By: Kashif Siddiqi, MD

In the last decade the abuse of pain medications like OxyContin has remained at epidemic levels. This continued societal concern has prompted the Obama administration to seek legislation requiring doctors to undergo training before being permitted to prescribe powerful painkiller medications to patients. In many cases of chronic pain, however, interventional pain management techniques can successfully relieve pain without the use of powerful opioids such as oxycodone.

The most common sources of pain, aside from headache, are related to the musculoskeletal system: back pain anywhere from the neck to mid or low back, and joint pain such as in knees, shoulders, and hips. Even in some cases of headache, the inciting cause may be in the neck. In cases like these I believe interventional pain management treatment should be explored before considering narcotic prescription medications, which come with inherent risks, side effects, physical dependency and the potential for abuse. 

Interventional pain management specialists use a variety of advanced treatment options to successfully reduce chronic pain. In some cases of acute pain proper therapy, initiated early, may result in complete resolution of pain. The type of treatment used is dependent upon history and physical exam and diagnostic tests, which are used to accurately pinpoint the underlying source of pain. Diagnostic tests may include X-ray, EMG or nerve conduction tests, or MRI.  Available options range from local anesthesia nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, joint or trigger point injections to advanced techniques like spinal cord stimulation. The latter may be an option for those patients who have had back surgery but still have pain.

These therapeutic approaches, in many cases, alleviate the pain rather than masking it with prescriptions. For a very small percentage of patients prescription painkillers may be the best solution, but the majority of pain sufferers will benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to pain control. Through a combination of physical therapy, interventional pain management and judicious use of medications patients can resume their everyday activities instead of being limited by pain.

Dr. Siddiqi is board certified in interventional pain management and anesthesiology. His practice, Bay Pain Management, is located in the Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge, 740 Route 1 North, Iselin, NJ, 08830, and is affiliated with the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center. To make an appointment, call 732.734.1310.

-RBMC-

By: Jennifer Syrek, MD

Those twisted, bulging veins visible just beneath the surface of your skin are called varicose veins. They are a result of a disease called venous insufficiency or reflux. Varicose veins appear in the legs and occur when the valves that control blood flow do not work properly. Blood flows backward and pools in the veins, causing symptoms.

Symptoms of venous insufficiency include the development of varicose veins, leg heaviness, throbbing, swelling, discolored skin, blood clots in the surface veins and open wounds. Women are more likely than men to develop varicose veins. Other factors include a family history of varicose veins, history of blood clots, pregnancy and obesity. The symptoms of venous insufficiency worsen with sitting or standing in one position for extended periods of time. Leg elevation, exercise, weight control and compression stockings improve the symptoms.

People whose symptoms are not relieved by these lifestyle changes may benefit from surgical intervention. Currently there are minimally invasive techniques to treat venous insufficiency and varicose veins. I recommend VNUS® ablation of the problem veins. This outpatient procedure uses radiofrequency energy under ultrasound guidance to close the veins rather than remove them.

My patients are very satisfied with this minimally invasive procedure.  They are home the same day, have no incisions, have very little post-procedure pain and can return to normal activities within a few days.

Dr. Syrek is board certified in vascular surgery. She recently opened an office in the Medical Pavilion at Perth Amboy, at 516 Lawrie Street.  She has another office at 53 Main Street in Sayreville, NJ.  To make an appointment, call 732.738.7871.

-RBMC-

Raritan Bay Medical Center Offers Friends & Family and Hand-Only ^TM CPR to Public

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, June 30, 2011… When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, his or her survival can depend greatly on immediately receiving CPR. Unfortunately, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), less than a third of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location get that help, which can double their chance of survival. Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC), with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, is now offering two CPR education programs to the community, in cooperation with the AHA, in an effort to increase the chance that someone can help if an adult suddenly collapses.
            RBMC’s Stroke Center is providing a 90-minute Friends & Family CPR class available at the medical center or place of business. Participants receive a Friends & Family CPR take-home learning kit from the AHA, with a practice manikin, educational booklet and DVD. This kit makes learning the core skills of CPR easy, convenient and fun to share with the whole family. Classes may be scheduled by making a $25 donation per kit or family household to the AHA. For more information or to schedule a class call 732-324-5300. Groups of 20 or less are recommended. The class does not provide CPR certification.
            Professionals from RBMC’s Emergency Medicine department are providing free 15-minute Hands-Only^TM CPR Awareness and Practice Sessions, also available at the medical center or place of business. The sessions are designed to make participants confident in practicing Hand-Only^TM CPR, a life-saving measure almost anyone can do. For more information or to schedule sessions call 732-324-5393 or email Michelle Golba-Norek at mnorek@rbmc.org. Sessions do not provide CPR certification.

-RBMC-

About Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC)               
                A New Jersey state-designated primary stroke center, RBMC is a recipient of the American Stroke Association’s Get with the GuidelinesSM – Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award, recognizing the medical center’s success in implementing a high standard of stroke care and the American Heart Association Get with the GuidelinesSM – Heart Failure Gold Performance Achievement Award recipient, recognizing the optimal care of patients in 24 consecutive months.
RBMC, with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, is also one of less than two percent of hospitals nationally to achieve re-designation as a Magnet Hospital, recognizing nursing excellence, and is a three time recipient of the New Jersey Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield patient care quality award.
                Licensed for 501 beds with a medical staff of more than 500, RBMC provides medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, diagnostic imaging, laboratory and general and critical care, as well as adult behavioral health, emergency and interventional cardiac and same day surgery services.  A leader in cardiovascular care, RBMC is one of only ten New Jersey hospitals chosen to participate in a national Johns Hopkins University Medical Center demonstration project studying the benefits of providing elective angioplasty in hospitals without onsite cardiac surgery. The hospital’s Human Motion Institute is devoted to providing superior outcomes and patient satisfaction in all areas of musculoskeletal treatment and its newly launched Institute for Weight Loss at Old Bridge provides medical and surgical weight loss options.
                The medical center has several other specialty services including the Center for Wound Healing, Center for Sleep Medicine, Center for Women, Center for Continence and Pelvic Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Programs. RBMC’s Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge provides urgent care services without an appointment 365 days a year, an obstetrics and gynecology physician practice and outpatient physical therapy services.
RBMC is a major clinical affiliate of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network. For more information about services, visit www.rbmc.org. For a free physician referral call 1-800-DOCTORS.

Back-to-School & Sports Physicals Available at July 17 Event
-Woodbridge Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center and Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge Co-Sponsor Event-

WOODBRIDGE, NJ, June 15, 2011… Free health screenings for kids and adults; ‘If the Shoe Fits,’ balance and posture testing, sports injury prevention and safety tips and back-to-school and sports physicals, for a fee,  will be available Sunday, July 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA at the Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St. For more information call 1-800-DOCTORS.

Free screenings and information, provided by the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center and the Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge, include ‘If the Shoe Fits,’ (shoe fittings) balance and posture testing, sports injury prevention, becoming sports-ready at any age, as well as safety tips such as hydration on the athletic field, stretching, nutrition and more. Back to school and sport physicals for students will be available. The fee for school and sport physicals is $75 per student, and health insurance co-pays will be accepted.

“This is a great chance for our local families to meet with the skilled physicians and staff from Raritan Bay Medical Center and get direction on how to make the coming school year the healthiest and fittest year yet,” says Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac, whose Woodbridge Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is co-sponsoring the event.

-RBMC-

About the Woodbridge Mayor’s Wellness Campaign
The campaign champions community health by increasing opportunities for Woodbridge Township residents to participate in daily health and wellness initiatives and programs. By encouraging local business and community leaders to play a lead role in supporting local opportunities for active, healthy lifestyles, the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is at work making Woodbridge a statewide leader in community-based health interventions.

About the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center
The Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center is a unique program offering a comprehensive continuum of musculoskeletal care within a highly integrated orthopedic healthcare delivery network. This includes not only assessment, treatment, education and therapy services but prevention as well. Raritan Bay’s goal is to help each patient achieve maximum function and mobility as quickly and safely as possible, employing the latest medical techniques available to enhance the clinical team’s effectiveness. By combining the extensive clinical expertise of the medical center’s physicians with RBMC’s Magnet nurses and their compassionate Patient Family Centered Care Model treatment philosophy, RBMC has created a program known for its high-quality care and successful patient outcomes. Human Motion Institute services include:

• Spine Care
• Joint Care (Hip, Knee, Shoulder)
• Hand and Upper Extremity
• Sports Medicine
• Foot and Ankle
• Physical Therapy
• Conservative Spine / Pain Management

About the Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge
Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge provides high-quality, urgent non-emergency care, obstetrical/gynecological and physical therapy services. Urgent care, provided by a physician or nurse practitioner, is available with or without an appointment 365 days a year. The pavilion is the only urgent care provider in the Woodbridge area.

The pavilion’s clinicians are able to refer patients for on-site diagnostic imaging and preventive health screenings such as physicals, blood pressure, cholesterol, allergy and diabetes testing and vaccinations. As an added benefit they may refer patients who need specialty care, advanced diagnostic testing, or surgery to RBMC physicians, providing continuity of care. The 10,000-square-foot facility is also home to the physician practice Bay Obstetrics and Gynecology (another office is located in Sayreville) and a satellite office of the hospital’s physical therapy department; providing obstetrical/gynecological services for all stages of life and comprehensive physical therapy services respectively.

Raritan Bay Medical Center Provides Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

OLD BRIDGE and PERTH AMBOY, NJ, June 8, 2011… With summer almost here and hot weather in the forecast Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Medical Director of Emergency Services Dr. Dane Clarke provides the following tips to cope with hot weather.

General Tips

• Spend whatever time possible in air conditioned areas, even if only for a few hours each day.
• Ensure adequate food (light meals) and fluid intake. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, and see your physician about whether you need additional salt.
• Whenever possible, reduce activity levels in very hot weather.
• The elderly are particularly susceptible to the effects of heat, they or their caretakers should pay special attention to heat-related health tips.
• Young children under five years of age, especially less than one-year-old, are sensitive to heat’s effects, parents and caretakers should be careful not to overdress them, and to give them plenty of fluids.
• Wear a hat when outdoors Exercise early or late in the day
• Some pets can be affected by the heat. Ask your veterinarian for advice.
• In cases of health emergencies, you should call your physician, or visit your local hospital emergency room.

Specific Health Concerns

Heat Stroke (sunstroke) is a substantial rise in body temperature when the body cannot rid itself of excess heat
What to look for:

• skin very hot and dry (usually no sweat)
• very rapid onset
• dizziness, nausea, confusion, often unconsciousness

What to do:

• move the person to a cool area  
• lower body temperature AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
• immerse in or pour cool water over the person
• SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY – HEAT STROKE CAN BE FATAL

Heat Exhaustion is a mild form of shock from excess exposure to heat
What to look for:

• pale and clammy skin, profuse sweating
• body temperature close to normal
• headache, dizziness, fatigue, sometimes abdominal cramps

What to do:

•  move the person to a cool area
• make the person as cool as possible while preventing a chill (watch for shivering)
•  if the person is conscious, give cool water to drink
• seek medical attention as quickly as possible

Heat Rash (prickly heat) is a rash caused by blocked sweat ducts
What to look for:

•  skin rash
• tingling or prickling sensation where the rash is

What to do:

•  shower or wash frequently
• dry thoroughly
• change into dry clothing
• avoid exposure to heat until the rash is gone

Heat Cramps are painful muscle cramps resulting from profuse perspiration
What to look for:

• pale, moist skin with heavy sweating
• occasional nausea or faintness

 mild to severe cramps in the arms, legs, and/or abdomen from working in a hot environment

 What to do:  

• move the person to a cool area
• do not massage muscles
• if not nauseated, slowly give one or two glasses of a sport drink
• do not resume the activity which caused the cramps for at least 12 hours or the cramps may return

Heat Syncope is a loss of consciousness because of decreased blood flow to the heart and brain as the blood pools in the extremities
What to look for:

• sudden loss of consciousness
• person suddenly regains consciousness when lying down

 What to do:

• allow person to rest
• remove the person from the environment or activity which caused the person to lose consciousness
• Call 911

-RBMC-

Raritan Bay Medical Center Opens Renovated and Expanded Emergency Department
-The $1 Million Plus Project Adds 10 beds, Cutting-Edge Equipment and Amenities-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, December 16, 2010… As a vitally important, bustling and life-saving component of the medical center, Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) has made enhancing its emergency services a priority. To that end RBMC began a more than $1 million renovation project to expand and refurbish its Perth Amboy emergency department earlier this year, as part of the medical center’s ongoing growth and renewal program Vision 2011.

The medical center celebrated the 3,530 sq/ft. expansion’s opening December 16, which includes 10 additional patient beds and private patient rooms, new state-of-the-art digital patient monitoring and “see-thru CPR” defibrillator equipment, an expanded Fast Track area (providing speedy care for less serious emergencies) and more physical space enhancing the comfort level for patients and their loved ones.

“I’m extremely proud of the work that went into enhancing our emergency services at Perth Amboy. The additional beds, amenities and cutting-edge equipment will enable our expert physicians and Magnet nurses to triage and care for our patients more efficiently and will streamline treatment processes to speed up care,” said Michael R. D’Agnes, president and CEO of Raritan Bay Medical Center. “Ultimately, our goal is to be the medical destination of choice for the community we serve.”

The new defibrillators may be used in conjunction with RBMC’s Thermosuits, inflatable cocoon-like non-invasive devices that reduce body temperature rapidly, allowing for an extremely effective resuscitation bundle, enhancing RBMC clinicians’ ability to save lives.

The expansion also includes a new emergency department-dedicated elevator allowing easy and rapid transfer of patients, to be admitted, to patient floors and to the medical center’s cardiac catheterization laboratories and stroke unit. The new bedside monitoring equipment standardizes patient data with all departments and, in the near future, will allow caregivers to acquire 12-lead EKG heart data and electronically share with the cardiology department, through the medical center’s computer-based Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), giving cardiologists the data more quickly.

The patient focused and multifaceted Vision 2011 plan will continue in the coming months. As part of this plan, RBMC opened the renovated Dr. Sam. Gordon Berkow Maternity Pavilion in Perth Amboy, physician offices in the Medical Pavilion at Perth Amboy and the Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge, which provides urgent non-emergency care, obstetrical/gynecological physician practice and physical therapy services. Urgent care, provided by a physician or nurse practitioner, is available with or without an appointment 365 days a year, for common illnesses; colds, sore throat, eye, ear and sinus infections and chronic conditions; asthma, allergies, digestive disorders and injuries suffered at home or at work and more.

In the coming months the Old Bridge emergency department’s Fast Track area will be expanded to match the already large waiting room and patient care accommodations.

-RBMC-

Off-Duty Raritan Bay Medical Center Nurse,
Perth Amboy First Responders Save Motorists

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, November 24, 2010… In the early morning hours of October 22, Perth Amboy’s emergency first-responders; fire and police departments and Raritan Bay Medical Center’s MICU and EMS units, arrived at the scene of violent head-on collision accident and truck fire on the Outerbridge Crossing, Route 440, from Staten Island.  Vehicular accidents of this type, involving fire and the potential for explosion, make locating and moving drivers and passengers to safety the priority.  When the responders arrived and as they were assessing the situation spilled fuel from the truck ignited and began making its way from the truck to the pinned car prompting everyone to quickly get into action.

Coincidentally, registered nurse Elena Milano from the medical center’s special care unit was also traveling near the Outerbridge at the time of the accident. Despite the danger she and passenger Michael Sterling had stopped and pulled the truck driver to safety, away from the fire before the responders arrived. “I saw the man trapped and I just reacted immediately and used my experience as a nurse to assess the situation and respond as fast as I could,” said Milano. This left just the car’s driver trapped in his vehicle.

Fire Lieutenant Edward Mullen and firefighter Eric Kayser used a fire extinguisher and dry absorbent in an attempt to prevent, or at least slow, the burning fuel from reaching the car. At the same time, Raritan Bay Medical Center Emergency Medical Technicians Gary Batista and Matt Redding, through physical force and sheer determination, were able to gain access and get the driver to safety. Moments later the burning fuel reached the car and engulfed it in flames. “I saw the burning fuel rolling down the highway toward us, I knew if that fire made it to us we were in a lot of trouble. So I focused on getting the patient out of the car as fast as I could,” said Batista.

“Gary Batista is a veteran EMT and knew the risks he was taking were great, but he also realized if he didn’t act quickly the driver wouldn’t survive with the fire rapidly approaching. Redding hopped the barrier to help Elena with the truck driver, and get him ready for transport. It was a tremendous rescue effort by all of the responders on Route 440 that night,” said Mike Semple, director of emergency medical services and emergency preparedness at Raritan Bay Medical Center.

Both the truck and car drivers were treated at the scene and taken to the trauma unit at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Considering the nature of the accident and subsequent fire, Perth Amboy’s first responders and specifically the intervention of Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Milano, Batista and Redding are credited with saving lives in what could have been a fatal accident.

With both drivers safe, the Perth Amboy fire department, with assistance from the Port Authority Police department’s foam unit, was able to rapidly extinguish the burning vehicle and burning fuel without any additional damage or safety issues.

-RBMC-

Raritan Bay Medical Center Receives $12,500 Grant from Northfield Bank Foundation
-The grant benefits the Center for Women, a Pink Ribbon Facility^TM-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, June 30, 2011… Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC), recently received a $12,500 grant from Northfield Bank Foundation in support of the medical center’s Center for Women, a Hologic designated Pink Ribbon Facility^TM.

“Our strong partnership with Northfield Bank Foundation speaks volumes about their commitment to giving back to the communities which they serve,” said Executive Vice President, Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Nancy Barone.

The medical center recently opened a new Center for Women as part of the new Outpatient and Imaging Suites at RBMC’s Perth Amboy hospital. The new center complements the medical center’s longstanding Old Bridge location. Both provide diagnosis and treatment for women’s specific needs, but the Perth Amboy location is one of only a few New Jersey sites providing both breast MRI imaging and MRI-guided biopsy.  Additionally, women’s healthcare company Hologic recently recognized RBMC as a Pink Ribbon Facility^TM certifying that the medical center provides its patients the best possible imaging technology for the earliest possible detection of breast cancer. To schedule an appointment, call 732-324-5270. For more information, visit www.rbmc.org.

The Northfield Bank Foundation was founded in November 2001 with the purpose of supporting not-for-profit organizations that help improve the quality of life in the communities in which Northfield Bank does business; specifically Middlesex and Union Counties in New Jersey, Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York.  To date, the Foundation has provided $1,850,000 in funding to local not-for-profits.  “We are proud to partner with Raritan Bay Medical Center once again,” said Diane Senerchia, Northfield Bank Foundation.

-RBMC-

About the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation
Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation was established in 1985. Its mission is to raise funds in support of Raritan Bay Medical Center by working closely with community groups, the business sector and individuals. Over the past 18 months, donors have contributed $1.5 million to the Foundation. In today’s challenging economic climate, fundraising is critical to the medical center’s continued investments in state-of-the-art technology, clinical innovations, facility modernizations, community outreach and other vital programs that enrich the health of area residents. Thanks to continued philanthropic support, the RBMC Foundation has funded many important projects including the medical center’s ongoing growth and renewal plan.

Follow Live Surgery on RBMC’s Twitter Account December 17

At a time when online social media is becoming an increasingly popular and effective means of communication, Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) is embracing the technology to deliver meaningful health programs to the community and thereby remain a trusted health information resource for the community.

On December 17, a knee surgery performed by orthopedic surgeon Jonathan Pine, DO, Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center, will be TWEETED live on Twitter and will be observed in RBMC’s Old Bridge surgical suites by St. Joseph High School (Metuchen, NJ) student Chirag Patel. Patel will be ‘tweeting’ the surgical procedure’s clinical activities to his fellow Medical Club students in the high school’s computer lab. Any Twitter member will also be able to follow the surgery locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Several classes at Perth Amboy High School will also be following along.

Patel participated in RBMC’s week-long, annual Healthcare Connection program this past spring, the program allows local high school students interested in pursuing a medical career to shadow clinicians at the medical center, and was interested in the opportunity. RBMC and agency partner Verasoni (Fairfield, NJ) plans to strategically deliver meaningful programs via social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook in the coming months to provide the community with a go-to resource for general health information and clinical education. Raritan Bay Medical Center will be the first medical center in the tri-state area and one of a handful from around the nation to “tweet” a surgery.

Video and images of the surgical procedure will be available for upload at www.box.net user name: raritanbaymc.media@gmail.com / password: raritanbay

Friday, December 17 – procedure starts at 1 p.m.

Follow at www.twitter.com/rbmchealth

About the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center
A unique program offering a comprehensive continuum of musculoskeletal care within a highly integrated orthopedic healthcare delivery network, the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center provides education, assessment, treatment and therapy services as well as preventative services to help patients achieve maximum function and mobility as quickly and safely as possible, while employing the latest medical techniques available. The institute’s clinical professionals are committed to the consistent pursuit of advancements in care, which are the most efficient and effective.

By combining the extensive clinical expertise of the medical center’s physicians with RBMC’s Magnet nurses and their compassionate Patient Family Centered Care Model treatment philosophy, Raritan Bay has created a program known for its high-quality care. Specialties include: Spine Care, Joint Care (Hip, Knee, Shoulder), Hand and Upper Extremity, Sports Medicine, Foot and Ankle and Physical Therapy.

For more information, call Human Motion Institute Manager Maryann Finney, RN, at 732-324-4877.

Raritan Bay Medical Center Stands Prepared for Heavy Snow

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, January 11, 2011… Major weather outlets are predicting significant snowfall for Central New Jersey over the next 24 hours. Heavy snowfall presents challenges and requires hard work for everyone; homeowners, businesses and municipalities as they all dig themselves out from a winter storm.

But for hospitals, snow removal, maintaining accessibility, preparing for potential power disruption and staff attendance is of utmost importance. This is true at Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) where multiple response plans for significant winter storms and heavy snowfall are in place to ensure that even during bad weather; it’s business as usual.

The following summarizes the major activities RBMC takes to ensure patient care is unaffected by inclement weather:

Snow Removal

• RBMC owns snow removal equipment, de-icing supplies and its maintenance and construction staff stand ready to clear snow from both Old Bridge and Perth Amboy locations.
• RBMC owns snow removal equipment, de-icing supplies and its maintenance and construction staff stand ready to clear snow from both Old Bridge and Perth Amboy locations.
• Additionally, the medical center maintains agreements with snow removal contractors who prioritize clearing the hospital’s inlets, parking and walkway areas.

Staffing

• Staff within five miles of both facilities may request to be picked up from home in four-wheel drive vehicles by RBMC’s security and transportation departments.
• The admitting department will work with the supervisors to consolidate patients as much as possible, freeing up staff to be reassigned if necessary.
• RBMC supervisors working nights, days and evenings are experienced in handling inclement weather situations and ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Administrative supervisors will re-assign or float necessary patient care staff as needed.
• Sleepover areas for essential staff are designated in case travel isn’t possible.

Supplies

• Both Old Bridge and Perth Amboy have backup generators with a significant amount of fuel in case of power outage.
• Surplus food and other supplies are stored for patients and staff.
• Extra linen, medications and clinical supplies have been stockpiled in anticipation of inclement weather.

Patient Information

• Families may continue to call the hospital’s main numbers and ask for patient information for information about loved ones, or if they are aware of the nursing unit, they may call directly.

The goal of all inclement weather activities is to ensure that patient care and safety is unaffected, emergency medical situations can be handled effectively and that regular hospital operations continue.

-RBMC-