Southwest Georgia Network

Posted on June 26, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Americus, Ga. – Phoebe Sumter recently earned state certification as a Remote Treatment Stroke Center (RTSC).  All Phoebe hospitals are now certified in stroke treatment, highlighting Phoebe’s efforts to improve stroke care across its system, benefiting patients throughout southwest Georgia.  “We are proud to join this network of stroke centers across Georgia as we continually work to improve and expand services available to our patients.  This certification reinforces our commitment to reducing the incidence and the impact of strokes on people in and around Sumter County,” said Brandi Lunneborg, Phoebe Sumter CEO. 

Phoebe Sumter earned the certification through the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Office of EMS and Trauma.  Certification requirements include having immediate tele-health access to neurology specialists, as well as developing stroke treatment protocols with physicians and local EMS and aligning those protocols with Phoebe’s main campus in Albany.

“Our system-wide goal is to provide care as quickly as possible to all patients who may be having a stroke,” said Faryn Hackett, RN, Phoebe Stroke Coordinator.  “The immediate delivery of clot-busting drugs can minimize damage from a stroke and potentially save lives.  The teams in all our emergency centers are trained to administer that medication.  With Phoebe Sumter’s new certification, EMS will transport stroke patients near Americus to Phoebe Sumter for immediate treatment and stabilization.  Those patients may then be transferred to our main hospital for closer neurologic monitoring and follow-up care,” Hackett added.

Phoebe Sumter is the 17^th Georgia hospital to earn certification as a RTSC.  In a letter announcing the designation, DPH Commissioner Kathleen Toomey wrote, “We believe that improving stroke care throughout Georgia can best be achieved by adopting a ‘system approach’ to care.  You have become an integral part of a comprehensive and growing stroke care system throughout the state.  The Department applauds Phoebe Sumter for this achievement and appreciates the contributions that you make to the health and well-being of Georgians, as well as to those visiting our state.”

Phoebe Worth in Sylvester earned RTSC certification earlier this year.  Phoebe’s main hospital in Albany is certified as a Primary Stroke Center (PSC) by DNV GL, an international accredited registrar and classification society which is the global leader in certifying management systems across all types of industries, including healthcare.  Phoebe is the only health system in southwest Georgia providing this level of care to stroke patients. 

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Posted on June 21, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Albany, Ga. – Phoebe Putney Health System has been recognized as a Pinnacle level practice in the Transforming Clinical Practice initiative (TCPi) through Compass PTN (Practice Transformation Network). PTNs are peer-based learning networks set up through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to coach, mentor and assist clinicians in developing core competencies that are specific to practice transformation.

“The American healthcare system is transforming from a reimbursement model based on volume to one based on the value and quality of care provided.  CMS is working to make sure clinicians are providing quality care with improved patient outcomes.  At Phoebe Physicians, we are committed to that goal, and this recognition proves that we are making great progress and doing what is best for our patients,” said Suresh Lakhanpal, MD, President of Phoebe Physicians.

Compass PTN identified the top 5% of enrolled practices based on reporting and phase progression as TCPi enters its fourth and final year.  The recognition indicates that Phoebe has implemented effective changes and identified best practices which have allowed them to excel to the top level of enrolled practices.

TCPi is one of the largest federal investments designed to support clinical practices through nationwide, collaborative and peer-based learning networks.  The Transforming Clinical Practice initiative is designed to help clinicians achieve large-scale health transformation.  Phoebe Putney Health System has successfully adapted and developed their comprehensive quality improvement strategies to meet these transformation goals.

Phoebe has merged person and family engagement (PFE) into their practice which encourages the patient and their family to partner with the medical staff in their care.  Phoebe has also incorporated additional quality metrics and utilization metrics for national comparison and evaluation. 

The Compass PTN is a clinician-led, patient-focused partnership of over 7,000 clinicians across Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin, committed to transforming primary and specialty care practices in order to achieve better care, smarter spending and healthier people.

Tina Halverson, RN, Director of Physician Operations for Phoebe Physicians accepted the award on Phoebe’s behalf during a recent Compass PTN symposium in Atlanta.  The award comes with a small grant.  CMS recognizes the significant investment organizations must make in technology and resources to continue to improve patients’ quality of care while decreasing costs.  This grant is to help offset some of the costs associated with Phoebe’s participation in the TCPi program.

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Posted on June 15, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District

ALBANY – Usually West Nile virus is a seasonal epidemic that flares up in the summer – peaking in South Georgia in August – and continuing into the fall. But this year an unusually warm winter and unseasonably warm spring may be behind higher than average mosquito activity across the region.

“More mosquitoes mean the potential for more mosquito-borne illnesses,” says Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Charles Ruis. “For that reason, we’re asking people to take precautions against getting bitten earlier than we usually do.”

So far, no cases of the area’s most common mosquito-borne illnesses, West Nile virus or Eastern Equine encephalitis, have been reported in Southwest Health District. Since there are no human vaccines for either disease, the best protection against them is to avoid being bitten.

Around 80% of those infected with West Nile show no symptoms, while up to 20% have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a rash, said Ruis.

“Those at risk of experiencing complications and severe illness from a West Nile infection include older adults, people who have received an organ transplant, young children and people with a compromised immune system,” he said. “One out of roughly 150 infected with West Nile virus develop serious symptoms.”

Eastern equine encephalitis often causes inflammation or swelling of the brain. The EEE virus commonly circulates between birds and mosquitoes in swampy areas. Most people who are bitten by a mosquito carrying the EEE virus will not become sick. However, EEE is one of the most serious types of viral encephalitis. Death occurs in approximately 30% of persons who develop encephalitis.

There is no specific treatment available for the viruses. “People with severe cases are hospitalized and receive supportive care such as intravenous fluids and respiratory treatment,” Ruis said.
Ruis listed “Five Ds of mosquito-borne illness prevention”:

*  Dusk/Dawn – Mosquitoes usually bite at dusk and dawn, so avoid or limit outdoor activity at these times

 *  Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin

*  DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites

*  Drain – Empty containers holding standing water because they can be excellent breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes

*  Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly, and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house
For more information about mosquito-borne illnesses, go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov.

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Posted on June 12, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District

Dougherty County Health Department is urging parents to avoid the back-to-school rush by getting their children immunized with state-required vaccines during early Saturday clinics.

“We are making it convenient for parents and caregivers by holding Saturday clinics,” said Dougherty County Health Department Immunization Coordinator Beverly Reid, RN. “Vaccines will be available to all during the clinics, but our focus will be on children who need vaccines prior to going to school and youths entering seventh grade who need adolescent vaccines.”

The clinics will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. During the clinics, staff will also provide hearing, vision, dental and nutrition screenings.

She said the State of Georgia has specific immunization requirements for children entering schools and daycare facilities. “The vaccinations are for the protection of your children, other family members, classmates, staff and the community,” Reid said.

As of July 1, 2014, all children born on or after Jan. 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and students who are newly enrolled in Georgia schools in grades eight through 12, must have received one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of adolescent meningococcal (meningitis) disease vaccine.

The health department accepts most insurance; low-pay and no-pay options are also available for qualified applicants.
For more information about the clinics, call 229-638-6424.

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Posted on June 12, 2019 by walterljohnsonii@yahoo.com

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Albany, Ga. – Phoebe Putney Health System appears on the prestigious list of the best employers in Georgia, as compiled by Forbes.  “Phoebe is undoubtedly an outstanding place to work, and we are proud the experts at Forbes recognized our continual efforts to create a rewarding and nurturing work environment for members of the Phoebe Family,” said Scott Steiner, Phoebe President & CEO.  “Patient safety is our top priority, and we know engaged and fulfilled healthcare workers provide safe, quality care,” Steiner added.

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to survey 50,000 American workers and pinpoint the organizations liked best by employees.  It is the magazine’s first-ever ranking of America’s best employers by state.  The final list ranks 1,430 employers that received the greatest number of recommendations in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Phoebe is number 31 on Georgia’s list of best employers which includes 56 employers in the state.  “We work hard to recruit and retain outstanding employees at every level of our organization, and we are committed to providing a comprehensive package of benefits for our employees that equals or exceeds what workers will find at many of the best, large employers in this country,” said Tony Welch, Phoebe Chief Human Resources Officer.

Many of the employers on Georgia’s list are not based in Georgia but simply employ workers in the state.  For example, the company at the top of Georgia’s ranking is California-based Google.  In addition to Phoebe, Georgia-based organizations on the list include Home Depot, Chick-fil-A and Georgia Pacific.

“It is an honor for Phoebe to be mentioned alongside those large employers that are well-known for providing outstanding customer service and for treating their employees well,” Steiner said.  “For more than a century, Phoebe has not only provided cutting-edge, compassionate healthcare, but we have been a vital part of the economy of southwest Georgia.  We pledge to continue to serve our patients well, grow our role as a good corporate citizen and provide an outstanding workplace for every member the Phoebe Family.”

Phoebe is a not-for-profit health system that serves a population of a half-million residents in southwest Georgia.  The system includes three hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and more than 40 family medicine clinics and specialty physician offices in 9 counties.  The system’s flagship hospital in Albany was founded in 1911 and is one of Georgia’s largest comprehensive, regional medical centers.

Anyone interested in career opportunities at Phoebe can learn more about the organization and find out about open positions by going to www.phoebehealth.com/careers.   

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