Clinton Township Newsletter

2 7 j u n e 2 0 1 9 Victor A. Rotolo is a long-time resident of Clinton Township and the founder of Rotolo Karch Law. Call Rotolo Karch Law today: 908.534.7900 to discuss any legal situation confronting you. Your half-hour consultation is free of charge! Their attorneys and staff are ready to serve your legal needs. Rotolo Karch Law • 502 US 22 West, Lebanon, NJ 08833. www.RotoloKarchLaw.com W h e n R o u t i n e p R o C e d u R e s l e a d t o m e d i C a l e R R o R s According to a recent study, one in seven Medicare patients experienced medical errors while in the hospital. But medical errors can happen anywhere – hospitals, doctor's offices, surgery centers, nursing homes, pharmacies, even the patient's own home – and they occur more frequently than expected in connection with routine procedures. Six routine procedures have been identified risk areas: biopsies, injections; medical imaging, punctures, tube insertions, and scopes. Things that can go wrong with some of these procedures include: Biopsies: Cross contamination where non-cancerous cells are contaminated, resulting in false positive test results • Mislabeled specimens • Misinterpretation of biopsy results. Injections: Medications administered at the wrong time or not at all • Wrong doses being administered • Incorrect drugs being given • Medications administered through the incorrect route. Medical Imaging: Perceptual errors in which the image is misinterpreted • Cognitive errors leading to misunderstanding the importance of an abnormality. Tube Insertions: Confusing tubes that look similar, like chest tubes and feeding tubes, resulting in medicine or food intended for the stomach going into the chest • Incorrect placement and/or connection, such as placing a feeding tube into the lung instead of the stomach or connecting a tube to a ventilator port • Using universal connectors to connect tubes with dissimilar functions. One possible explanation for such errors may be that the frequency with which these procedures are performed can affect the level of attention and care used. Another possible explanation is that many of these procedures are now performed in outpatient settings that have fewer resources and less supervision than larger hospitals. Whatever the reason, medical errors can result in serious, even life- threatening injuries. Medical malpractice cases are complicated. Several requirements must be met for a claim to be considered valid: the accepted standard of care was violated; the injury resulted from negligence; and the patient suffered significant damages (permanent disability, severe pain and suffering, significant medical bills, loss of income). The best defense: be your own medical advocate – ask questions and express your concerns. If you suspect you're a victim of medical malpractice, seek counsel from an experienced medical malpractice attorney. – Victor Rotolo t h e C l i n t o n t o W n s h i p h i s t o R i C a l p R e s e R v a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n Starting anew… It can be difficult to take over a project or task that has been done extremely well in the past by others. Historically, the Preservation Commission (a clever play on words don't you think?) would publish interesting articles about our township's history. Well, we dropped the ball for a while and now we're back. Think of it as a reintroduction to an old friend you have some "history with" – I guess I should stop here with the so-called play on words and assure you future articles will be by our members with the appropriate writing skills and sense of humor. On a serious note, I would like to reintroduce the Clinton Township's Historical Preservation Commission's (HPC – yes, we have an acronym – doesn't everybody?) charter. The HPC reviews applications and plans submitted to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Construction Office to assist in the review of such applications and plans as they relate to the impact on historic structures, physical or cultural significant attributes. The HPC's comments are sent to the appropriate group, the Mayor and Council for consideration. We develop reuse/historic reclamation programs and provide recommendations to contractors, property owners and partner historical groups. We host an annual walking tour of one of our historic districts to educate the public on its significance to the community. We also participate in the township's community day, sharing historical township information with our neighbors. The HPC would like to extend an invitation to our neighbors to share your historical Clinton Township pictures and stories with the Commission. Our mailing address is: Clinton Township Historical Preservation Commission, 1225 Route 31 South, Suite D, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Finally, I would like to introduce your Historical Preservation Commissioners. They volunteer their time and talent to help protect and share our township's history. They are: Bill Buriak, Vice Chairman, Richard Scheick, Secretary, Amy Switlyk, Council Liaison, Ted Bozzi, Commissioner, Michael Hathaway, Commissioner, Neil Simonelli, Commissioner and Mark Uccardi, Commissioner There's much to share, so please look for our future articles regarding our past and recent history – we're all in it together and we look forward to sharing it with you! – Steve Bayly, Chairman, Clinton Township Historical Preservation Commission "Do what we can, summer will have its flies." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson J o i n u s a t t h e f R e e d o m h o u s e n J g o l f C l a s s i C ! The persistence of alcohol and drug abuse and the explosion in opioid addiction are putting unprecedented strain on our state's families and workplaces. This could be a family member, friend or co-worker who is directly or indirectly effected by this disease. No one is immune. The support generated through the 28th Annual Freedom House – Larry Grantham Charity Golf Classic allows Freedom House to provide programs and services for men and women suffering from substance use and co-occurring disorders without the barrier of financial restraints. The event is to be held Tuesday, July 23 at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club. This year's emcee for the day will once again be our favorite, Scott Clark – former Director of Sports at WABC TV in New York. Freedom House New Jersey, founded in 1986, provides four innovative model programs for those suffering from substance use and co-occurring disorders: long-term residential treatment in a halfway house setting to adult males; Transitional/sober living programs for men; The Family Afterward a transitional program that provides intensive case management for women who are recovering from alcoholism and/or drug addiction and who are seeking reunification with their children; and the two outpatient locations for men and women who are in need of treatment, but also need to maintain their careers and family life during the recovery period. Freedom House is committed to saving lives and reuniting families by keeping our doors and minds open, our staff engaged and our mission alive. We have too many success stories over 32 years to stop now. Our commitment to the future remains firm. For more information, please call 908.617.5492 or visit www. freedomhousenj.org.

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