After reforms, NUMC is on the upswing

For decades, Nassau University Medical Center has towered above the landscape, representing our community’s commitment to quality health care — for everyone. Public hospitals across the state face enormous challenges, and NUMC is no different. But as we close in on two years of executing substantial reforms, this irreplaceable institution is proving resilient and improving.

At Long Island’s largest public safety-net hospital and Level 1 trauma center, each year the unwavering dedication of our staff provides $1 billion in services to more than 270,000 patients. Many of those patients are from our most at-risk populations, who can’t afford to pay for care and otherwise wouldn’t receive treatment.

Leveraging new financial standards and practices, more-efficient systems and a renewed commitment to the patient and visitor experience, we are proving that we can be a model for success. Our dedication to strengthening the foundations of the facility has recently been recognized by top health care organizations.

In August, after a rigorous evaluation, NUMC earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its high-performance standards. To achieve this accreditation, NUMC underwent an in-depth, multi-day, unannounced onsite review by a team that judged compliance standards in several key areas, including patient rights, infection control, surgical services and patient safety.

Just days later, NUMC’s team was again recognized, receiving two prestigious awards from the American Heart Association. The hospital was honored with AHA’s Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline achievement awards, reflecting our team’s adherence to the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines for heart disease and stroke.

The AHA also noted that our efforts have led to improved patient outcomes, including more lives saved, shorter recovery times and reduced hospital readmissions. These awards come as we prepare for the construction and opening of a new Cath Lab in 2025 that will enable the hospital to perform more life-saving heart procedures on site.

Our Emergency Room staff also continues to demonstrate excellence and success under the stress of a growing patient population. In September, after an in-depth investigative report by Newsday on the crisis of long emergency room wait times on Long Island, NUMC’s was ranked second out of all hospitals for average patient wait time, despite the fact that we serve more than 65,000 emergency patients each year.

These recognitions required strategic planning, rigorous training and a culture of excellence that permeates every level of our organization. Our staff of more than 3,600 undergo continuous evaluations and specialized training to ensure that we meet the highest standards of care, which is particularly crucial because we serve a diverse community with unique health needs.

While previous leadership spent money on new executive offices, we’re focusing on enriching the patient experience and expanding our services. We recently extended our on-site clinical office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 9 p.m. for our pediatric, women’s health, general medicine and physical therapy services. Starting this month, we will have Saturday clinic hours as well for the first time.

This expansion helps make prevention and treatment more convenient for working families, and reduces emergency room visits. Our first NUMC van was just delivered to help those with transportation needs. The opening of our new Community Engagement Center, our first public open house, our recent Back-to-School program and other initiatives are also part of our effort to ensure that NUMC remains a hub for the broader community.

NUMC has long been a cornerstone of health care in Nassau County — more than just a hospital, we are a trusted partner and a critical lifeline for our neighbors. Our hospital is often the first place people turn in times of need. We take our unique responsibility very seriously.

These certifications, initiatives and facility upgrades are just a small sample of the exciting results from nearly two years of management and operational reforms.

While NUMC continues to face financial challenges due to drastic state funding cuts that have not been restored, we are committed to building on the success of our recent fiscal reforms to safeguard this vital community resource.
NUMC is a beacon of hope and a testament to the strength of our community. It represents our commitment to caring for one another. Our collective support for the hospital means that our area will avoid the health care crises that plague other communities across the nation. Residents will have the peace of mind knowing they have a public hospital ready to meet any challenge.

Megan C. Ryan is interim president and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center.