Good Samaritan University Hospital: A Comprehensive Overview

Good Samaritan University Hospital, located in West Islip, New York, stands as a prominent 537-bed non-profit teaching hospital on Long Island. As a member of Catholic Health and established by the Daughters of Wisdom, it has a rich history of serving the community since its opening in May 1959. The hospital is committed to providing high-quality care, demonstrated by its Magnet designation for nursing excellence since 2006 and its recognition as a Level I adult trauma center and a Level II pediatric trauma center.

History and Expansion

The hospital has undergone several expansions to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community. A significant expansion, the sixth one, commenced in 1998, adding a new two-story structure connected to the main building. In February 1980, Good Samaritan expanded its services by acquiring the former Sayville Nursing Home, catering to elderly patients requiring specialized care. Recognizing the importance of breast health, the hospital opened its Breast Health Center in February 1994, becoming Long Island's first comprehensive breast health center.

In September 2022, Good Samaritan University Hospital embarked on its 7th expansion, the Patient Care Pavilion. This 300,000-square-foot facility, slated to open soon, will feature a state-of-the-art 78-bed adult enhanced emergency department to accommodate the over 80,000 patients who seek emergency care annually. The pavilion will also include 16 new operating rooms and 2 hybrid operating rooms, further enhancing the hospital's surgical capabilities.

Rankings and Recognition

Good Samaritan University Hospital has received recognition for its performance in various medical specialties and procedures. It is rated high performing in 2 adult procedures and conditions, reflecting its commitment to providing quality care.

U.S. News & World Report evaluates data from nearly 5,000 hospitals to generate hospital rankings. To achieve national ranking in a specialty, a hospital must demonstrate excellence in caring for the sickest and most medically complex patients.

Areas of Expertise

The hospital is evaluated in various adult specialties, including:

Cancer Care

Good Samaritan University Hospital provides comprehensive cancer care, including treatment for:

Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma
Colon Cancer
Gynecological Cancer
Lung Cancer
Prostate Cancer

The hospital is an NCI-designated cancer center, indicating its dedication to cancer research and treatment. Its performance in procedures and conditions related to cancer is closely monitored, with ratings such as "As Expected" for Colon Cancer Surgery, Gynecological Cancer Surgery, and Prostate Cancer Surgery. Lung Cancer Surgery is also evaluated.

Cardiology and Vascular Surgery

The hospital's cardiology and vascular surgery services encompass a wide range of procedures and conditions, including:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Heart Attack
Heart Arrhythmia
Aortic Valve Surgery
Heart Bypass Surgery
Heart Failure
Pacemaker Implantation
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Diabetes and Endocrinology

Good Samaritan University Hospital addresses diabetes and endocrine disorders, providing comprehensive care and management strategies.

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Gastroenterology and GI Surgery

The hospital's gastroenterology department offers advanced diagnostic and treatment options for various gastrointestinal conditions, including Colon Cancer Surgery.

Geriatrics

The hospital provides specialized care for elderly patients, addressing their unique healthcare needs.

Neurology and Neurosurgery

The neurology and neurosurgery departments offer comprehensive services for neurological disorders, including:

Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
Stroke

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Good Samaritan University Hospital provides comprehensive women's health services, including:

Gynecological Cancer Surgery
Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy)

Orthopedics

The hospital's orthopedics department specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

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Hip Fracture
Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
Hip Replacement
Knee Replacement

Pulmonology and Lung Surgery

The pulmonology department offers advanced care for respiratory conditions, including:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Lung Cancer Surgery
Pneumonia

Urology

The hospital's urology department provides comprehensive care for urological conditions, including Prostate Cancer Surgery.

Patient Experience

Patient experience is a priority at Good Samaritan University Hospital. The hospital gathers patient feedback through surveys to assess their satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey is administered to patients after their hospital stay to evaluate their overall experience. The survey covers various aspects, including:

Overall satisfaction with the hospital
Willingness to recommend the hospital to others
Communication with doctors and nurses
Responsiveness of hospital staff
Cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment
Pain management
Discharge information

Socioeconomic Representation in Access to Care

Good Samaritan University Hospital is committed to providing equitable access to care for all members of the community. The hospital monitors socioeconomic representation in its patient population to ensure that it is serving diverse communities.

Key indicators include:

Representation of low-income patients treated at the hospital (Medicaid patients)
Percentage of patients treated by the hospital who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods (based on the Area Deprivation Index)
Representation of non-white patients
Representation of Black patients
Representation of Asian American and Pacific Islander patients
Representation of Hispanic patients
Representation of Native American patients

These data points help the hospital assess its reach and identify opportunities to improve access to care for underserved populations.

Outcomes Disparities

Good Samaritan University Hospital is dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring equitable outcomes for all patients. The hospital monitors outcomes disparities, such as the success rate of enabling Black patients to live at home during their first 30 days of recovery, compared to White patients. By identifying and addressing these disparities, the hospital strives to provide culturally sensitive and equitable care to all patients.

Medical Education Programs

Good Samaritan University Hospital is a teaching hospital that operates a number of medical residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) with osteopathic recognition. These programs provide training opportunities for aspiring physicians, contributing to the development of future healthcare professionals.

Incident

In 1987, American serial killer Richard Angelo was arrested following a urinalysis which showed elevated levels of Pavulon and Anectine. Later testing confirmed by Good Samaritan Hospital determined that Angelo's other victims were also positive for the same drugs.

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