Northwell Health’s Multiple Sclerosis Center has earned a three-year accreditation as a comprehensive multiple sclerosis center by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The recognition is awarded to programs that have demonstrated a comprehensive approach to treating the disease by incorporating highly trained specialists, nurses and nurse practitioners from multiple specialties. The society requires accredited hospitals to provide multidisciplinary care that offers a holistic approach that addresses all the needs of the patient including physical, emotional and psychosocial.
“This accreditation shows a model of comprehensive multiple sclerosis care that involves the expertise of many different healthcare professionals — each contributing in a unique way,” said Dr. Asaff Harel,, the director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Northwell Health. “I am so proud of this team and their dedication to our patients.”
Northwell Health earned the accreditation after a rigorous local and national committee review process in which the center demonstrated a disease management approach that includes experts from multiple specialties including urology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuropsychology and social work. The center has also made tremendous advancements in treatment through groundbreaking research and clinical trials.
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological, immune-mediated disease in which a person’s immune system attacks the central nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The disease breaks down a nerve’s myelin – the protective sheath that surrounds and protects a nerve fiber. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis often include vision problems, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness, imbalance and bladder control issues. The disease can also lead to mental fatigue, mood changes and cognitive dysfunction. The risk of developing multiple sclerosis is roughly one in 750-1,000, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
In addition to this accreditation by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the center is also a member of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. The prestigious organization ensures patients have access to the full suite of services required to successfully manage the disease. The main locations for Northwell Health’s Multiple Sclerosis Center are Lenox Hill Hospital, the Northwell Neuroscience Institute at Great Neck and Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where the pediatric-focused center is situated.
