Back in the Game SS’ online patient forum – Back in the Game –
H
HSS Recognizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
now has more than 1,600 patient stories! The postings share how HSS helped patients get
“back in the game.” Every month we will include one of the stories that highlights the extraordinary care
SS celebrated Certified Registered Nurse
all CRNAs in recognition of their hard work and
Anesthetists (CRNA) Week from January
dedication to world-class patient care.
22 – 28 to recognize the 16 CRNAs practicing
Thank you to all of our CRNAs for providing excellent
H
members of the HSS family provide.
within the Department of Anesthesia at HSS.
Read how HSS helped Nancy Tompkins of Shalimar, FL
CRNAs collaborate on all aspects of
get back in the game.
perioperative care, including formulating
Becoming non-weight bearing on one foot for three months due to an ankle fusion is a real kicker. Imagine how I felt after rolling around on a scooter, using crutches and a stair-lift to discover it went
care in all anesthetizing sites throughout HSS.
an anesthetic plan, administering anesthetics, managing emergence and recovery from anesthesia, discharging patients from the PACU, and more.
way wrong. I had my first surgeon (in NH) inform
On January 24, a lecture was given by
me after 18 painful months that it was a ‘non-union’
Nicholas M. Perrino, DNP(c), MPH,
and my choices were either to have it redone,
MS, RN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, Assistant
heading backward to square one, or wear a metal
Vice President, Clinical Practice, titled,
brace indefinitely (That meant forever because
“Understanding the Historical and
I asked). I tried to be brave about it but my cheeks
Modern Role of the Nurse Anesthetist.”
were like a waterfall.
In addition, a special lunch was held for
HSS honored CRNAs at a special lunch to recognize their hard work during CRNA Week.
New Medical Staff Lila R. Baaklini, MD Lila R. Baaklini, MD, is an assistant attending anesthesiologist at Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Baaklini received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her internship at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. She completed her residency at Yale-New Haven Medical Center where she
My only real choice was the first option, but this time
served as chief resident in her final year. Upon completing
I did my research and picked the best hospital, HSS.
her residency, Dr. Baaklini spent one year as an HSS Regional
As soon as I met Dr. Demetracopoulos, my anxiety
Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine fellow.
about going through all of that again switched into confidence that we had come to the right place. Dr. ‘D’ with his mild demeanor, dark hair, tall sturdy stature, and aptitude reminded me of Superman—he proved it when he performed my second operation. He removed extraneous bone that had grown, and replaced the remaining two broken and loose staples
Employee Safety Zone
with a more secure plate and screws. It has been eight months since my second fusion,
Culture of Safety Meets Employee Safety
and it is actually healing... I can easily go up and
In the interest of keeping every member of the HSS family safe, healthy and happy, we would like to
down the numerous steps in our old New England
highlight several opportunities that allow the Employee Safety Committee to understand how we can
Victorian, take daily walks in the Florida sunshine
best help you.
when we are there, but best of all, I can wear normal
1. Identify potential dangers: When faced with a work-related process you fear to be potentially injurious
shoes again that I’d pushed to the back of my closet
(even if you have not yet sustained the injury), let your supervisor know. We cannot fix a problem that we
for two years while my ankle was the size of a
are unaware of.
cantaloupe. My daughter-in-law was so impressed with the difference Dr. Demetracopoulos made for me that she is coming from Dallas to have him work on her problem ankle this summer. There is a reason HSS is the best. They pick the right doctors and
2. Report: If you have an accident or almost have one (a “near miss” as we call it), let us know via the occurrence reporting system (RL). You can submit a report anonymously, if so desired, or you can send an email to the team at EmployeeSafety@HSS.edu. 3. Look out for one another: Seemingly harmless activities like bending or lifting an object can possibly
I was lucky enough to find mine. To me, he just
lead to injury if done in an improper way. If you see someone moving in a way that could injure them,
happens to look like Clark Kent.
kindly point it out to them and offer a hand. 4. Notice chronic issues: If you feel the same nagging ache and pain at work, let your supervisor know or report to Occupational Health Services. It may require reasonable accommodations for resolution. Please contact EmployeeSafety@HSS.edu with any questions.
6