Raritan Bay Medical Center Lab Receives Accreditation

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, April 6, 2010…Raritan Bay Medical Center’s (RBMC) Perth Amboy laboratory has been awarded accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on the results of a recent comprehensive on-site inspection.

“Accreditation by the College of American Pathologists is the gold standard of excellence for clinical laboratories. Their nationally recognized accreditation process includes an on-site inspection as well as mandatory participation in ongoing proficiency testing,” said Dr. Sidney Kress, chair, department of pathology, Raritan Bay Medical Center. “It validates what our physicians already know; the exceptional quality of work done by our laboratory technicians.”

The CAP laboratory accreditation program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program. CAP is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The laboratories at RBMC’s Perth Amboy and Old Bridge locations have held full CAP accreditation for more than 30 years, one of the longest accreditation records in New Jersey. In addition, all of the pathologists at the medical center have demonstrated their competence through board certification by the American Board of Pathology. The combination of independent national accreditation and specialty board certification is widely viewed as one of the hallmarks of quality in all branches of medicine.

Inspectors examine the records and quality control of the laboratory for the preceding two years, as well as the education and qualifications of the total staff, the adequacy of facilities, equipment, safety and management to determine how well the laboratory is serving patients.

RBMC’s Old Bridge and Perth Amboy laboratories will perform more than 800,000 test procedures in 2010.  “Patients can trust that Raritan Bay Medical Center’s laboratories provide superior, timely and accurate lab services,” said Dr. Kress. “There’s an awful lot that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that this happens.”

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Follow-Up Care is Essential after Breast Cancer Treatment
-Medical Center Now Provides Support Group Meetings Weekly and Monthly in Woodbridge-

WOODBRIDGE, NJ, April 21, 2010… Once breast cancer treatment has ended, follow-up care is very important. Maintaining ongoing communication with your oncologist and surgeon and scheduling regular appointments is vital.

“It is important to continue to perform self breast exams on the unaffected side, and even if you have had a mastectomy and reconstruction, perform self checks of the skin and surrounding area. Your physician will determine how you should be monitoring the unaffected breast in addition to the self exams. Between medical visits, watch for any changes in your body,” says Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Beth Rothman, MSPT, M.Ed., CLT. “If you have had any lymph nodes removed, watch for any signs of swelling in the arm on the side of your operation. Also, be aware that you should have no pain or difficulty moving the shoulder on the operated side after the surgical site has healed. If you notice any of these problems, physical therapy is available to treat and correct most of these problems.”

Coordinate any additional visits to gynecologists and primary care physicians for routine physicals with your oncologist. This can reduce duplication of blood tests. Also, women taking adjuvant hormonal therapy should discuss the side effects with their oncologist and alert their physicians should any adverse reactions develop.

Rothman is the program leader for Raritan Bay Medical Center’s new and free weekly and monthly breast cancer support programs at the medical center’s Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge, 740 Route 1 North, Iselin. A workshop for those newly diagnosed that addresses ways to help participants get through the upcoming treatments as easily as possible is held every Wednesday, 9 to 10 a.m. A stage III and beyond group, under the direction of a licensed social worker, is held every second Tuesday of the month, 6 to 7 p.m., and every fourth Tuesday a survivor network group is held 6 to 7 p.m. for people at any stage of treatment or recovery.

The mission of all programs is to create a welcoming environment for attendees so they may learn important information about maintaining good health after breast cancer, available support resources and create relationships to promote shared experience. Rothman has over 25 years experience as a physical therapist, is a certified lymphedema therapist who specializes in breast cancer rehabilitation and has undergone treatment for breast cancer. “Take care of your emotional and physical well-being. Make this a priority in your life,” says Rothman. “Avoid the tendency to compare your treatment plan and outcome with other breast cancer patients. Every diagnosis is a little different.”

Registration is required for the groups, call 732.362.3860.  For more information about the Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge click here.

In summary Rothman says that; during regular breast self-exams after breast cancer treatment watch for symptoms such as:
•    Changes in your breasts, including new lumps in your breasts or chest.
•    Bone pain or tenderness that does not go away.
•    Skin rashes, redness or swelling.
•    Shortness of breath or chest pain.
•    Persistent abdominal pain.
•    Unexplained weight loss of 5 lbs or more.

Foot Care Tips to Prevent Wounds
-RBMC Provides Tips during April, National Foot Health Awareness Month-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, April 21, 2010… Approximately five million Americans suffer with chronic wounds on their feet and lower legs that don’t respond to standard medical treatment. But, the best wound treatment is preventing wounds in the first place. “When the actual wound is there, half the battle has been lost,” says Michael Sears, DPM, podiatrist and director of Raritan Bay Medical Center’s (RBMC) Central Jersey Wound Care Center. “Preventive care can be as simple as checking your feet every day for red marks, cuts or bruises.” In recognition of National Foot Health Awareness Month, Dr. Sears suggests making the following five foot-care practices part of your routine:

• Inspect your feet daily. Look carefully for blisters and calluses as well as sores and cuts, especially between toes. “If it’s hard for you to examine your feet because of arthritis, obesity, or eyesight problems, put a mirror on the floor to help you get a good look or have someone else do a daily check,” says Dr. Sears.
• Take special care of your feet every day. Wash your feet with warm, not hot, water daily. Don’t soak your feet. Dry them well, especially between the toes. “Gently file corns and calluses with a pumice stone after you wash your feet,” says Dr. Sears. “Keep your toenails trimmed to the shape of your toe, filing the edges with an emery board.”
• Get the right shoes. Going barefoot increases the chance you’ll injure your feet, so always wear slippers or shoes and socks. Make sure your shoes fit well. “A podiatrist can fit you with shoe inserts, called orthotics, that provide extra support for your feet and legs,” says Dr. Sears. “Your health insurance may cover the price of special shoes to cradle feet that have changed shape.”
• Get foot exams. “At the very least, everyone with type 2 diabetes should have an initial foot exam with a podiatrist to evaluate their nerves, circulation and anything in their foot structure that could predispose them to problems down the line,” says Dr. Sears. “This includes bunions, corns and hammertoes.” Ask your doctor to look at your feet at every diabetes checkup.
• Exercise — but gently. Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of diabetes care — for keeping blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in check. If you’re worried about foot injuries, talk to your doctor about the right exercise for you. Swimming, biking, yoga, and tai chi are among the exercises that are easy on your feet.

Diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, venous disease, pressure ulcers, traumatic injury and any condition that compromises circulation can impair the body’s natural healing process and contribute to wound development. Some medications can also interfere with the healing process. These conditions may cause wounds to be unresponsive to standard treatments; causing pain, infection, lost function and even the need for amputation.

For those who have a stubborn wound that won’t heal, preventing them from being as active as they would like, it may be time from them to visit RBMC’s Central Jersey Wound Care Center. The Center’s clinical staff develops individualized treatment plans for each patient based on the types and locations of their wounds. Patients with chronic wounds may qualify for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment that delivers pressurized oxygen to the wound site and speeds up the healing process.

For more information about services or to make an appointment, call 1-888-HEALING or click here.

Raritan Bay Medical Center Offers Online Childbirth Education
-First Central New Jersey Hospital to Offer Online Childbirth Education-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, April 22, 2010… Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC), with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, recently became the first medical center in Central New Jersey to provide an online childbirth education class for expectant mothers and fathers. The program is an alternative for those parents who cannot attend conventional childbirth classes due to time constraints, scheduling conflicts or mandatory bed rest. Even if parents are considering an epidural the program has value as it provides important information concerning the process of labor, what can be done before the mother receives the epidural, postpartum facts and care for newborns.

The online class is an interactive, web-based program that includes animated illustrations and videos. It can be viewed on a PC or Mac. High speed internet access is advised for optimal performance but dial up access will work as well. Once registered, couples will receive an access code, accompanying manual and educational materials. The program is available to parents whenever they have the time to take the class for up to six weeks after receiving the access code and can be taken as many times as needed. RBMC’s clinical and technical support staff contact information is provided as part of the program to answer questions and provide support.

The cost for the program is $75. For more information about RBMC’s online childbirth education visit the hospital’s website www.rbmc.org, email cbirthed@rbmc.org or call 732.324.5300.

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