On June 6, 2019, the Montefiore Joint Replacement Center at the Wakefield Campus achieved Joint Commission Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. This designation means that Wakefield’s Joint Replacement Center is now one of only eight facilities in New York State to obtain this advanced certification, recognizing the high-quality healthcare provided with an emphasis on patient safety.

This Certificate of Distinction from The Joint Commission is based on a review of compliance with national standards, clinical guidelines and outcomes of care. Congratulations to all!

Montefiore was awarded the Healthcare Association of New York State's (HANYS) 2019 Community Health Improvement Award for its outstanding Healthy Food Initiative. The initiative targets high-risk communities in the Bronx with educational campaigns about nutritious foods and works with bodegas and delis to stock healthier food items. Montefiore's Office of Community & Population Health used data to identify "hotspot" communities that would most benefit from the initiative. The team launched a community-based healthy food marketing campaign, with informational tables set up on the sidewalks. They recruited partner stores to become "bodega buddies" advocating for the stocking and promoting of healthier items such as seltzer and water options, low-sodium and low-sugar canned goods, fresh fruit and healthy sandwich combos.

Results included a significant decrease in sugary drink consumption and more stores carrying healthier items, up from 0 to 25 percent since the program start. "Health starts by having access to, and awareness of, healthy choices," says Amanda Parsons, MD, Vice President, Community & Population Health, Montefiore.

The next Epic upgrade is scheduled to go live on Saturday, August 3, 2019. The upgrade will include several key enhancements, including a major usability change:

Storyboard—A brand new workspace layout that provides quicker access to key details and common actions without switching screens. Storyboard replaces today’s horizontal workspace header with a vertical bar that presents users with a curated and concise summary of the information they need before they work with a patient or an account. Users can take action quickly directly from Storyboard—for instance, acknowledge orders, activate a patient’s MyChart account or update vital signs. Providers are able to review new results and active medications at a glance. To accommodate the space needed for Storyboard, the activity tabs have moved to the top of the screen, where they flex and shrink to fit in the space available.

To get a head start on working with these new features, check out the Epic Playground. The best way to improve your learning experience is to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE IN THE PLAYGROUND.

On Sunday, November 3, Champions for CHAM will once again represent Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) in the TCS New York City Marathon, with every step dedicated to helping our young patients. Team members receive guaranteed entry to the marathon by pledging to raise funds for CHAM, with all donations supporting services critical to optimizing outcomes for pediatric patients and their families, including integrative medicine, palliative care and parent support groups.

To join Champions for CHAM, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/67L8L7K

If you have questions and/or need more information, visit www.montefiore.org/championsforcham or contact Mary Anna Smith at maryanna.smith@einsteinmed.edu or 718-920-6036.