South Georgia Medical Center announced today that it is the proud recipient of the Josh Nahum Special Award for Achievement in the Infection Prevention and Control category from  Partnership for Health and Accountability, a subsidiary of the Georgia Hospital Association. The award is part of the annual PHA Quality and Patient Safety Award program and offered in collaboration with Kimberly-Clark and the Safe Care Campaign.

SGMC was recognized for its process modification and adoption of best practices that resulted in the hospital achieving and sustaining a ventilator associated pneumonia rate of zero. VAP is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections and it is a significant cause of disability and death. It commonly develops within 48-hours of endotracheal tube placement (a breathing tube). SGMC implemented a robust program that integrated surveillance and intervention through a team approach that included members of the Medical Staff, Critical Care Nursing, Infection Prevention and Control and patients and family members.

 

“SGMC is proud to join PHA, the Safe Care Campaign, and Kimberly-Clark, in preventing the serious complications of healthcare-associated infections and educating patients and physicians about the need for better prevention practices and solutions,” said SGMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kimberly Megow.

 

The PHA Quality and Patient Safety Award recognizes healthcare organizations for achievement in implementing evidence-based processes and best practices in reducing the risk of adverse outcomes and improving patient safety and quality. The Josh Nahum Special Achievement Award for Infection Prevention and Control was established in 2007 by Victoria and Armando Nahum, in partnership with Kimberly-Clark and the Georgia Hospital Association, in memory of their son Josh, who died from a healthcare-associated infection.

 

“Infection prevention and control is key to patient safety,” said GHA President Earl V. Rogers. “We applaud SGMC for their leadership efforts in this area and for providing safe and effective patient care.”

SGMC was presented with the award during a recognition ceremony on January 8, 2014, at the Ritz Carlton Lodge at the Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga. The VAP Leadership team at SGMC included Tom Calabro, director of critical care; Debra Baker, RN, MSN, CNL clinical nurse leader; Scarlett Rivera, RN, MSN, director of infection control & prevention; Cathy Chastain RN, BSN, infection prevention; Mickey Whatley, RRT, respiratory therapy; Rick Griffis, MMSc, RRT, director of respiratory therapy; Erin Demarco, MS, RD, LD, CNSCand Martha Adams, RN, critical care nurse manager.