In most hospitals, central service technicians prepare, distribute and control the sterile and non-sterile items and equipment used in all areas of the hospital.  Central service personnel are responsible for decontamination, cleaning, processing, assembling, sterilization, storing and distributing medical devices and supplies used in patient care. They are primarily located in the operating room where their skills and accuracy can influence the successful outcome of a surgery.

A primary responsibility is cleaning and sterilizing surgical and diagnostic equipment and medical devices.  They also have a huge role in the proper handling of hazardous materials so that pathogens like Hepatitis, Herpes and HIV are not passed on to other staff and potentially patients.

 “It is great for the safety of every patient in a hospital that the Senate has passed this bill today.  The role of the central service technician is vital to all patient care in the healthcare facility.  In an effort to decrease incidents of infection, this bill will require continuing education in addition to initial certification for those who occupy this important role,” said Senator Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo).  “Quality Improvement in the hospital setting can make a huge difference in the length of stay, overall costs and health of the patient.  This is one step toward improving healthcare quality statewide.”

A person shall not function as a central service technician in a healthcare facility unless they hold and maintain the certified registered credential administered by the international association of healthcare central service material management (IAHCSMM) or the certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential administered by the certification board for sterile processing and distribution (CBSPD).

A person who meets the criteria as a central service technician in a healthcare facility must annually complete twelve hours of continuing education credits to remain qualified to function as a central service technician.

Zemsky, who was renominated for the job by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, takes over the NFTA at a time of financial troubles for the transit agency, questions over service routes and a push for it to relinquish land it owns on the outer harbor.

Zemsky, whose nomination was easily approved Tuesday afternoon by the Senate, has served on the NFTA board for seven years. Henry Sloma, a holdover Republican appointee from Niagara County, has served as acting chairman since 2009 while Senate Republicans declined to act on his replacement.

“It’s a great pleasure for me to heartily recommend to my colleagues this positive appointment by the governor,” Sen. George D. Maziarz, a Newfane Republican and Sloma ally, told colleagues Tuesday afternoon.

“OK, let’s go, he’s waited long enough,” Sen. Tim Kennedy, a South Buffalo Democrat, told his colleagues before a Transportation Committee earlier in the day considered — and quickly pushed through — Zemsky’s nomination.

Though nominated by Spitzer, Zemsky has grown close to Cuomo and his administration, and he is co-chairman of a regional economic development council that is charged with helping the state steer job-creation money.

“It’s been a logjam for three years. It’s been three different governors with no permanent chair of the NFTA, which is a disservice to the second largest transportation authority in New York State,” said Assemblyman Sean M. Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat who earlier this year had pressed for Sloma’s resignation.

“During that time, we had a proposal for massive route reductions, we’ve had a fare increase, we’ve had a big outer harbor problem. No leadership that whole time, so Howard Zemsky, I hope, will be a breath of fresh air,” Ryan said.

He noted New York has had three governors since Zemsky was first nominated to be NFTA chairman.

“We’ve got to streamline that process and depoliticize it. There’s no reason why that appointment wasn’t made immediately, but it wasn’t, and the NFTA suffered and had to limp along without a permanent chairman,” he said.

Two other nominations by Cuomo to the NFTA board have yet to be taken up by the Senate. The NFTA handles 30 million passenger trips a year on its bus and light rail systems.

Zemsky’s post, which is unpaid, is set to end in June 2016. Like Sloma, he could remain on the board past that time if a governor does not nominate and win approval for his replacement. Born in Brooklyn, Zemsky has lived in Buffalo since 1981 and is a managing partner at Taurus Partners, a real estate investment firm.

“I’m happy that he believes the NFTA needs to get out of the real estate industry and focus on transportation,” said Sen. Mark Grisanti, a Buffalo Republican. Cuomo said Zemsky’s business experience “will be an asset to the NFTA leadership team as they seek to provide quality and reliable service.” He thanked Sloma for his service and the Senate for its “swift confirmation” of Zemsky.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/capital-connection/albany/article857726.ece

Beginning Sunday, May 20 and continuing until Sunday, October 7, the public will have 10 opportunities to experience the grandeur of this unique historic site.

2012 public guided tour dates are: May 20th , June 10th, June 24th ,July 8th, July 22nd, August 5th, August 19th , September 2nd, September 16th and October 7th (Tower Tour Day Only).

When opened in 1929, Buffalo Central Terminal was one of the largest and most modern railroad terminals in the world. Known for its grand art deco architecture, towering office building and cavernous internal spaces, the last passenger train to depart the structure was in 1979.

During the guided tours, visitors will access areas of the building not open during special events, gain insight into the Terminal’s colorful past and learn about ongoing plans for the restoration and development of the complex.

Tours depart from the Terminal Store located in the building’s entrance lobby, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, New York.  Unless noted, all tours begin promptly at 11a and last two hours. Cost is $10 per person.

Advanced reservations for tours are recommended by emailing questions@BuffaloCentralTerminal.org

Groups of 15 or more are asked to schedule their visit in advance. All tour dates and times are subject to change. Please dress accordingly as tours take place both inside and outside the building, rain or shine.

For updated information or questions call 716-810-3210.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations.

Visit www.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org for more information.

The NFTA runs public transportation services in Erie and Niagara counties, including Metro Bus and Metro Rail, as well as the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport. The NFTA also operates a downtown bus terminal and a large marina at Buffalo’s Small Boat Harbor.
   
In lauding the selection and confirmation of Zemsky, Grisanti cited Zemsky’s record of accomplishment for Western New York.

“Howard Zemsky possesses an unparalleled commitment to the community. His accomplishments on projects such as the old Larkin Soap Co. warehouse on Exchange Street, the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright Darwin Martin House in North Buffalo and the effort to restore the landmark Richardson Olmsted Complex on Forest Avenue are helping to change the landscape of Western New York for the better. The fact that he is bringing that passion and expertise to the NFTA will certainly make the NFTA a stronger and more efficient organization.”

Grisanti also noted that Zemsky is also co-chairman of the Western New York Regional Economic Council, which recently won $103 million in state economic development funding.

“Governor Cuomo clearly has a great deal of confidence in Howard’s ability,” said Grisanti. “As we continue to work for the betterment of the people and businesses of Western New York, I cannot think of a better choice to lead the NFTA.”

They help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. The groups encourage caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health, as well as optimally care for the person with dementia.

Support Groups are held every second Wednesday of every month at 7pm at Grove Street Christian Church, located at 85 Grove Street in Tonawanda.

For more information, call Nancy Swiston at 626-0600 or 1-800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/wny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f3b6gQ4LH3M#%21

The award recognizes a distinguished woman from our area who contributes to making our community better, our families stronger and serves as an example to others.

Loraine O’Donnell has been chosen for all that she does to support the arts, fight for equal rights for all, protect children from bullying and volunteer to support important groups in our community.  Her work on stage and in radio and TV has given a voice to those who do not have a microphone.

She has demonstrated that she can rally people behind a cause and get things accomplished whether it is by signing a petition or getting people to attend an event.  Never one to shy away from a fight, Loraine is a bull dog for the arts and artists in our area.

“It is with great pleasure that a nominate Loraine O’Donnell as a woman of distinction.  She has made a difference in our community by protecting the arts and standing up for the rights of all people.  This is a special opportunity to honor women and thank them for the pride they bring to our community.  So I thank Loraine for all that she does to make Buffalo a better community for us all,” said Senator Grisanti (R-60).

The NY Senate will honor Loraine O’Donnell at a May 15th Albany ceremony, where each honoree’s photograph and biography will become a part of a special exhibit proclaiming the contributions of these exemplary New York Women.

Previous winners have included leading women from the world of business, academics and civic life, as well as those who have performed heroic or selfless acts, made significant discoveries or provided examples of personal excellence against difficult odds.  The Women of Distinction program was created as part of the Senate’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

In addition to recognizing present-day women, each March, the Senate hosts a display that honor other distinguished women from New York’s past, from leaders of the 19th century suffragist movement to pioneers in educations, science and the arts.

My brother Richard has had MS for more than 25 years. I have personally seen first-hand the effects of MS. I walked with my brother, my family and friends and other advocates to show support for the MS Society. I am proud of my brother and everyone else living with MS, as well as those fighting to find a cure.

Western New York has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the United States. The U.S. incidence rate is 133 cases per 100,000 people; in Western New York it is 267 cases per 100,000 people. These numbers are shocking.

We need to find out why the rates are higher here than anywhere else in the United States. That is my goal. I also want to help make prescriptions more affordable so that people affected by MS can be treated.

MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, for which there is no known cure. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. Thanks to growing collaboration, there are improved treatments leading to enhanced quality of life for people with MS.

I look forward to working with colleagues in Albany as a part of the MS Legislative Alliance to ensure that affordable treatment is available for people with MS.

Mark Grisanti

State Senator, 60th District

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/letters-to-the-editor/article855639.ece

Sen. Mark Grisanti said, “We have to take advantage of this technology that is available today, and moving forward, to get this done.”

Grisanti is co-sponsoring a measure that cracks down Medicaid fraud through the use of biometric identification, including eye retinal scans, DNA, and fingerprinting. The senator says if the measure passes, devices like one offered by a Williamsville company could save as much as $5 billion a year – half to the state, half to the federal government.

>> See the scanner in action up close here

“Not only does it crack down on the fraudulent practices, but it relieves a lot of the effort, and a lot the paperwork that is actually put into trying to curb fraud abuse in the Medicaid system,” Grisanti argued.

The device, developed by HealthTransaction Network, stores a person’s identification on a “smart card,” which is scanned by a modem. The person would put that card in front of the machine, and it then reads the digital equivalent of their fingerprints.

There is also a small touchscreen that reads the customer’s thumbprint. If they don’t match up, the consumer is rejected before receiving any Medicaid-reimbursed services, such as prescriptions or medical care.

CEO Joseph Wolfson said, “It is authenticated right on the spot. It is not stored anywhere, it does not go anywhere, and there is just no way for anybody to retrieve that fingerprint.”

Wolfson says the technology is closed and self-contained. The information is not transmitted to a storage facility or database. Grisanti says that should satisfy critics who have opposed technology as an invasion of privacy.

“Again, it saves on the federal and the state level close to $5 billion in Medicaid fraud,” noted Grisanti.

The same bill passed the Republican-controlled State Senate last year, but failed in the Assembly, due mainly to those privacy concerns. Supporters are optimistic this time around, especially now that an identical measure is being sponsored in the Assembly by a New York City Democrat.

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/new_york/new-tech-could-prevent-medicaid-fraud