News from the University Hospital at Downstate
October 2025

A Message from Patricia A. Winston, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE 
Interim CEO of University Hospital at Downstate

Enhancing Patient Safety and Air Quality with Synexis Technology

We are proud to announce the implementation of Synexis Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP®) technology in our Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Emergency Room (ER)—a major step forward in ensuring cleaner, safer environments for our patients and staff.

Continuous Protection in Critical Care Areas

The Synexis system provides continuous, 24/7 microbial reduction in occupied spaces by generating low concentrations of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP®)—a gas-phase form of hydrogen peroxide. Unlike traditional disinfection methods that require empty rooms or scheduled applications, Synexis operates safely around the clock, even when spaces are fully occupied.

The DHP® concentration levels are extremely low—approximately 1/500th of the published Permissible Exposure Limits for hydrogen peroxide—making them completely safe for patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel.

Reducing Pathogens and Improving Air Quality

Within healthcare settings, where infection control is paramount, DHP® technology targets bacteria, viruses, and fungi that contribute to Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs). By continuously reducing these pathogens in the air and on surfaces, the system helps to mitigate potential infection risks before they can spread.

In addition to microbial control, DHP® also oxidizes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)—chemicals that can contribute to unpleasant odors and poor indoor air quality. The result is a fresher, cleaner environment that benefits both patients and staff.

Commitment to Safety and Innovation

The installation of Synexis in our MICU and ER underscores Downstate’s ongoing commitment to investing in innovative technologies that enhance patient safety and care quality. These systems work quietly in the background, reinforcing our infection prevention efforts and contributing to a healthier, more comfortable healing environment.

As we continue to explore advanced solutions for clinical safety and environmental health, Downstate remains dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of care, protection, and excellence for everyone who walks through our doors.

Transplant Division Excels in CMS Recertification Survey

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Recertification Survey for the Transplant Division, held from September 8–10.

This unannounced survey, which occurs every five years, focuses specifically on CMS conditions for transplant programs. Our last survey took place in September 2020, identifying a few areas for improvement. This year, however, the Transplant Division achieved an outstanding result—completing the three-day review with no pending findings.

Surveyors offered glowing praise for the program’s operations and the remarkable progress made since the previous assessment. One of the surveyors, who had also participated in 2020, commended the program’s significant growth and development, calling it a “remarkable 180-degree improvement.”

Patients interviewed during the survey shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experiences with Downstate’s transplant team, reinforcing the division’s reputation for compassionate, high-quality care.

The survey team highlighted the strong quality program managed by Andrea S. Johnson, RN, MBA, CCTC, and Charmaine Browne, BSN, MSN, RN. Their leadership, along with the dedication of the entire transplant team, played a key role in this achievement.

We also extend sincere congratulations to our colleagues across Nursing, Social Work, and all supporting departments whose collaboration and professionalism contributed to the survey’s success.

This accomplishment reflects the collective commitment to excellence that defines us at UHD. Transplant’s success exemplifies how teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement can elevate patient care and organizational performance.

Congratulations once again to everyone on the Transplant team involved for this extraordinary achievement—and for setting a standard of excellence that inspires our entire community.

Spotlight on Emergency Preparedness

Last month marked National Preparedness Month and we would like to recognize the Emergency Preparedness team for its outstanding work in keeping our hospital ready for all circumstances and our patients safe. Our amazing team continues to strengthen patient safety, staff readiness, and institutional resilience through major preparedness initiatives. These efforts, which range from enhanced evacuation tools to modernized communication systems and interactive staff training events, demonstrate UHD’s proactive approach to emergency readiness.

Below are several initiatives recently implemented:

Med-Sled Deployment Across All Patient Floors

To enhance emergency evacuation capability, UHD is deploying Med-Sled devices across all patient care floors. Med-Sleds enable staff to move patients safely—even those weighing significantly more than the transporter —through hallways and stairwells without lifting.

Placement is being prioritized in areas with the highest patient populations, ensuring staff have rapid access to lifesaving evacuation tools during emergencies.

This investment supports compliance with Joint Commission standards for emergency evacuation and expands our ability to respond effectively during high-risk events.

Training sessions will soon be rolled out to clinical teams, focusing on safe stairwell navigation, techniques for securing and stabilizing patients, and coordinated team movement. This initiative represents a major step forward in building a stronger, more resilient emergency response system.

Special thanks to Facilities Management & Development (FM&D), Nursing Leadership, and Training and Compliance for their collaboration in implementing this important safety measure.

Mass Notification Modernization

UHD is upgrading its enterprise mass notification system, transitioning from SendWordNow to a next-generation platform selected by SUNY System.

The new system will offer:

• Real-time threat intelligence integration
• Automated HR data syncing for accurate contact lists
• Mobile-first design, ensuring staff can be reached anywhere
• Enhanced redundancy and delivery speed for crisis communication

This modernization will strengthen Downstate’s resilience and communication reliability and align with SUNY’s enterprise-wide initiative to strengthen emergency alert capabilities.

Implementation, managed through SUNY System Administration, is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

National Preparedness Month: Staff Education Event

In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, Emergency Preparedness hosted a day-long Emergency Management Education Event on September 29 in PHAB Hall. The program built hands-on skills, enhanced staff knowledge, and reinforced compliance with Joint Commission emergency readiness standards.

Event Highlights

• Rotating Training Stations
  • Stop the Bleed/Tourniquet Training
  • NYCEM “Get Ready NY” Preparedness Resources
  • Preparedness Bingo (interactive knowledge checks)
  • Lunch & Networking to foster cross-department collaboration
• Raffle Prizes included Bleeding Control Kits, Door Jammers, and Emergency To-Go Bags

Throughout the day, hundreds of staff members participated during breaks or supervisor-approved times, gaining valuable skills to enhance both personal and professional preparedness.

Special thanks to Government Affairs, Volunteer Services, and University Police for their collaboration.

The event was fully grant-funded, ensuring no operational budget impact. By benchmarking against peer institutions, we successfully established a new annual signature event and a model for leadership in hospital emergency preparedness.

A Culture of Preparedness

These combined initiatives—the deployment of Med-Sleds, modernization of mass notification systems, and institution-wide training— illustrate Downstate’s proactive and coordinated approach to safety, resilience, and continuous improvement.

Together, they reflect Downstate’s continued commitment to ensuring UHD remains ready, responsive, and resilient—no matter the challenge.

Please enjoy some pictures from our National Preparedness Month 1st Annual Staff Education Day held last month.

Strengthening Collaboration to Prevent Claim Denials

UHD is advancing a strategic alliance between the Case Management and Finance teams to reduce and prevent claim denials, emphasizing the link between clinical excellence and financial stewardship.

Through closer alignment, both teams are working to ensure that patient care documentation supports medical necessity and appropriate reimbursement, while maintaining Downstate’s high standards for compliance and quality.

A key component of this initiative is the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help capture critical data elements within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). These tools will assist in identifying documentation gaps, strengthen clinical validation, and support timely, accurate claims submission.

UHD is also recruiting Utilization Review–specific Nurses to expand the team’s capacity for timely reviews, proactive payor communication, and early identification of potential denial risks.

Together, these initiatives foster a more integrated approach to utilization management—one that enhances regulatory compliance, improves reimbursement outcomes, and reinforces Downstate’s dedication to patient-centered, high-quality care. By combining innovation, teamwork, and accountability, we continue to build a system where quality care and operational excellence go hand-in-hand.

Employee of the Month: Charlene Waldron, RN

Congratulations to Charlene Waldron, RN, of Nursing Station 72/74, who has been named Employee of the Month for August. Ms. Waldron exemplifies excellence in patient care, professionalism, and compassion—qualities that inspire her colleagues and the patients she serves.

A recent patient testimonial captures her extraordinary dedication:

‘Good help being hard to find' is simultaneously associated with 'good things don't last'. We should appreciate outstanding employees before someone else recognizes their excellence and whisks them away. While a patient at Downstate, your strong staff of women left no room for error. Precisely and professionally, they insisted my body obey their rules and by having no choice in the matter, it eventually listened to their unyielding demands.

This hip replacement tested me as a person. My body healing could be left for the doctors and was easy, although centering and staying in the moment was not. A flood of uncertainty I’ve never known was making me emotionally frail, scared, and humiliated. Feeling safe and appearing assured on the outside, but not secure on the inside, I lacked a developmental platform in which to work upon. I needed a reliable support system.

Ms. Waldron is your nurse in rehabilitation on the 7th floor, and as all of your nurses have been trained proficiently. There are those that can be nurses and others practicing what school cannot teach. It is effortless trusting Ms. Waldron. She understands the futility of words and instead exhibits her intentions through gesture and deed. Slowly but surely as I braved my situation, Ms. Waldron would silently stand as a confidant. Her gentle disposition monitoring my emotional state and granting whatever time was necessary for me to regain my confidence. Whether at any given moment I felt courageous or frightened, was not Ms. Waldron's emphasis, but that I bestowed myself permission to feel whatever I would at the time. I will declare quite comfortably that this is the first time I allowed myself to acknowledge a right to be weak, which I reluctantly accepted but now will never regret.

Please commend Ms. Waldron's competency and caring. While most people leave the hospital better than they were, I have left greater.

This heartfelt reflection speaks volumes about the care, empathy, and professionalism that Ms. Waldron brings to her work every day.

We extend our deepest appreciation to her for the impact she has on the lives of our patients.

UHD Acknowledges