Planning Your Stay
In addition to our health care services, we have a variety of professionals who can help you at Mount Sinai Brooklyn. Our translators, nurse managers, physicians and physician assistants, social workers, and clergy are all here for you.
Language and Translation
The Language and Support Services Department serves many duties at Mount Sinai Brooklyn. Some of the services provided include:
- Requests
- Grievances
- Complaints
- Follow-ups with patients
- Educating patients about their rights and responsibilities
In addition, the Language and Support Services Department works with all other departments to assure timely and efficient care, doubling as a liaison to the professional and hospital billing offices, assisting with all advanced directives and explaining policies and procedures.
The Department ensures that should any investigation be required, it will be initiated with the proper medical personnel and we will direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution. This may apply to a discharge follow up care as well. Additionally, the Language and Support Services Department:
- Sets up any special communications (i.e., video remote interpreting (VRI) unit interpretation for the deaf)
- Does all language interpreting set-ups if the Language Line is not appropriate for use
- Provides translation for any patient who requests the need for such a service (languages include Spanish, Russian, Chinese-Mandarin/Cantonese, and more.*
*We use Pacific Interpreters phone translators through Language Line: they offer interpretation of all languages spoken in New York.
*The Patient Representative Office is responsible for organizing all language translations through the Pacific Interpreters’ Language Line, VRI unit for the deaf and mute, working with various local organizations (i.e., Deaf and Hard of Hearing sign language services for face-to-face translations).
*If a patient deaf or hearing-impaired, a special symbol will be placed at their bedside, once permission is given. We can bring sign language interpreters to the Hospital if you request one from the nurse supervisor (MSB # 718-951-2700) or patient representative (MSB # for patient rep. 718-951-3005).
Nurse Managers
A clinical nurse manager directs each floor of the Hospital. It is the nurse manager's responsibility to ensure the floor runs safely and efficiently. Nurse managers are available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Feel free to speak to the nurse manager to discuss any issues that may arise.
House Physicians & Physician Assistants
House physicians and physician assistants are on the patient floors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They monitor the patients' condition and work with the attending physicians to implement the prescribed course of treatment.
Pain Relief
The nurses caring for patients will assist you with strategies to reduce pain and discomfort. A pain management service, staffed by specially trained physicians and nurses, is available upon request through the patient’s attending physician.
Social Work
Our Social Work department works with all disciplines to identify what patients may need through the discharge planning process. We offer assistance in developing a healthcare plan to make sure you receive ongoing healthcare maintenance even after being discharged from the hospital. Our goal is to help you become more independent despite your illness.
The discharge plan is interdisciplinary and involves you and your immediate family members, doctors, nurse, social worker, dietitian, pharmacist, and others. We assess your healthcare needs and arrange to have those needs met after discharge.
For all questions regarding Social Work services contact:
Lynda Cetta RN, BSN, CCM
Director of Care Management
Phone: 718-951-2789
Lcetta@chpnet.org
Religious Services
At Mount Sinai Brooklyn, we understand that healing involves the whole person—mind, body, and soul. Our Pastoral Care Department offers support to patients, their loved ones, and our staff. It is a multi-faith department.
At Mount Sinai Brooklyn, the Pastoral Care Department:
- Empowers patients, families, and staff to draw upon the strengths of their spiritual resources.
- Provides ritual items for most faith traditions and spiritual practices
- Offers religious texts and spiritual literature
- Administers religious rituals and sacraments
- Offers prayers and blessings, if desired
- Assists families with end-of-life issues
- Supports patients, families, and staff with grief counseling
- Identifies available resources in the community
- Contacts and coordinates with community clergy and volunteers
The Department, under the auspices of the hospital’s interdisciplinary team, spends time with patients and families and provides a compassionate and non-judgmental presence to those in need.
We also provide a Bikur Cholim room that is fully stocked with foods for family use and is manned by devoted volunteers who make daily visits to patients.
Mount Sinai Brooklyn also has one full kosher kitchen under the supervision of the Vaad of Brooklyn providing various types of diets for all patients who keep kosher.
We also provide a Shabbat elevator for visiting families, operating on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.