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The Joint Commission has designated Georgia Regents Medical Center in Augusta as an advanced comprehensive stroke center, making it the only hospital in Georgia and one of fewer than 20 nationwide to achieve this designation.
"This means we provide high-level care for patients with the most severe and challenging types of strokes and cerebrovascular disease, and we help set the national standards in highly specialized stroke care," said David S. Hefner, CEO of the medical center.
During a two-day onsite review, Joint Commission experts examined the medical center's compliance with comprehensive stroke center standards and requirements, including 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, staff with the education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients and advanced imaging capabilities. Surveyors also looked at post-hospital care coordination for patients and patient-centered stroke research efforts.
New informatics program: Georgia State University will launch a health informatics program for undergraduate students in fall 2013. The new Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) in health informatics is a collaboration between the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
Students enrolling in the B.I.S. in health informatics program through the school of nursing and health professions will take the clinical track of the degree, which qualifies them to work in patient care. Students interested in health information technology/health administration management should enroll through the college of business.
Applications for fall enrollment in the program are being accepted until March 15.
CTCA accreditation: Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Newnan has been accredited by the Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States.
The Joint Commission, which focuses on inpatient and outpatient quality care, evaluated all aspects of patient care against nearly 300 performance standards at CTCA at Southeastern. No deficiencies were identified in any area of the survey.
CTCA at Southeastern, which specializes in treating complex and advanced stage cancer, received the accreditation by demonstrating patient quality and safety in emergency management, infection control, medical staffing, nursing, medication management and information management.
Female-friendly workplace: The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) has named WellStar Health System in Marietta as one of the top 10 nonprofit companies for executive women for 2013.
As one of NAFE's top 10, WellStar was cited for leadership in recruiting, retaining and advancing women in its work force.
"We are proud to recognize… companies that have created a culture that identifies, promotes and nurtures successful women," said Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media and CEO of NAFE.
"WellStar supports women's advancement in leadership and we are proud to be recognized for doing so," said David Anderson, executive vice president, human resources/organizational learning, and chief compliance officer for WellStar Health System.
New HIT certificate program: Gwinnett Technical College launched a one-year certificate program in health information technology on March 4.
The program is part of a health information technology education partnership between Gwinnett Tech and Georgia Tech, stemming from a $1.65 million grant to boost job creation in the field. Gwinnett Tech also offers an associate degree in health information technology.
Working in one of the fastest-growing fields in health care, HIT professionals organize and manage health information data and the secure exchange between users.
New students will be accepted into the program each semester. The program offers special funding in the form of tuition stipends for veterans, the underemployed and the unemployed.
For information, call 678-226-6404 or send email to ebaggett@gwinnetttech.edu.
Reducing infections: Georgia Regents Medical Center in Augusta has earned an award for its efforts in reducing infections that can result from disease-causing germs in health care environments.
The hospital received the Josh Nahum Special Achievement Award for Infection Prevention and Control from the Partnership for Health and Accountability for reducing surgical site infections through an aggressive asepsis program.
After data showed that the hospital's surgical site infection rate was higher than expected, a performance improvement team was formed in 2008. The team improved the way Georgia Regents University students, who spend a significant portion of their education in the hospital, were trained in surgical aseptic/sterile techniques.
Work/life balance: WellStar Health System in Marietta has received the 2013 Alliance for Work-Life Progress work-life seal of distinction. WellStar is one of only 54 companies in the country to receive the honor.
Applicants were evaluated based on the breadth and depth of their work-life portfolio. They also were required to provide evidence of support in dependent care, health and wellness, workplace flexibility, financial support, paid and unpaid time off, community involvement and efforts to transform organizational culture.
