For Immediate Release
September 8, 2008
Contact: Robert Cavanaugh
732-776-4166
rcavanaugh@meridianhealth.com

JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER STATEMENT

Neptune, NJ - The following statement was issued by Steven G. Littleson, FACHE, president of Jersey Shore University Medical Center in response to the statement issued today by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office:

From the moment this serious allegation was brought forward to us, we have focused on cooperating with authorities to determine what happened, assuring the safety of our patients, and protecting the rights of our team members.

We are reassured that our internal reporting processes related to patient safety worked and that our culture is such that team members are encouraged to alert administration if they believe something irregular or suspicious has occurred. The safety of our patients is our highest priority, so as soon as questions were raised, we immediately reached out to law enforcement and have cooperated fully with their evaluation of the alleged incident. The nurse under indictment had worked in our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for 11 years, and was an experienced and skilled professional who met all the standards associated with an outstanding nurse. At the time of hire and during all previous background checks, the nurse’s record was without issue or incident.

We deeply regret what the Flamenbaum family is going through. As difficult as these months of uncertainty have been for them and our own team, we trust that the legal process will eventually yield the answers and ultimately the closure we all desire.

This allegation is counter to everything Jersey Shore University Medical Center and its 2,900 caregivers stand for. The quality of care provided at Jersey Shore is ranked among the highest in the state and our cardiac program is among the finest anywhere. Our nursing staff was one of the first in the nation to earn the prestigious Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence — a distinction held by less than 2% of hospitals across the country, and our organization has received multiple patient safety recognitions exemplifying our commitment to providing superior care for our patients.

We are very proud of what we do here at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and in the excellent care that our team delivers each and every day. We will continue to respect and support the legal process as we go about our important commitment of caring for this community.

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