Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s Emergency Department is now designated a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
In addition to the training and certification, IBCCES also completed an onsite review of the medical center to provide additional recommendations to enhance the overall experience for autistic and sensory-sensitive patients and their families.
“In response to the needs expressed by the diverse populations we serve, our new Emergency Department will feature a living room design with a calming environment where neurodivergent individuals can feel comfortable and safe,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.
“We were proud to partner with IBCCES to become a Certified Autism Center™ so that our team has the training to provide equitable emergency care to all those who need it, enhancing health equity and improving patient outcomes,” Visconi added.
Importance of Specialized Training
Individuals with autism often have differences from neurotypical patients related to communication, pain perception, and other treatments, highlighting the importance of autism training for hospital and emergency department staff. This can help prevent unnecessary care delays or misdiagnosis, patient anxiety, and potential sensory meltdowns.
“Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s Emergency Department is leading the way to more inclusion for autistic and sensory-sensitive patients, which can be life-changing for many families. We’re excited to continue to support them as they provide much-needed care for their community,” said Myron Pincomb, Board Chairman, IBCCES.
IBCCES Leading The Way
Since 2001, IBCCES has been the leader in autism, neurodiversity, and cognitive training and certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES created programs specifically for hospitals, emergency rooms, and other medical professionals to help better support this growing, but underserved, part of the community.
IBCCES is the only credentialing board offering these types of programs, which include training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, as well as long-term support, continuous learning, and more.
Certified Autism Centers
IBCCES also created CertifiedAutismCenter.com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.
A Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) facility or organization has a minimum of 80% of their staff highly trained, fully equipped, and certified in the field of autism. In order for an organization to earn status as a Board Certified Cognitive Center (BCCC), staff must undergo training and certification in areas of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, and more. Certified providers include professionals in both healthcare and education who have completed additional training to better assist autistic individuals.
About Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC), a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital located at 230 East Ridgewood Ave., Paramus, New Jersey. The Medical Center is both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in NJ and the fourth largest, publicly owned hospital in the nation.
Bergen New Bridge, a not-for-profit safety net facility, provides high-quality comprehensive services, including acute and ambulatory care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, long-term care, 24/7 emergency department, surgical suites, physical rehabilitation, pharmacy, laboratory, radiologic services (including digital mammography).
It is a leading provider of COVID 19 testing, vaccinations, and therapeutics. The Medical Center also has satellite offices in Bergenfield, Englewood, and Paterson. Primary care and other health and wellness services are available at the hospital’s CareRite Now centers located in select Inserra Supermarkets in Bergen County.
Bergen New Bridge is in network with all major New Jersey commercial insurance plans covering 99.91% of NJ residents and is a Veterans Community Care Provider. It is also a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Learn more at www.newbridgehealth.org.