Jersey City, NJ – Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, reached a critical medical milestone in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). From October 2014 through October 2019, the hospital’s NICU had zero cases of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), achieving the rare distinction of being “CLABSI-free” for six years.
CLABSIs are primary bloodstream infections that are associated with the presence of a central vascular catheter, a tube that is placed into a patient’s large vein, usually in the neck, chest, arm or leg, to give fluids and medication, withdraw blood, and monitor the patient’s condition. CLABSI is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality for infants, a population specifically susceptible to infections because of immature immune system.
“Jersey City Medical Center is proud of this achievement, and of our entire Maternal, Child Health and NICU team,” said Michael Prilutsky, President & CEO. “Our goal is always to provide the highest level of safety and care to all our patients, especially to the most vulnerable ones in our care.”
Jersey City Medical Center is a state-designated regional perinatal center. The hospital’s NICU is the only Level 3 and the highest level NICU in Hudson County with 24/7 coverage by board-certified neonatologists. Last year, the NICU cared for over 350 babies, weighting as little as just under a pound and as many as quintuplets born 13 weeks early. The hospital also has one of the state’s only NicView™ system – an innovative webcam system, which offers secure viewing of NICU to families worldwide.
Jersey City Medical Center is scheduled to open the Lord Abbett Maternity Wing in January 2020, which will add 20 private mother-baby rooms to the existing maternity units. To schedule a tour, visit rwjbh.org/maternity.
Ameth Aguirre, MD (far right), Medical Director of NICU and Newborn Services at Jersey City Medical Center, congratulates staff members for 6-year CLABSI-free achievement.
About Jersey City Medical Center
The Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a modern 316-bed teaching hospital located on a campus overlooking the Statue of Liberty and NY Harbor, conveniently located near major highways, PATH, bus and light rail stops on campus. A not-for-profit hospital, JCMC is a state-designated Regional Trauma Center with more than 16,000 admissions and 90,000 Emergency Department visits annually. JCMC has received many industry recognitions, including achieving Magnet recognition for a third time for meeting rigorous standards for nursing excellence; attaining the highest-grade level “A” for safety for 14 reporting periods since 2012; and the Orthopedic Institute being designated as a DNV GL Healthcare-certified Hip & Knee Replacement Program. RWJBarnabas Health and Jersey City Medical Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials. The medical center is also a state-designated stroke center, a regional comprehensive cardiac center, a perinatal intensive care center, a regional level 3 neonatal intensive care unit for critically ill newborns, and home to the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical program in Hudson County. JCMC, a provider of Advanced Life Support for Hudson County, runs 911 Medical Call Screening for Hudson County and operates one of the state’s busiest EMS systems. In addition, Jersey City Medical Center is a major provider of behavioral health services, including 24/7 psychiatric emergency/crisis screening programs.
CONTACT: Sharon Ambis
551-229-3506 or Sharon.Ambis@rwjbh.org