Three Hamilton Physician Group (HPG) practices related to primary care have earned Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) certification through the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

The patient-centered medical home is a model of care that puts patients at the forefront of care. PCMHs build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams. In this setting, patients are encouraged to be more involved in their treatment and care, inspiring them to engage in healthy behaviors in their day-to-day activities. Practices that earn recognition have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care.

The HPG locations with PCMH certification include Hamilton Primary Care in Dalton, HPG – Murray Campus in Chatsworth and HPG – Calhoun Primary Care in Calhoun.

PCMH facilities within HPG include:

• Team-based care with improved communication and coordination of care
• Enhanced wellness visits, preventative care, referrals and chronic care management with improved long-term outcomes
• Same–day appointments available for acute illnesses like colds, flu, stomach problems and infections
• 24-hour access for medical issues
• Customized treatment plans and goal setting

Some of the main benefits of PCMH are higher quality care, improved patient and provider experience, better prevention and management of disease, and a reduction in the overall costs of care by improving patient outcomes.

PCMH standards are based on five core attributes, including:

• Patient-centered care – PCMH practices are required to educate, support and engage patients in their own care through care plan development, goal setting and family/caregiver participation.
• Comprehensive care – PCMH practices must offer whole person care and be accountable for preventative care, acute care and chronic care management.
• Coordinated care – PCMH practices take the lead on organizing and communicating across all care team members and care settings.
• Accessible care – PCMH practices deliver care that is convenient to their patients.
• Commitment to quality and safety – PCMH practices use analytics and electronic medical records as a resource to identify care needs. They ensure that the patient’s record of care is complete with all of the information needed to provide safe, high quality care.

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South Georgia Medical Center now offers enhanced neurosurgery and spine procedures with the StealthStation™ S8, a surgical navigation system designed to help surgeons perform more accurate procedures in the operating room.

The device allows surgeons to track the location of surgical instruments during procedures, offering better visuals and quantified information for surgeons during neurosurgery to assist them in avoiding areas of the brain.

Dr. Brian Dawson, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer and Neurologist, states, “These navigation tools have been used in operating rooms for a long time, and to now have the latest version of this technology at SGMC is a blessing. Our patients will benefit as well as our surgeons as we now have real-time data during the surgery that allows us to improve our own accuracy during the procedure.”

The StealthStation™ S8 enhances previous generations with an intuitive new software interface, high-definition touchscreen monitors and advanced imaging capabilities that allow the surgeon to use pre-operative data during the surgery. The technology also offers planning components that allow the surgeon to review information and anatomical steps about the procedure before the patient enters the OR.

SGMC Neurosurgeon Dr. Kimberly Mackey said, “Image-guidance is a tool that neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons use in the operating room that is essentially like ‘GPS’ for the brain.  With this tool, we take the patient’s pre-operative imaging (CT or MRI) and register it to the patient’s head once they are asleep in the OR.  We can then localize the critical brain structures and the pathology, such as a brain tumor.  It is a great tool to help improve the accuracy and safety of brain surgery.”

SGMC has already performed over 30 surgical procedures with the StealthStation™ S8.

SGMC offers 24/7 neurological services and trauma care. Neurosurgical conditions and procedures treated at SGMC include brain and spine tumors, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, metastatic disease, brain and spine trauma, chiari malformation, hydrocephalus and VP shunt, a full array of spine care and more.

Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) is encouraging community members to be aware about the dangers of stroke and steps to take to avoid stroke. May is National Stroke Awareness Month.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, causing brain cells to die.

“It’s very important to be treated quickly to minimize the effects of a stroke,” said Meagan Darnell, HMC stroke program coordinator. “Knowing the signs of stroke could save your life or the life of a family member or friend.”

The B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym is a valuable tool to help identify a possible stroke. The letters stand for balance, eyes, face, arms, speech and time – all factors in identifying and getting treated for stroke.

“When experiencing the symptoms of stroke, every second counts,” said Darnell. “So does getting the right level of care as quickly as possible.

HMC has a nationally ranked, highly trained Rapid Stroke Team on staff. HMC has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

To avoid stroke, it is recommended to stay active, eat healthy, quit smoking, control cholesterol and watch your blood pressure.

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B.E. F.A.S.T.

Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes – Is there sudden blurred or double vision or sudden, persistent vision trouble?

Face – Ask the person to smile. Is one or both sides of the face drooping?

Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one side drift downward? Is there weakness or numbness on one side?

Speech – Does the person have slurred or garbled speech? Can he/she repeat simple phrases?

Time – Call 911 for immediate medical attention if you notice one or more of these signs. Also, take note of when symptoms began.

With summer starting and Georgia’s temperatures soaring, Atrium Health Navicent encourages the community to take care when cooling down in pools and natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and the ocean to reduce drowning risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is a leading cause of injury and death for young children aged 1 to 14. Three children die every day as a result of drowning.

Parents and others in the community can help prevent drowning by:

• Learning life-saving skills: Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating and moving through the water) and how to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Fencing off swimming pools and other bodies of water near homes: Fencing with self-closing and self-latching gates can help keep children away from water when they aren’t being supervised. Fences also separate homes and play areas from pools and other bodies of water.
• Wear a life jacket: Children and weaker swimmers should wear life jackets in and around pools and other bodies of water – even if they know how to swim.
• Always supervise children in water: When children are in or near water (including bathtubs) they should be supervised at all times. Drowning happens quickly and quietly. Adults supervising should avoid distracting activities like playing cards, reading books, talking on the phone, drinking alcohol and using drugs.

“When it comes to children and water, flotation devices, and even coast guard approved life jackets are helpful but neither replace the need for constant adult supervision,” said Dr. Christy Peterson, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Navicent. “Children should be taught to swim early. But even for strong swimmers, when it comes to children, the need for constant adult supervision still applies.”

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for health care consumers through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

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The community is invited to join Atrium Health Navicent in raising awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, during ALS Awareness Month this May.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As neurons controlling voluntary movement are attacked, ALS patients gradually lose the ability to speak, swallow, move their muscles, and eventually they can no longer breathe.

There is currently no cure for ALS, but symptoms can be managed.

“Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health is the only ALS recognized clinic in central Georgia and one of three in the state,” said Dr. Michael H. Rivner, Director of ALS and Neuromuscular Clinics at Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health. “When a patient comes to our clinic, they receive care from a multidisciplinary team who work to meet their needs all in one appointment and at one location.”

The monthly ALS clinic at Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health offers patients an opportunity to meet with their physician, therapists, a dietician, social worker and others involved in their care.

Patients with a qualifying diagnosis can access the clinic through referral.

For more information, visit https://www.navicenthealth.org/service-center/rehabilitation-hospital-navicent-health or call (478) 201-6748.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for health care consumers through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

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South Georgia Medical Center was recently awarded the Georgia Emergency Medical Service of the Year award for 2020 by the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA).

This award is given to a Georgia licensed emergency medical service (EMS) team that has gone above and beyond in delivering the best patient care and maintaining the best professionalism to communities locally, regionally and within the state of Georgia.

The finalists for the award included Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, DeKalb County Fire Rescue/EMS, Gold Cross EMS, Henry County Fire Department, SGMC EMS, and West Point Fire Department.

David Bauch, Director of EMS, explained that the team is excited and humbled to have received this award for the past year.

“When I found out who the finalists were I knew all of them are excellent Fire and Emergency Services teams. To be told that SGMC EMS was the recipient of this award was truly an honor,” said Bauch.

SGMC EMS was recognized for continuing to efficiently respond to emergencies within the region during the pandemic and transport COVID-19 patients when other hospitals around the region were at capacity.

SGMC EMS was also recognized as the only service in the region to have a Regional Training Center that prides itself in continuing to develop staff through advanced training and programs that are focused on mental health, such as the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program.

Ronald E. Dean, SGMC President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We’ve witnessed extraordinary efforts from our front-line EMS team as they continuously give back to the region of South Georgia selflessly, while on duty and off. We are grateful for their service and proud to seem them honored for all their hard work.”

SGMC EMS has been responding to calls since 1972 and currently responds to an average of 2,010 calls for service each month. SGMC staffs six Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulances strategically located throughout Lowndes County, two ALS ambulances in Lanier County and two Non-Emergency Ambulances.

For more information, visit sgmc.org.

As part of an ongoing commitment to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Atrium Health Navicent has begun vaccinating children aged 12 to 15.

“We are excited that children and teens aged 12 and up will be able to receive a COVID vaccine. Children are able to contract COVID-19 and we have seen some children with long-term problems related to the infection,” said Dr. Edward Clark, Medical Director for Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital.  “The vaccine has been proven safe in all ages tested and the efficacy rates have been extraordinarily high. We encourage you to have your child vaccinated as soon as you can.”

Public vaccination services are available by appointment at the following locations:

• The Wellness Center, Navicent Health
• Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health
• Navicent Health Baldwin

A parent or guardian must accompany minors to vaccination appointments. To make an appointment, visit www.CovidsafeGA.org or call 478-633-SAFE (7233). Appointments are based on vaccine availability, which is allocated and managed by the state.

“Atrium Health Navicent is proud to continue to provide public vaccination services, now making this vital COVID-19 protection available to children 12 and older in the communities we serve,” said Atrium Health Navicent President and CEO Delvecchio Finley. “This deadly pandemic isn’t over and we’re doing our part as a health system to make the vaccine accessible both at our designated facilities and using pop-up clinics in the community so anyone who wants to be vaccinated can be afforded that opportunity.”

Vaccinated individuals and those waiting to be vaccinated are encouraged to continue to practice COVID-safe behaviors including wearing a mask in public, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for health care consumers through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

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Health System Seeks to Decrease Central Georgians’ Stroke Risk

Atrium Health Navicent invites the community to observe National Stroke Month during May by learning to recognize and react to the signs of stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every four minutes, someone dies of stroke. On average, 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Central Georgians are at an increased risk for stroke due to the prevalence of common risk factors that include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and tobacco use. Georgia is in the “Stroke Belt,” an area in the Southeastern United States where stroke deaths are approximately 30 percent higher than the rest of the country. In 2019, Georgia held the 8^th highest stroke death rate in the country.

Clinicians at Atrium Health Navicent remind the public to act FAST if they experience any of these signs or symptoms.

• F – Facial weakness (Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?)
• A – Arm or leg weakness (Can the person raise both arms?)
• S – Speech difficulty (Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?)
• T – Time to act (Seek medical attention immediately!)

Atrium Health Navicent is a 10-time recipient of the American Heart Association’s “Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold” Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the health system’s commitment to quality care for stroke patients, and success in implementing an exemplary standard of care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines. In addition, Atrium Health Navicent has achieved the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to the latest scientific treatment guidelines.

“Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Some risk factors like age and race may be out of your control, but lifestyle changes or medical treatment can lessen other risks such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity and sleep apnea,” said Dr. Matthew Smith, Stroke Medical Director for Atrium Health Navicent. In addition to working to reduce risk, it’s important that everyone is aware of the signs or symptoms of stroke and seek medical attention FAST if they suspect a stroke has occurred.”

To find a doctor, visit www.navicenthealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for health care consumers’ through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

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The community is invited to join Atrium Health Navicent in recognizing May 9 thru 15 as National Women’s Health Week. Beginning on Mother’s Day each year, this week serves as a reminder for women to take care of themselves and to make their health a priority.

“Many times, as women, we tend to put others’ needs in front of own because we don’t want to let our family and friends down. We know they are depending on us,” said Dr. Patrice Walker, Chief Medical Officer for Atrium Health Navicent.  “In order for us to take the best care of our loved ones, we have to be in our best mental and physical health. Women’s Health Week is a great time to schedule your annual well-woman visit and preventative screenings, and to consider how you can take steps to improve, or maintain your health.”

Women can improve or maintain their physical and mental health by:

• Having regularly scheduled well-woman visits (check-ups) and preventative screenings
• Getting active — Take a walk, dance to your favorite music or begin a new exercise program
• Eating healthy, which may include swapping water for a sugary drink or trying a new recipe
• Paying attention to their mental health, which may include ensuring they get enough sleep and manage their stress
• Avoiding unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, texting while driving and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

To find a doctor, visit www.navicenthealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for health care consumers’ through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is reminding people it’s safe to go to the doctor and encouraging you to not delay care. In addition to traditional physician visits, urgent care and emergency care, patients can now receive care from trusted physicians on your cell phone or tablet.

“We are still seeing patients delay their care, and that’s causing unnecessary complications,” said Mohak Davé, medical director of Emergency Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC). “Regardless of how many COVID-19 patients are in the hospital, the Emergency Department is the best place to be if you’re experiencing anything that you think might be life-threatening. The worst thing you can do is stay home and hope it goes away.”

            Even if you don’t need emergency care, there’s no need to put off routine check-ups or care for minor illnesses. To help patients get care no matter where they are, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) continues to offer three ways of digitally connecting with a care provider:

• Video Visits – During a video visit, patients connect directly with one of NGPG’s providers for diagnosis and treatment through a phone or computer – saving a trip to a clinic. Video visits are available for most specialties including primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics and more.
• After-Hours Care (Telemed) – With Telemed, you can get quick answers to healthcare questions by phone at no charge! Established patients with non-emergent issues after hours or on the weekend can call their provider’s regular office number, hold until the Telemed service answers, and simply provide their name, birth date and reason for calling. An on-call provider will return their call within an hour.
• E-Visits – For some basic healthcare issues, like cough, sinus pain and more, patients can simply fill out a form on a computer or smartphone at any time of day or night. The answers are sent to an on-call provider who reviews them, provides a diagnosis, asks follow-up questions if needed and may send a prescription order to your preferred pharmacy. There is a standard $40 fee for each E-Visit, and submissions are reviewed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

 “Some patients are still uncomfortable entering a healthcare facility,” said Sakib Maya, MD, medical director for Urgent Care services for NGPG. “The good news is, we now have a variety of ways for everyone to get the care they need from wherever they are.”

For more information about these services and to schedule an appointment, visit ngpg.org/care.

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