HEALTHCARE CHECKUP
HEALTHCARE CHECKUP
Autism Care, Cardiac Care, and Family Care Updates
By Jamie Grill-Goodman
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Emergency Department Receives Autism Designation
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’ s( BNBMC) Emergency Department has received the Certified Autism Center™( CAC) designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards( IBCCES). In addition to the training and certification, IBCCES also completed an onsite review of the medical center to provide additional recommendations to enhance the overall experience for autistic and sensory-sensitive patients and their families.
“ In response to the needs expressed by the diverse populations we serve, our new Emergency Department will feature a living room design with a calming environment where neurodivergent individuals can feel comfortable and safe,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, BNBMC.
Individuals with autism often have differences from neurotypical patients related to communication, pain perception, and other treatments, highlighting the importance of autism training for hospital and emergency department staff. This can help prevent unnecessary care delays or misdiagnosis, patient anxiety, and potential sensory meltdowns.
“ Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’ s Emergency Department is leading the way to
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’ s Emergency Department has received the Certified Autism Center™ designation.
Photo: BNBMC
Dr. Jeffrey Goldman, radiologist at Holy Name, alongside Holy Name’ s new cutting-edge cardiac imaging technology: photon-counting CT or PCCT.
more inclusion for autistic and sensory-sensitive patients, which can be life-changing for many families. We’ re excited to continue to support them as they provide much-needed care for their community,” said Myron Pincomb, Board Chairman, IBCCES.
Since 2001, IBCCES has been the leader in autism, neurodiversity, and cognitive training and certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES also created CertifiedAutismCenter. com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™( CAC) requirements.
Holy Name Offers New Clinical Innovation in Cardiac Imaging
Holy Name Medical Center is now utilizing a cutting-edge cardiac imaging technology: photon-counting CT or PCCT. This next-generation CT scanner provides benefits to both physicians and patients, including clearer, more detailed images of the heart, exposing patients to less radiation, and provide faster, more accurate diagnoses.
Traditional computed tomography( CT) is a vital tool in diagnosing injuries and diseases within various parts of the body, but CT scans often require multiple steps and expose patients to higher doses of radiation. Comparatively, photon-counting CT technology produces higher-resolution, higher-contrast images with only a single step, dramatically improving clarity and minimizing radiation dose. PCCT enables healthcare providers to assess complex areas like the heart with superior accuracy, particularly in determining the need for further procedures, such as cardiac catheterization.
“ This advancement is changing the standard of care for cardiac and coronary imaging,” said Dr. Jeffrey Goldman, radiologist at Holy Name.“ Coronary CT angioplasty with photon-counting CT, enhanced by AI, allows us to see previously undetected health issues in highly detailed images. The increased resolution of advanced PCCT increases its accuracy which decreases the need for additional tests.”
The greater efficiency translates to an improved patient experience. For example, when the technology is used to help diagnose lung diseases, patients who have trouble holding their breath benefit by the fast speed of the scan, and when used in children, scans can be completed without sedating a child.
PCCT incorporates AI-driven plaque analysis into the process. After a patient undergoes an Alpha CT scan, the resulting image is uploaded to the AI platform that evaluates plaque buildup, assesses the risk for heart disease, and even recommends treatment options.
“ This new technology allows us to confidently rule out blocked arteries, especially in patients
Continued
Photo: Holy Name
14 COMMERCE www. commercemagazinenj. com