Author: Leslie Distefano

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Samaritan Holiday Closures and Hours

With the holidays upon us, we want to make our community aware of special hours of operation and closures for many of our clinics and services. Happy Holidays!

Holiday Hours & Closures
The Samaritan clinics and the Resource Line will be closed on December 24th and December 31st.

The Drive-Up Testing Site will be closed on Christmas Day (12/25) and New Year’s Day (1/1/22)

Main Hospital Registration:
December 24th open 8:00am – 4:30pm (no scheduled services)
December 25th – closed
December 31st open 8:00am – 4:30pm (no scheduled services)
January 1st open 8:00am – 4:30pm

Walk-In Lab/X-Ray at Samaritan Health and Wellness Plaza (Watertown):
December 24th & 25th – closed
December 31st & January 1st – closed

Lab/X-Ray at the Adams Family Health Center:
December 24 – closed
December 27 – closed
December 29 – closed
December 31 – closed

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‘Merry and Bright’ Year for the 19th Annual North Country Festival of Trees Event

The 19th annual North Country Festival of Trees was held from November 26th – December 4th 2021, benefitting the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation and Watertown Family YMCA.

This year’s theme was “Merry and Bright” and it was held at the Former Bon-Ton at the Salmon Run Mall.  There were 74 beautifully decorated trees and an incredible Live Show Case event held on Channel 7. The tree auction raised over $48,000 for the two organizations. Upwards of 1,000 people attended the public viewing. We were not able to host our Sugar Plum Ball or Gala this year but we are hopeful to have it back again next year.  Below is a list of award-winning trees. Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Festival!

Winners:

Best Use of Festival Theme

  • “It’s a Wonderful Life” – Sponsored by A.T. Matthews & Dier, Decorated by Nancy Storino, Lisa Ruggiero & Beth Arthur
  • “Merry and Bright” – Sponsored by Complete Family Care & Laser Center, Decorated by Donna Trumbo

Most Traditional

  • “Peace, Love, Joy and Be Merry” – Sponsored by SBS Rentals.  Decorated by Watertown Lions Club
  • “Cozy Country Christmas” – Sponsored by The Kellie and Joseph Sanzone Family Living Trust.  Decorated by Alisha Lafex, Mariah McNeely & Kimberly Rizzo

Most Elegant

  • “Girls Night Out” – Sponsored by The Heather Freeman Foundation.  Decorated by Karla Stefanini & Karen Nevills
  • “Sisterly Love” – Sponsored by The Paddock Club.  Decorated by Kathy Dyer, Chris Rickett & Michelle Leo

Most Innovative

  • “Furry and Bright” – Sponsored by The Animal Doctors.  Decorated by Julia & Lola Stoddart, Lynn & Danel Godek
  • “Adventure Awaits in NYS” – Sponsored by Carthage Savings & Loan Association.  Decorated by Carthage Savings & Loan Association

Judge’s Choice

  • “Holidaisy” – Sponsored by BCA Architects & Engineers.  Decorated by Karla Stefanini & Karen Nevills
  • “Merry and Bright” – Sponsored by Knowles Family.  Decorated by Lisa O’Driscoll & Liz Culbertson

Jim Henry Most Whimsical

  • “Operation Yellow Ribbon” – Sponsored by Colello Air Technologies.  Decorated by Tillie Youngs, Judy Gentner, Ashley Shepherd, Nancy Datoush, Alisson Gorham & Marry Corriveau
  • “Love the Lake” – Sponsored by Cheney Tire.  Decorated by Brenda Sipher

People’s Choice

  • “Holidaisy” – Sponsored by BCA Architects & Engineers.  Decorated by Karla Stefanini & Karen Nevills
  • “Donate Life in Loving Memory of Tyler R. Christman” – Donated by Christman Fuel Service.  Decorated by Faith Parks & Lillian Buck

    Honorable Mentions
  • “For the Love of Being Outdoors” – Sponsored by Slack Chemical Company.  Decorated by Shari Simmons
  • “Waltz of Angels” – Sponsored by Knowlton Technologies.  Decorated by Stacey Bristow
  • “No Peeking” – Sponsored by Northern Radiology.  Decorated by Jean Goodfriend, Kimberly Roberts & Cherie Schneckenburger
  • “Candy Can Christmas” – Sponsored by King & King Architects.  Decorated by Jeff Pawlowski, Rich Baldwin & Michelle Fuller
  • “ReJOYce! For he is Born” – Sponsored by North Country Family Health Center.  Decorated by Kevin Kitto.

Did you know that next year’s Festival of Trees theme will be “It’s a Wonderful Life”?  We can’t wait to see what our decorators will come up with next!

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NYS Approved FREE Coronavirus Testing at Samaritan’s Drive-Up Location


WATERTOWN, NY – The New York State Department of Health has partnered with Jefferson County to open a free COVID-19 testing location, as the positivity rate remains high across the region. Samaritan will use its Drive-Up Testing Site, located at 1575 Washington Street in Watertown, to offer 100 free appointments per day. All appointments must be made online at: www.samaritanhealth.com/covid-test.

Appointments will begin on Monday, December 6, 2021, and will initially be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The testing site will be closed Tuesdays and Sundays. This schedule is subject to change.

Free PCR COVID-19 testing will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis and any community member with an interest to be tested can be scheduled as long as supplies are available. Requests for testing must be done online at www.samaritanhealth.com/covid-test.

Test results are available within three to seven days, as this is not rapid testing. However, PCR testing is the most accurate test available, and it is highly recommended that any person with COVID-19 symptoms have a PCR test done. Community members who provide a cell phone number and email will be notified of their negative results via text message and email message.  All positive results will be provided by public health.

The state partnership allows Samaritan access to a third-party laboratory service, BioReference, which will process the COVID-19 test specimens at no cost to patients or Samaritan. The state will provide additional testing supplies and test kits to Samaritan, and Samaritan will provide the staff needed to collect the specimens. The Drive-Up Testing Site has been in operation continuously to provide tests to surgical patients and patients with symptoms.

“Samaritan is pleased that the NYS Department of Health listened to our concerns about a lack of free and accessible testing in our region,” said M. Andrew Short, vice president and Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan. “This is a major benefit for our community and Samaritan is proud to be part of the solution and supplying this testing service to the community.”

Once patients arrive at the Drive-Up Testing site, signs will instruct them where to go, to keep car windows closed as they enter the garage bay, and to hold identification up to the window so intake staff can validate name and date of birth during appointment check-in. This is a fully drive-up process, meaning patients will never leave their vehicle. This site is not for walk-in traffic.

Samaritan’s Drive-Up Testing Site was a NYS free testing location once before, from July 2020 through July 2021.

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Samaritan Medical Center to Pause Visitation and Support Persons Due to Recent Increase of COVID-19 Positive Cases in Local Region

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is compelled to pause inpatient visitation and support persons in outpatient settings (lab, imaging/radiology tests and more), all Clinics, the Emergency Department and Surgical Services because of the recent increase in positive cases and hospitalizations in the local region.  This takes effect Monday, August 23, 2021.  This is out of an abundance of caution to minimize additional people in our facilities to help keep patients and staff safe.

This is also in response to Jefferson County Public Health’s recent report that the COVID-19 virus is present at higher levels in the City of Watertown’s wastewater, which in an indication we can expect to see more positive cases in our region.   We will continually reevaluate the positive cases locally to determine when we can safely implement inpatient visitation and support person presence.

This pause in visitation does not impact our end-of-life patients, patients under the age of 18, nursery/neonatal intensive care unit patients or patients that require a support person due to an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD) or a cognitive impairment, including dementia. These visitors need to continue to use the Rotunda entrance at the hospital.  This does not impact our obstetrics/maternity patients.  These patients need to continue to use the Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children entrance. 

To see all visitation policies and protocols, please visit our website. Please note, these protocols are likely to change as the pandemic shifts.  

Samaritan will continue to encourage our community to get the COVID-19 vaccine, maintain social distancing, practice proper face mask use and frequent hand washing.  Samaritan can report that 91% of our current COVID-19 inpatients have been unvaccinated. 

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Samaritan to Expand Visitation for Inpatients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan will expand limited hospital inpatient visitation starting Monday, May 3, 2021.

Samaritan is pleased to expand visitors who are important to the care and recovery of our patients as our region’s COVID-19 infection rates continue to stabilize. However, some restrictions will apply to limit the number of people in our facilities on any given day, especially with limited waiting area spaces and the ability to social distance safely.

Please click here to see complete visitation guidelines.

Major patient groups impacted by these new changes:

Hospital Inpatients:

  • Two (2) designated visitors per day are permitted. Exceptions may be made for end-of-life visitation, with coordination arranged through the nursing supervisor.
  • NO visitation will be permitted for COVID-19 inpatients, COVID-19 Patients Under Investigation (PUI) or patients in quarantine (with compassionate exceptions for end-of-life).
  • Visiting hours are from 2:00pm to 6:00pm and all entry and exit will be through the Rotunda entrance, located between the Medical Center and the Samaritan Keep Home.
  • If you cannot visit, you can contact your loved one over the phone or through a scheduled video call. The patient’s care team can help schedule and make arrangements for the video call.
  • This guidance does not apply to Inpatient Mental Health Unit patients.

Campus Map

General Visitation Guidelines

If any of these requirements are not met the visitor or support person will be asked to leave or not be allowed to stay.

  • Visitors should refrain from coming to our facilities if they are ill.
  • All visitors and support persons must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Visitors and support persons will be provided with a face mask upon entry to the facility and must wear the mask properly at all times while inside the facility.
    • If a person refuses to properly wear a face mask, they will be asked to leave the facility immediately.
  • Visitors and support persons should self-screen for illness before arriving at Samaritan and before accessing patient care areas.
  • If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days, please do not visit our facilities.
  • Visitors and support persons must not be on quarantine or isolation for COVID 19 infection or exposure.
  • All visitors and support persons are required to comply with our screening checkpoint procedures; asked screening questions and have their temperature taken upon arrival. If you are unable to comply, you will not be permitted in our facilities.
  • Visitors and support persons must stay in the patient’s room, or designated waiting area identified by staff, unless otherwise directed by staff.
  • Visitors and support persons cannot accompany patients to tests outside of their room.
  • All visitors and support persons must practice social distancing, stay at least six (6) feet away from others, while in the facility.
  • Visitors and support persons should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

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Samaritan to Expand Visitation and Support Persons

Watertown, NY – Samaritan will expand limited hospital inpatient visitation and support persons starting Monday, April 26, 2021.

Samaritan is pleased to expand visitors and support persons, who are important to the care and recovery of our patients as our region’s COVID-19 infection rates continue to stabilize. However, some restrictions will apply to limit the number of people in our facilities on any given day, especially with limited waiting area spaces and the ability to social distance safely.

Please click here to see complete visitation guidelines.

Major patient groups impacted by these new changes:

Obstetric Patients:

  • Two (2) designated support persons per patient is allowed.
  • Support persons may accompany the patient throughout labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period, including recovery until discharge home.
  • The support persons should be prepared to stay with the mother for long periods of time, assuring they have essential items such as clothing, medications, etc.
  • Support persons may leave and return once a day.
  • The Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children’s entrance on Sherman and Pratt Street will be used for exiting and returning.
  • Support persons will be screened upon re-entry each time.

Pediatric Patients / Neonatal Intensive Care:

  • Two (2) designated support persons may be designated and may be present together.
  • Support persons may leave and return once a day.
  • The Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children’s entrance on Sherman and Pratt Street will be used for exiting and returning.
  • Support persons will be screened upon re-entry each time.

Surgical Services Patients:

  • One (1) designated support person will be allowed for all surgical services patients.
  • Patients will need enter through the Main Entrance of the hospital (on Washington St.) and park out front in designated spots or in the parking garage. Once arrived, please call 315-816-1664 to let our staff know the patient and the support person have arrived.
  • Our patients and their support person will be guided by staff members on where to go from the waiting areas to certain areas within the surgical services department at specific times.
  • Support persons must remain in a designated waiting area at all times. Please understand that not all support persons will be with the patient at all times.
  • The patient’s surgery or procedure will determine when a support person will be with the patient, which may or may not be directly before or after their procedure. Staff will guide the support person based on the patient case.
    • For Outpatient Patient Procedure Unit – the support person will be with the patient in the preoperative surgical area and remain there until discharge.
    • For Main Operating Room – the support persons will remain in the designated waiting areas until the patient is in advanced recovery after the surgery and ready for discharge and then will remain with the patient until discharge.
    • For pediatric patients – two (2) support persons are allowed however, only one support person will be able to be with the patient during pre- and post-operative care; the other support person must remain in the designated waiting area until discharge information is provided.
  • If a surgical patient becomes an inpatient and must stay in the hospital, support persons must follow general inpatient visitation guidelines once the patient has been discharged from surgical care (see above).
  • If a support person does not accompany the patient into the facility, they will be provided a cell number where they are welcome to call for general updates.
  • When the patient is ready for discharge, the support person and patient will be provided the discharge instructions before leaving the facility.
  • If a support person does not follow any of the guidance above or what is asked by them of any staff member they will be asked to leave to and wait in their vehicle for their loved one.

Patients undergoing outpatient procedures, lab, radiology, or rehabilitation:

  • Individuals may bring one (1) support person with them to healthcare appointments when space allows.

Outpatient appointments at all Samaritan clinics:

  • Individuals may bring one (1) support person with them to healthcare appointments when space allows.

Campus Map

General Visitation Guidelines

If any of these requirements are not met the visitor or support person will be asked to leave or not be allowed to stay.

  • Visitors should refrain from coming to our facilities if they are ill.
  • All visitors and support persons must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Visitors and support persons will be provided with a face mask upon entry to the facility and must wear the mask properly at all times while inside the facility.
    • If a person refuses to properly wear a face mask, they will be asked to leave the facility immediately.
  • Visitors and support persons should self-screen for illness before arriving at Samaritan and before accessing patient care areas.
  • If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days, please do not visit our facilities.
  • Visitors and support persons must not be on quarantine or isolation for COVID 19 infection or exposure.
  • All visitors and support persons are required to comply with our screening checkpoint procedures; asked screening questions and have their temperature taken upon arrival. If you are unable to comply, you will not be permitted in our facilities.
  • Visitors and support persons must stay in the patient’s room, or designated waiting area identified by staff, unless otherwise directed by staff.
  • Visitors and support persons cannot accompany patients to tests outside of their room.
  • All visitors and support persons must practice social distancing, stay at least six (6) feet away from others, while in the facility.
  • Visitors and support persons should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

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First COVID-19 Death at Samaritan Long-Term Care Facility

Samaritan Health today announced the first COVID-19-related death at one of its two long-term care facilities since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

The resident, who was cared for in Samaritan Summit Village’s skilled nursing facility, first tested positive for the virus on December 20 and later was hospitalized. As with many of our skilled nursing residents, this person did have several underlying health conditions.

“On behalf of our entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to the resident’s family,” said Barbara E. Morrow, Vice President of Long-Term Care, Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home. “The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to our residents and staff in the coming days offers great hope there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, but today’s announcement is a stark reminder regarding the heavy toll this pandemic is taking throughout the U.S., particularly for our senior population.”

Residents and staff at Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine through our partnership with Walgreens starting January 4 and January 5, respectively. 

Samaritan Health places the health and safety of our residents and staff above all else. We will continue diligent efforts to prevent the spread of this virus in our facilities, following all NYSDOH directives for testing, contact tracing, safety equipment precautions, staff screening and close monitoring, and frequent temperature checks for all residents.

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Samaritan Long-Term Care Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

On Friday, December 4, Samaritan Health received notice a resident at Samaritan Keep Home long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first time a resident of either of Samaritan Health’s two long-term care facilities has tested positive for the virus.

It has been determined the resident contracted the virus from a home visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. The resident has been in isolation since they returned to the facility, as per New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) protocol for home visits. The resident initially received a negative test result once they returned to Samaritan Keep Home, but their second test this week came back positive.

Samaritan Keep Home staff are now going one step further and creating a COVID-unit with established procedures, separating this resident even more from the rest of the population. At this point the resident does not require hospitalization.

All staff have been in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as if the resident were COVID-19 positive since they returned from their home visit. Staff and residents continue to be tested weekly, per NYSDOH guidelines.

Our staff are fully trained and prepared to respond to a scenario like this. We’re confident the precautionary measures our staff has been taking – such as isolating the resident, masking, eye protection, sanitizing and regular temperature checks – have helped minimize exposure.

Samaritan Health places the health and safety of our residents and staff above all else and will continue diligent efforts to prevent the spread of this virus in our facilities, following all NYSDOH directives for testing and contact tracing.

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Computer System Restoration Update

Samaritan Health continues to work to restore its computer system after taking it offline as a precaution on July 25 due to security concerns involving malware.

Steady progress has been made as we restore our systems and network slowly and methodically to ensure a thorough and safe process. Below is our latest update.

The following systems/applications have been restored and are fully operational:

  • Primary hospital electronic medical records (EMR)
  • Behavioral Health/Addictions EMR and scheduling
  • Long-term care EMR
  • Accounting and payroll applications
  • Other ancillary patient care systems

Our IT team and third-party computer forensic professionals continue to work to restore the following systems at these clinic locations:

  • All primary care locations
  • Women’s Wellness and Breast Care
  • Wound Care Center
  • Dermatology
  • Pain Management Center
  • Urology
  • Infectious Disease
  • Rheumatology
  • All online patient portals and smartphone applications

We are continuing to see existing patients at these locations, as well as new patients at many sites. We are scheduling appointments to the best of our ability given the challenges we face. As with every medical appointment, it’s a good idea to bring your most recent medication list and any pertinent medical updates.

Our online portals and smartphone applications are not operational, so please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.

We appreciate the community’s continued patience and support during this outage.

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Samaritan Medical Center Awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission

Samaritan Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Primary Stroke Center Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of stroke care.  The certification evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.

Samaritan Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review in November 2019. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification including: specific stroke core measures, program management through Get with the Guidelines, and delivering and facilitating clinical stroke care.  Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Samaritan Medical Center for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

“A stroke is a medical emergency that needs a quality team to identify, assess and begin treatment to help stop the damage,” states Dr. Mario Victoria, Samaritan Medical Center Chief Medical Officer. “Reaching this level of designation as a Primary Stroke Center from The Joint Commission is a testament to the quality stroke care Samaritan can provide locally. The level of detail, training and sheer determination from the clinical staff to reach this level of designation is humbling as the Chief Medical Officer.”

Samaritan prepared for its Primary Stroke Center Certification by taking many valuable steps and learning from other experts in the field.  Preparation included:

  • Demonstrating compliance with the set of clinical practice guidelines required. The guidelines are specific to the care and outcomes of patients that may experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or a hemorrhagic stroke. This assists organizations in establishing a consistent approach to care, reducing variation and the risk of error, along with improving patient outcomes.
  • Educating staff in the care of the stroke patient with evidence-based guidelines.
  • Developing policy and procedures.
  • Implementing a performance improvement committee for ongoing process improvement.
  • Providing 24/7 acute stroke team with ability to provide IV clot buster medication with close monitoring from highly qualified staff.
  • Establishing collaboration with Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
  • Establishing collaboration with the State and Regional Stroke Centers.
  •  Committing to providing high-quality patient care from the onset of symptoms to rehabilitation.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission’s website.


Joint Commission and AHA joint Primary Stroke Icon

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