Hackensack University Medical Center Receives 2019 Star Award for Research Excellence from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Congress

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center was recently honored by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Congress in San Diego.

A research team, led by Joseph E. Parrillo, M.D., chair of the Heart and Vascular Hospital and the Justice Marie L. Garibaldi Endowed Chair at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, was awarded the 2019 Star Award for Research Excellence from the SCCM for participating in a study entitled, “Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW), A Novel Indicator of Sepsis-2 and Sepsis-3 in High Risk Emergency Department Patients.”

“Sepsis and septic shock are real challenges in American Medicine today,” said Dr. Parrillo. “If a patient develops septic shock, the mortality rate is 40-50 percent. This study shows that a new blood test, called the Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW), significantly helps in the diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock and provides substantial added value compare to current sepsis screening approaches.”

The study enrolled 2,158 patients who sought treatment in emergency departments.  Hackensack University Medical Center, which was the one of three health care facilities selected to participate, provided more than 700 patients who participated in the study. The research team at Hackensack University Medical Center, led by Dr. Parrillo included:

Joseph Parrillo, M.D., chair of the Heart and Vascular Hospital

Keri Bicking, Pharm D., Department of Pharmacy

Patricia Arakelian RN, BSN, CCRC, CCRP, research nurse coordinator and manager, Cardiovascular Research

David Lai RN, BSN, research nurse coordinator

Peter M. Canino, RN, BS., RCIS, research nurse coordinator

Jana Tancredi, RN, MA/MSN, CCRN, research nurse coordinator

Deborah O'Neill, CCRP, research coordinator

Lisa McFarlane, Ph.D., manager, Laboratory Operations

Kaushika Gandhi, medical technologist level III, Laboratory

Maria-Elena Andrews-Sanchez, medical technologist level III, Laboratory

Patricia Ferranda, RN, project lead

Jennifer Kleven, M.D., attending physician, Emergency and Trauma Center

Paarth Raj, D.O., attending physician Emergency and Trauma Center

Gabrielle Procopio, PharmD, BCPS, emergency medicine clinical pharmacist and director,  PGY2 Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Residency Program

Dr. Parrillo says the next step is a Decision Impact Study.

“The first phase of the study shows that the MDW is a reliable diagnostic test for developing sepsis,” added Dr. Parrillo.  “In the second phase, we will monitor the outcomes of those patients treated with antibiotics soon after diagnosis.”

“If you begin antibiotics early, the survival rate is much higher,” said Keri Bicking, Pharm D., Department of Pharmacy at Hackensack University Medical Center.  “The speed at which you make the diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock and implement treatment can make the difference between life and death and ultimately reduce the mortality rate in these patients.”

About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care, which is comprised of 34,100 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as one of the top two hospitals in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Hospital rankings. It was also named one of the top five New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 25 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.