Memories of Brookhaven Memorial flooded back to members of the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association during their recent meeting with hospital officials involved with the transitioning of the landmark care facility from its current incarnation as Long Island Community Hospital to New York University Langone Health.
One of the last independent hospitals in the region to merge with a larger organization, the 300-bed facility will see millions in improvements designed to keep pace with the changing needs of the area.
Speaking for the hospital, Chief Operating Officer Matthew Peddie detailed plans including upgrades to the Knapp Cardiac Care Center, operating rooms and the emergency center, as well as a new surgical robot and the incorporation of a $100 million electronic patient records system. A goal of the partnership is a reduction in the time of hospital stays and mortality rates, as well as the recruitment of staff that lives locally rather than relying on “travelers,” who are more expensive, Peddie noted. The hospital is actively recruiting physicians, nurses and other staff for primary, specialty and surgical care for more than 400,000 residents in the 47 zip codes they serve.
Peddie promised to look into a suggestion by Pattersquash Vice President Chris Ricciardi to partner with William Floyd High School for programs that would prepare students for careers in the medical field. Member Bill Doyle suggested that the hospital open an urgent care unit in the Mastic-Shirley area and recommended they speak to the Beechwood Organization about an office in the new business district they are planning for Neighborhood Road.
Ricciardi shared a recent experience with the hospital which he said went well. He pointed out that residents would prefer going to Long Island Community instead of taking a longer trip to the hospitals in Stony Brook or Riverhead.
As part of its expansion efforts, the hospital has taken over the old Burlington Coat Factory building in Patchogue where they are establishing a 55,000-square-foot medical facility featuring ambulatory, dialysis, endoscopy, and other services.
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According to the operating officer, the new “My Chart” system allows patients to access their medical records in real time through an app. “Sometimes they know their test results before the staff comes in to tell them,” Peddie said of the $100 million upgrade. Patient information can be shared with family and other authorized representatives through the app.
“Long Island Community Hospital is a valuable addition to NYU Langone Health’s network on Long Island and will play an integral role in expanding the breadth and depth of our healthcare services,” said Joseph Greco, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief of Hospital Operations at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island.
“Long Island Community Hospital is entering a new era through our affiliation with this highly respected health system and we are committed to strengthening our services to optimize patient care,” noted Richard T. Margulis, President and CEO of the hospital. “The pairing will elevate NYC Langone into becoming the dominant healthcare provider in Suffolk County, with unparalleled quality, efficiency, and access to world-class care.” Margulis will continue to lead the East Patchogue hospital under the arrangement.
With six inpatient locations and more than 300 ambulatory sites throughout the New York-metro region and Long Island, and 150-plus practices in Queens and Long Island, the hospital is consistently ranked among the top systems in the country.
“The hospital has been a key component of providing health care and emergency services to our area since the 1950s,” Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine noted. “They do a very dedicated job. I'm sure their new affiliation will only help to improve the services they provide to the residents of our town.”
Long-time resident Mike Leonardi said he remembers a sign at the hospital reminding staff they were the “helping hand of God.” Peddie said he would check to see if it could be put back up.