the HHC hospital system.

On Sept. 8, Harlem Hospital Center unveiled five beautiful birthing bedroom suites. The stylish rooms feature a cozy home-like atmosphere, complete with a full kitchen, flat-screen televisions with Internet access, sofa beds and a whirlpool tub in each private bathroom. The suites are larger than many Manhattan studio apartments, but these facilities are designed for more than luxury or comfort.

“The Harlem Hospital Birthing Suite concept is one of the key service interventions that can reduce the incidence of infant mortality over the next three years in central Harlem,” said Mario Drummonds, executive director of the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Network.

The birthing center offers comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care, including social work services, 24-hour telephone access, diagnostic testing (including ultrasound, non-stress tests) and classes on child birthing, breastfeeding, nutrition and parenting. GYN services and an array of pediatric support services are all available.

More suites next year
The renovation of the hospital’s birthing center was undertaken with the financial support of $1.4 million in funding from Congressman Charles B. Rangel and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields. According to Drummonds, 3,000 to 4,000 babies a year were once born at Harlem Hospital. Over the last couple of years, the number has dwindled to about 1,000 annually. In the next phase of the reorganized labor and delivery unit, five more suites will be added to the birthing center during the early months of 2004.

To expand and improve HHC’s facilities, DC 37 has fought for funding through the political system and worked closely with the hospitals to train and upgrade members’ skills.

“Our locals provide these forward-looking institutions with the single most important component of top-quality hospital treatment,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, “dedicated and caring employees.”