Category Archives: Healthcare

A new staffing agency will provide contract nursing staff to the hospitals and facilities of the Albany Med Health System, including Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital. 

The Albany Med Health System (AMHS) Staffing Alliance was formed in April of 2021 as an affiliate of the VNA of Albany and became fully operational in October of 2021. Its mission is to provide a strategic source of contract nurses exclusively for the Albany Med health system’s facilities to fill temporary staffing gaps, and to provide flexible, temporary work schedules that meet individual and system needs.

“The AMHS Staffing Alliance is an appealing option for nurses who are interested in an Albany Med Health System hospital or facility but due to their current situations, prefer temporary nursing assignments instead of a permanent position,” said Susan Larman, RN, CEO of VNA of Albany. “Interested candidates can work with a dedicated team to help find flexible work schedules with their choice of these four highly reputable hospitals that make up the Albany Med Health System. It is a mutually beneficial opportunity for the candidates and the System facilities.”

The AMHS Staffing Alliance differs from private staffing agencies in that it is not focused on supporting multiple customers in several markets.

SUNY Empire State College will enhance nursing program to address the state and nation’s critical nursing shortage

The college has received a $245,580 grant from the SUNY system that is expected to boost enrollment in the college’s nursing program and help address the state and nation’s critical nursing shortage, officials said.

 The funds are part of a $3 million SUNY Nursing Emergency Training Fund designed to enable more students to enroll in SUNY’s nursing programs. SUNY Empire will use the money to offset the initial cost of hiring a full-time faculty member and an operations coordinator in its nursing program. 

The funding, which will be available July 1 after the state budget is approved, will enable the college to increase enrollment at the School of Nursing and Allied Health by 100 students.

 In all, SUNY campuses have more than 70 accredited nursing programs. SUNY campuses were eligible to apply for funding of up to $250,000. The funding can be used in various ways, including curricula development, partnership expansion, and the purchase of instructional equipment and technology.

 At SUNY Empire, most of the additional students are expected to come through the Multi-Award Nursing Program that SUNY Empire shares with Nassau Community College (NCC). NCC received $247,000 from the same SUNY funds to expand their nursing program.

The adult cigarette smoking rate in New York state achieved a new low of 12 percent in 2020, a rate lower than the U.S. average of 15.5 percent, State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett announced on June 3. 

According to her report, among young adults, ages 18 to 24, the smoking rate is even lower, at 5.5 percent. These successes are believed to be due, in part, to the progress made by Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program, which aims to prevent youth tobacco use and promotes tobacco cessation services.

“Our Tobacco Control Program has made tremendous progress at changing norms and getting the word out that smoking is bad for your health,” Bassett said. “The program has used evidence-based strategies, created tobacco-free spaces, and produced effective media campaigns that successfully encourage people to quit. New York state is committed to reducing the burden of nicotine addiction. 

“DOH will continue to reach out to the public with powerful messages, work with communities to protect their neighborhoods from tobacco-industry influence, create safe, tobacco- and vape-free spaces, and provide information about getting help to quit smoking.”

Despite these milestones described in the new report tobacco use remains a significant public health problem, with diseases caused by smoking and secondhand smoke killing more than 22,000 people each year in New York state, Bassett said. Another 650,000 adults live with a chronic disease caused by smoking.

Last year, long before COVID-19, Saratoga Hospital launched a pilot “collaborative care” program to help primary care physicians connect patients to behavioral health services. Today, hospital officials say behavioral health services are integrated into all eight Saratoga Hospital Medical Group primary care practices—a model that is proving invaluable in helping patients cope with the stress of the pandemic.

“Our world is changing irrevocably, and that’s bound to have a significant impact on mental health,” said Janice Prichett, executive director of behavioral health at Saratoga Hospital. “People are worried about their health, their loved ones and their jobs. Many are feeling sad, anxious, or isolated.

“Even those with the best coping skills are likely to need some support. This integrated, collaborative model makes it easier for them to get help.”

She said the model works, in part, because it recognizes the importance of patients’ trusted relationships with their primary care provider. Patients share their concerns with their primary care provider and, within 24 hours, are contacted by a licensed behavioral health professional.

The federal government in May distributed more than $100.7 million to health care providers in the Capital Region as part of aid prompted by the pandemic.

Hospitals lead the regional list of recipients, with Albany Med’s $20.3 million at the top. But funds also went to providers such as physician groups and nursing homes. The non-hospital group that received the largest payment was New York Oncology Hematology, which received $3.5 million.

Saratoga Hospital received $7 million. Glens Falls Hospital received $4.9 million

Inpatient and outpatient skilled nursing groups received some of the largest payments, including Wesley Health Care Center with  $733,715.