​PCMH is a model of care in which providers build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams. It emphasizes use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement. 
 
Recognition as a Level 3 PCMH demonstrates that the clinics have scored the highest grades in six standards set by the NCQA, including patient-centered access, team-based care; population health management, care management and support; care coordination and care transitions; performance measurement and quality improvement. 

​“PCMH recognition is an important accomplishment and underscores our commitment to providing the very best care to our patients,” said Ken Morris, vice president of operations at BTLC, “I commend our physicians, advanced level providers and the entire staff for their exceptional work in providing safe, quality patient care.”

​The National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA) seal is a widely recognized symbol of healthcare quality. Accredited providers face a rigorous set of more than 60 standards and must report on their performance in more than 40 areas in order to earn NCQA’s seal of approval. For consumers and employers, the seal is a reliable indicator that an organization is well-managed and delivers high quality care and service.

​Gowanda Medical Center, located at 34 Commercial Street in Gowanda ,offers primary care, imaging, laboratory, physical therapy, and an adjoining urgent care center for non-emergent medical care.  Centrally located in the Village of Gowanda, the facility is easily accessible to the surrounding areas of Collins, Perrysburg, Dayton, Persia, Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, Silver Creek, Hanover, Irving and others.  For information, call 716-532-8100 or visit www.brookshospital.org/gowanda-medical-center.

​All Hands on Deck
“Our team - including directors, managers and coordinators - has been an invaluable resource,” adds Jodi Witherell, chief nursing officer and vice president of quality services.  “These professionals have demonstrated true leadership by prioritizing the administration of vaccine doses to our community - all at a moment’s notice.”
 
The Process
Once registered for an appointment, community members are provided with a ticket they must bring to the hospital’s main lobby at their designated appointment time.  A consent form is completed before clinical screening takes place with a hospital pharmacist.  Vaccine administration itself takes less than a minute, but patients are required to stay in observation and recovery for another 15 minutes to ensure no adverse side effects.  Those vaccinated are encouraged to scan a barcode which takes them to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s v-safe application – an after vaccination health checker - to both schedule a second dose and monitor any vaccine side effects.  There is no fee to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

​Please Do Not Call the Hospital to Schedule Vaccines
ALL VACCINATIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AND CAN BE SCHEDULED ONLY ONLINE.
New Yorkers in Phase 1A and segments of Phase 1B are eligible for the vaccines. Currently, eligible groups include doctors, nurses and health care workers, people age 65 and over, first responders, teachers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and public safety workers.   To check eligibility, visit       https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.
 
Based on the pattern over the last few days, clinics can fill up in less than an hour.  However, hospital officials strongly urge those interested in receiving the vaccine to check the DOH registration website regularly as new clinics are added, and appointment times can open up due to cancellations. 

​As tradition goes, the hospital selects a local agency to receive gifts donated by staff through a Giving Tree.  This past holiday season, it was suggested by Megan Schmitt, director of substance user disorders, that the hospital help its less fortunate patients served at the Cassadaga and Derby chemical dependency outpatient clinics.   

​“Every year, our counselors spend a great deal of time working with patients to help them apply for Toys for Tots and other programs that donate children’s Christmas gifts to low income families”, Schmitt shared.   “It makes sense to support our own patients, who are among the most vulnerable families in our community, especially during COVID-19”, she added.  

​Ultimately, over 200 gifts were collected and each child received both a “need” and “want” gift.  Delivery to the clinics required a team effort and took at least six van loads brimming over with toys, coats, clothes and books.  Clinic staff members Tim Munch and Martin Weaver had the privilege of delivering wrapped gifts to roughly 80 families in our community.
 
In a letter written to hospital staff, Schmitt thanked hospital staff sharing “The chemical dependency department and the patients we serve are humbled by your generosity in making so many children’s Christmas wishes come true.  Please know, your selflessness truly created magic in many children’s lives.”

“The Giving Tree project is special for all of us at Brooks-TLC”, shared Paul DeSantis, who, together with his wife, participates annually.  “Being able to make a child’s Christmas wish come true is a blessing in its’ own right.  This year was even more special for so many reasons.  When I read that a child was dreaming of a warm coat for Christmas I came to realize how difficult life can become.  My wife and I were so taken back by this wish that we decided to add a few extra items to his present.” 
 
“It is our sincere hope that this child and others like him can take comfort in the fact that all of us at the hospital care for his well-being, he added.  “We are already looking forward to next Christmas.”

Brooks-TLC received its first supply of COVID-19 vaccines yesterday and began providing vaccinations for high risk staff working within the health system. 
Sara Couchman, RN, emergency room nurse, was the first frontline health care worker to receive the hospital’s first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Sara stated, “I’m happy this is the beginning of a new era, and also the end of pain and suffering for so many families.”  Lisa Barone, RN, director of infection control and surgical services, administered the first vaccination added, “This is the first ray of hope we’ve seen in a long time.” 
Christopher Kotowski, PharmD, the hospital’s director of pharmacy, and a team of hospital representatives have been preparing for the arrival of vaccines and ensuring that the regulations related to allocation and administration of the vaccine are followed.

​Congratulations Arron Peters from our Bio Med Department for winning a holiday pie plate in a random drawing of donors to Rock Out Hunger this year. With sincere gratitude, thank you to everybody who donated non-perishable food items and Tops free turkey vouchers to benefit FeedMore WNY.

​The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC®) has announced that Lisa Barone, director of infection control, and Theresa Schrantz, employee health coordinator have earned Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) recertification credential and have demonstrated a mastery of infection prevention and control knowledge by meeting the educational  requirements.  The credential is renewed every five years.

​In her role as team captain, Michele Hallmark led the Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. Chautauqua County Walk to End Alzheimer’s and fundraising effort.  In lieu of a large gathering this year, team members were encouraged to form small intimate groups and walk in their own neighborhood, park, or other location of their choosing on Saturday, Oct 10, 2020.

When is flu season?
Flu season is declared by the County Department of Health once flu is prevalent in the area.  It generally peaks between December and February.  Because it takes a few weeks to build immunity - the earlier the vaccine is received the better - but community members can get the vaccine any time throughout the season. 
​
Is it possible have flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Yes. It is possible have flu (as well as other respiratory illnesses) and COVID-19 at the same time. Experts are still studying how common this can be.  Further, those who contract COVID-19, who are already compromised by flu, may have a higher risk of complications and worse symptoms. 
According to Lisa Barone, BTLC director of infection control, “There’s definitely concern about the flu overlapping with COVID, but it's hard to know how COVID-19 will mix with flu season at this time.”  Health care experts hope ongoing measures for reducing COVID transmission will also reduce flu transmission.  

What can I do to help stop the spread of both viruses?
The infection prevention team at BTLC recommend preventing and slowing transmission of infection by any virus, to do the following:

• Wear a mask/face covering per New York State guidelines;  
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Maintain at least six feet distance between you and other people.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell.
  • Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
  • Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

For information on getting your yearly flu vaccine, contact your health care provider. 
 
*Excerpted in part from www.cdc.gov/flu
​