Huntington Hospital Recognized As Age-Friendly Health System

HUNTINGTON, NY — Huntington Hospital was recognized as an age-friendly health system hospital at the Committed Care Excellence level by The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Northwell Health announced.

Huntington Hospital is the 10th hospital in Northwell Health to earn Level 2 (Committed to Care Excellence), the highest-level designation.

"Caring for our older adults is a big responsibility, one that we take great pride in," said Nick
Fitterman, executive director of Huntington Hospital, in a news release. "Our aging population will face health issues that require the right care at the right time which is why we have increased our services."

The hospital implemented evidence-based ideas designed to improve care for older patients known as the "4Ms": What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.

• What Matters: Know and align care with each older adult's specific health outcome goals and care preferences including, but not limited to, end-of-life care and across settings of care. (Led by Brittney Grella, MD and Leah Fow, MD).
• Medication: If medication is necessary, use age-friendly medication that does not interfere with What Matters to the older adult, Mobility, or Mentation across settings of care. (Led by: Jennifer Fiebert, pharmacist).
• Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat, and manage dementia, depression, and delirium across settings of care. (Led by: Glaxy Roy, education).
• Mobility: Ensure that older adults move safely every day to maintain function and do What Matters. (Led by: Joel Marimuthu, physical therapist).

Before it became an Age-Friendly Health System Hospital, Huntington Hospital’s emergency department last year earned a level 3 accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians as a geriatric emergency department for elevating care of seniors in one or more specific areas. Additionally, the hospital has geriatric-trained hospitalists and a nine-person palliative medicine team made up of physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, and chaplains.

In 2022, the hospital opened the Reichert Family Caregiver Center as a space for caregivers as they manage the daily demands and logistics of caring for sick loved ones. The center, in the hospital's main lobby, offers a space for caregivers to sit and talk with trained caregiver coaches.

"Huntington Hospital has always been on the forefront of patient care, and that’s why we
are participating in this vital movement," said Maria Torroella Carney, MD, Northwell’s chief of
geriatrics and palliative medicine. "We look forward to both sharing our best practices and
learning what’s working for others proving age-friendly care. The Age-Friendly Health Systems
initiative is an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best
care possible."