Thanks front-line healthcare workers, learns about open heart expansion

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was in Carrollton Wednesday, paying a visit to Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton to learn more about how community hospitals have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and to talk to the healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges across our state,” Gov. Kemp told a multidisciplinary group of healthcare workers in the intensive care unit at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton — where many of the region’s most acutely ill COVID-19 patients received care. “It’s something we’ve all been through, but you’ve been on the front lines. Thank you for all you’ve done.”

The governor was escorted into the ICU by a group of physicians and senior leadership representatives who have been at the forefront of the health system’s COVID-19 response.

“Let’s meet some of our heroes,” said Tanner President and CEO Loy Howard, wrapping an arm around ICU nurse manager Nancy Harris, CCRN.

On the unit, Gov. Kemp met with a group of nurses, environmental services staff, respiratory therapists, palliative care nurses, pharmacists and others, hearing their concerns on staffing, taking precautions to stop the spread of the virus and supply shortages.

He also heard from staff who faced challenges beyond the in-hospital challenges of the pandemic, including those who stayed away from home for months at a time to prevent bringing the virus into their house and those facing homeschooling children while fighting on the front lines of the virus.

“I have three daughters myself,” said Gov. Kemp. “There’s going to be a generational effect like we’ll never know.”

The governor was led through the hospital by several physicians who have been deeply involved in battling the pandemic while continuing to push ahead with expanding healthcare services in the region.

“Our whole community responded,” said Laura Larson, MD, an infectious disease specialist and medical director of infection prevention for Tanner. “I came into a room with a COVID-19 patient wearing one of our reusable green gowns. The lady told me, ‘I made that gown. We prayed over every one of those before we sent them out.’ And she recovered; she did well.”

On the ICU, the governor also saw several new rooms that were added during the pandemic and heard about how the hospital had converted other rooms to negative pressure, enabling the facility to safely care for COVID-19 patients without the risk of spreading the virus throughout the hospital.

“We really appreciate the Department of Community Health for helping hospitals open bed capacity,” said Howard. “That’s been vital to helping hospitals like ours expand the inpatient capacity we needed to handle a surge in patients.”

The governor also toured the hospital’s surgical services unit, which was largely shuttered during the pandemic but has returned to life the past several months.

Alyssa Howard, MD, an anesthesiologist and Tanner’s chief of staff, said locking down the surgical services unit was concerning but necessary.

“We knew some folks could wait one month,” Dr. Howard said, “but not two.”

Testing, said Dr. Howard, was imperative to reopening healthcare services — especially testing that offered faster results.

“If we test on a Thursday, and they go to the beach over the weekend and have a procedure scheduled for Tuesday, that doesn’t work,” Dr. Howard said. “We need to know if they could be sick right before the procedure. Having a faster result is critical.”

The governor also learned more about Tanner’s plans to expand open-heart surgical care to west Georgia — the most populous part of Georgia without an open-heart program.

In recent years, Tanner has expanded lifesaving interventional cardiology services — like angioplasty and stenting — from Carrollton to Villa Rica and established accredited chest pain centers in both cities.

Late last year, the health system earned state approval to develop an open-heart surgery program at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton.

Shazib Khawaja, MD, medical director of interventional cardiology at Tanner, explained to the governor how essential open-heart surgical care was to opening a comprehensive heart care program in the region.

“Lately, COVID-19 has taken center stage, but we’re pushing forward,” said Christopher Arant, MD, also an interventional cardiologist and a member of Tanner’s board of directors. “People tell us that they don’t want to go to Atlanta for these services. It’s in the interest of the community to stay local.”

“This is the right time for us,” said Tanner CEO Howard. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in our region; comprehensive heart care will save lives.”

More information on Tanner’s services and news can be found at tanner.org.

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Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is happy to offer a new service to help patients transition from the hospital to their homes. Effective Oct. 1, NGHS and LHC Group, the preferred in-home healthcare partner for 350 leading hospitals around the country, will partner to launch Northeast Georgia Home Health in Gainesville.

“We are thrilled to partner with LHC Group to bridge the gap in NGHS’s continuum of care, ensuring our North Georgia region has access to a full range of services within our health system,” said Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS. “Providing this in-home care is another way we’re achieving our mission of improving the health of our community in all we do.”

Northeast Georgia Home Health serves patients and families in Gainesville and the North Georgia region with high-quality, affordable healthcare services in the privacy and comfort of their home.

Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, LHC Group is a leading national provider of in-home healthcare services with 32,000 employees operating in 35 states and the District of Columbia – reaching 60% of the U.S. population aged 65 and older.

“Our LHC Group family looks forward to expanding our services in the state of Georgia by partnering with a respected, high-quality healthcare organization like Northeast Georgia Health System,” said Keith Myers, chairman and CEO of LHC Group. “With our combined talent, experience and resources, we will be able to provide care to more patients and families in Gainesville and across the region.”

Northeast Georgia Home Health will help patients regain strength and independence and attain the quality of life they deserve. It will offer valuable guidance and support, providing the educational tools and resources patients and families need to make informed decisions on care for themselves or loved ones.

If you have questions about Northeast Georgia Home Health or would like more information, please visit nghs.com/home-health or call 770-297-0041.

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South Georgia Medical Center honored the Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Services as Hospital Heroes at the Hospital Authority of Valdosta Lowndes County Board meeting last week.

According to Chief Nursing Officer Randy Smith, “We are currently in the middle of a worldwide pandemic of unprecedented proportions and today it truly is fitting to recognize these healthcare professionals as our Hospital Heroes. They are out on the front lines of this fight, they adapted practices to keep themselves and their patients safe, all the while continuing to serve their communities and support the South Georgia Health System.”

Smith said that SGMC EMS have responded to 357 patients suspected of having covid-19. ED staff have delivered care with courage, dedication, teamwork and extraordinary compassion.

“I am overwhelmed by the unquestionable strength of character demonstrated by these teams, “said Smith. “When times are tough, heroes emerge and you are all truly heroes.”

Former SGMC nurse and Hospital Authority Board member Shirley Garland took a moment to thank the teams and their family members who also play a role in this fight.

The group received a resounding standing ovation.

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Though processes, services and visitation look and feel different, you can be confident that Hamilton Health Care System (HHCS) will continue to provide safe care.

“We are seeing a lot more people coming back into the hospital for screenings, surgeries and other necessary healthcare,” said Sandy McKenzie, COO. “It’s important to remember that delaying care, whether testing or treatment, could be detrimental to your health, or at least cause extended discomfort in some cases. We’re taking many extra steps to keep you and our associates safe.”

HHCS is following CDC guidelines and has put a number of measures in place to help keep patients and support people safe. When patients arrive at Hamilton Medical Center (HMC), they are greeted by a staff member who take their temperature, screen for COVID-19 symptoms and provide hand sanitizer.

In addition, staff have the same screening procedures in place and wear masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed.

“We’ve seen that masks and other appropriate PPE have been very effective in protecting patients and staff members as well as preventing the spread of the virus,” said Peri Correll, director of Infection Prevention.

Bill Evans recently traveled to HMC from Atlanta to have his total knee joint replacement surgery. “I felt very safe,” he said. “The hospital is the safest place to be. I never once felt uncomfortable.” Evans said that everything went well. “Everyone was super nice. It couldn’t have been a better experience.”

HMC continues to practice social distancing (including decals on floors and furniture) to prevent people from getting within 6 feet of each other. There are additional sanitizing stations throughout the facility, and Xenex germ-zapping robots use high-powered UV light to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Staggered appointments are used to minimize the number of people in a given area, and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are kept in a separate, protected area in the hospital.

In addition to HMC, other Hamilton Physician Group and other Hamilton Health Care System locations have added screening, social distancing, additional sanitizing, staggered appointments and face mask requirements for all patients, support people and staff.

“We understand that many people have delayed care during the last few months due to COVID-19,” said McKenzie. “But it’s important to get the healthcare that you need. We are totally committed to providing the safest and highest level of care.”

Phyllis Stephens, chief operating officer for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, recently had an endoscopy procedure. “I’m glad I didn’t delay my procedure,” said Stephens. “As a patient, I felt very comfortable and safe when I arrived. The check-in and admittance were quick and my nurse took great care of me as she prepped me for the procedure.”

HHCS is encouraging everyone to continue taking precautions to avoid an increase in infections. “Please continue to take precautions when going out into the community,” McKenzie said. “Avoid crowded areas, wear a mask when in public, wash your hands often and remember to social distance. We all want this virus to be gone. Please be safe.”

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Navicent Health has increased its internal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.00 per hour, investing $1.2 million into the lives and careers of its teammates. Hourly workers will benefit from the increase, which exceeds the federal government’s minimum pay requirements.

“At Navicent Health, we base our decisions on three categories – strategy, operations and people. Of these, our people are the most important. The decision to increase our internal minimum wage moves hundreds of teammates payed by the hour to a living wage. We’re thrilled to make this investment in our people, particularly during a time when so many individuals and organizations are struggling,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.

Navicent Health, in partnership with its collaborative partner Atrium Health, is beginning the process of transitioning teammates from a minimum wage to a living wage. The first step in this process is establishing an internal minimum wage for all Navicent Heath teammates. Any teammate currently earning less than $10.00 per hour will receive a pay increase to align with the health system’s new internal minimum wage of $10.00 per hour. The increase went into effect on September 6, 2020 and will appear on affected teammates’ paychecks on September 25, 2020.

The pay increase ensures that starting wages at Navicent Health are competitive among local employers and within the healthcare field. Navicent Health is currently hiring for a number of positions at locations across central Georgia. To view available job opportunities, please visit https://navicenthealth-careers.hctsportals.com/.

As a major employer and catalyst for the local and state economy, the increase also demonstrates Navicent Health’s and Atrium Health’s shared commitment to invest in the region’s economy.

About Navicent Health
Navicent Health, the leading provider of healthcare 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, Navicent Health provides care for healthcare 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. Navicent Health 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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Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, diagnostic mammography has come to St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. Diagnostic mammography can help provide women and their doctor with the answers they need after a screening mammogram shows an area of concern.

“This is great news for the roughly 10 percent of women who have a call-back after an area of concern is identified on their screening mammogram,” said Tanya Adcock, RN, President of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. “Instead of having to travel to Athens, Augusta or the Atlanta area for a diagnostic study, they can now get the testing they need right here, close to home.”

Diagnostic mammography uses the same state-of-the-art Hologic 3D machine that Good Sam uses for screening mammograms. But the diagnostic study is personally directed by a radiologist who specializes in breast image interpretation. The radiologist and Good Sam’s mammography team work personally with the patient to obtain new, more targeted images, and then use a powerful new computing system, the Hologic SecurView, to analyze those images while the patient waits.

Because the radiologist is on site during the exam, they can review images in real time and obtain additional images immediately from angles that best highlight the suspicious areas. They can also order same-visit ultrasound studies, which provide different diagnostic information and are also available at Good Sam.       

“The key to our new service is the combination of the SecurView technology and the radiologists’ commitment to come to Good Sam on a regular basis,” Adcock explained.

Funds for the purchase of the $73,000 SecurView workstation came through donations to the Good Samaritan Foundation’s Breast Health Fund.

“Our Foundation Board was eager to support this purchase so that we could bring diagnostic breast imaging to our community,” said Becky Smith, Foundation Board Chair. “It’s another great example of how the generosity of local people and businesses is helping St. Mary’s bring state-of-the-art services to our families, friends, and neighbors.”

Diagnostic mammography is an essential step in determining if an area of concern is normal breast tissue or an area that needs additional follow-up or biopsy, according to St. Mary’s Health Care System Mammography Supervisor Lori Daniel.

“Screening mammography is a quick, low-dose test that can detect lesions that need more detailed testing,” she said. “Screening is all most women need most of the time. But for that 10-11 percent who require additional testing, having diagnostic mammography available at Good Sam is a huge step forward and will provide a lot of peace-of-mind.”

Daniel explained that diagnostic imaging is necessary because an early-stage cancer may look nearly identical in a screening mammogram to other structures that are harmless.

“Hearing that you have an ‘area of concern’ on a mammogram is stressful,” she said. “Having diagnostic mammography at Good Sam can help patients get answers locally. Now, we can tell them on the same day as their call-back whether there’s nothing to worry about or if they need a biopsy.”

Adcock agreed. “Can you imagine finding out you need a biopsy and then having to drive an hour to get home? Plus, if the patient needs a biopsy, our staff is right here to help them understand their choices and make arrangements with our radiologist and biopsy team in Athens before they leave the building. That’s huge. It takes away some of the fear that comes with being told you might have breast cancer.”

To schedule your screening mammogram, go to www.stmaryshealthcaresystem.org, choose “Find Service or Specialty,” select “Women and Maternity” and click “Schedule a mammogram.” Or call 706.389.2700. You do not need a doctor’s order, but you do need to specify which doctor should receive the results of your exam. Also, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital is proud to partner with Oconee Valley Healthcare to provide 25 free screening mammograms to uninsured women from Greene County this October. Please call 706-453-5005 to apply.

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Hamilton Physician Group (HPG), part of Hamilton Health Care System, is offering ID NOW™ Influenza A & B 2, the fastest rapid molecular flu test, at its Convenient Care locations.

The ID NOW™ delivers flu results in 13 minutes or less, making it faster than other molecular methods and more accurate than conventional rapid tests.

“This rapid flu test is reliable, and it allows us to make quick, effective treatment decisions,” said Holly Andrews, director of business administration for HPG.

Positive results are delivered in as few as 5 minutes, with 95 percent detected within 7 minutes.

The speed and reliability of the test help target antiviral therapy and antimicrobial stewardship, a coordinated program that promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials (including antibiotics), improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

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St. Mary’s Health Care System 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 that are based on the latest scientific evidence.

St. Mary’s has received the Stroke Gold-Plus quality achievement award 11 years in a row and has been named to the Target: Stroke Honor Roll nine years in a row, elevating its achievement to Honor Roll Elite for the first time.

St. Mary’s earned the awards by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions

“St. Mary’s is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients through our ongoing implementation of the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Montez Carter, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

At the same time, St. Mary’s received the Association’s Target: Stroke^SM Elite recognition. To qualify for this honor roll, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke is the most common kind of stroke, affecting about 80 percent of stroke patients. It happens when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, interrupting blood flow to brain tissue. Up to 2 million brain cells can die each minute unless blood flow can be restored with clot-busting medication or mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure that physically removes clots from large blood vessels, that is available at St. Mary’s in conjunction with neurosurgeon Neil Woodall, MD.

St. Mary’s additionally received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90 percent of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.” Diabetes is a common condition that can damage blood vessels if not well managed, leading to complications such as heart attack and stroke.

St. Mary’s has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

“We are pleased to recognize St. Mary’s Health Care System for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

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About St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s Health Care System is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care ministry whose mission is to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence in the communities it serves. Part of Trinity Health, St. Mary’s puts special focus on neurosciences, cardiac care, orthopedics, general medicine, general surgery, women’s and children’s health, and care for older adults. St. Mary’s includes hospitals in Athens, Lavonia and Greensboro, as well as a multi-practice medical group, a retirement community, outpatient care facilities, graduate medical education, and a region-wide home health care/hospice service. St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens is a certified chest pain center, a gold-plus hospital for stroke care, and was named Georgia’s Large Hospital of the Year in 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2018 For more information, visit St. Mary’s website at www.stmaryshealthcaresystem.org.

About Get With The Guidelines^®

Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 9 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/quality.

South Georgia Medical Center presented the Greater Valdosta United Way with 5,000 reusable cloth masks as part of its 10K Mask Challenge. The hospital’s Foundation launched the fundraising appeal in July, seeking to raise enough funds to purchase 10,000 masks to distribute to community members in need. The Foundation reached its goal in August making the purchase possible.

SGMC will distribute the remaining 5,000 masks to a variety of community organizations and locations who serve those in need.

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached our goal and are overwhelmed with the response of participation. Over 75 donors, individuals and businesses, stepped up during this short time frame and helped us fill this need with their monetary support. Our community truly knows how to give back,” said Elizabeth Vickers, SGMC Foundation Executive Director.

“We are honored to partner with SGMC to distribute masks out in the community through our partner agencies. We want to keep the spread of COVID down and allow the economy to recover,” said GVUW Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith. “SGMC is a great partner of ours and we are proud of their leadership in keeping South Georgia safe.”

The rate of new positive covid-19 cases in Lowndes County has declined in recent weeks and SGMC believes this can be attributed to the community acting responsibly to prevent the spread. This includes wearing a mask while in public places or when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Approaching the Labor Day holiday, SGMC encourages everyone to remember the acronym WWW- Wash your hands, Wear your mask, and Watch your distance.

For more information on the SGMC Foundation or to view a list of donors, visit sgmcfoundation.org.

Senior Care Center Visitor Cottages Keep Families Connected 1:27 pm

In difficult times, necessity becomes the mother of invention. Southeast Georgia Health System’s Senior Care Centers in Brunswick and St. Marys have taken that to heart. Outside of each facility stands a collection of diminutive white cottages, each featuring a covered porch.

“Because of the pandemic, it was necessary to restrict visitors at the Senior Care Centers for the safety of our residents,” said Gary Trullinger, administrator of the Senior Care Center-Brunswick. Trullinger worked with the Health System’s leadership to launch the concept. “Up till now, family and loved ones have connected with residents through window visits and with the use of a tablet for Skype calls. The Visitor Cottages can restore some normalcy by providing a private, safe and climate controlled space to reunite and spend quality time together.”

Each cottage allows two visitors to spend time with their elderly relative in a safe, private atmosphere. Residents enter through a back entrance, which has a wheelchair-accessible ramp and door. Visitors enter in the front door under a covered porch.

“Isolation was already one of the biggest challenges for long term care and elder care facilities prior to COVID-19,” said Rhondia Grant, LNHA, administrator, Senior Care Center-St. Marys. “COVID-19 made an already challenging situation worse with mandated shelter in place orders eliminating regular family visits for the past six months. While the Brunswick and St. Marys Senior Care Centers connect families through FaceTime and Skype, some families find the technology challenging. So the Visitor Cottages are a very exciting approach to helping our residents and their loved ones adapt to our ‘new normal.’”

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, a protective plexiglass shield divides the climate controlled sitting area but stops short of the ceiling. “It’s easier for residents to hear their visitors through a thin plexiglass shield than through a window,” said Chasitee Chambers, activities specialist, referring to the window-to-window visits Senior Care Center residents have participated in since March.

Window visits have several drawbacks, weather being one. Visitors must stand outside in the hot sun and rainstorms can cancel a much-anticipated visit.

“Some residents have difficulty hearing visitors through the window. Others with cognitive decline get confused and tell their family to come inside,” Chambers said.

Cozy, Comfortable and Safe

Extra safety precautions aside, a cottage visit is like chatting in a living room. “The cottages are a lot more comfortable and personal than a window-to-window visit,” Trullinger said.

Family and friends can call the Center to schedule a visit with their loved one. For now, visits are scheduled in 15-minute increments to give all residents an opportunity to use the cottages and to allow time for cleaning between visits. The Senior Care Center-Brunswick has four cottages; St. Marys has two.

A Sense of Well-Being

“Making residents feel loved and cared for has always been our goal; that’s especially important now, because their mental state affects their physical state. We want to make their experience here the best it can be. The cottages are one more way to keep residents connected with families,” Chambers said. The cottages are small, but Chambers hopes they will have a big impact on the residents’ well-being. Many residents are already excited, which makes Chambers feel supported by the Health System’s efforts. “It’s a great place to work,” she said.

Her gratitude extends to the community, as well. “We have had an outpouring of gifts, mail and support from the community. Our residents are always so excited when they receive the gifts and cards.”

If you would like to brighten a resident’s day, contact the Senior Care Centers at 912-265-8528 in Brunswick or 912-882-4281 in St. Marys to ask how you can help.

About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, three immediate care centers, five family medicine centers and numerous employed physician practices. The Health System has multiple outpatient specialty care centers, including the only CyberKnife^® M6 Program in Georgia, and a Cancer Care Center accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Health System is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health and Southeast Georgia Health System forming a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. For more information, visit sghs.org.

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