News from Piedmont Healthcare

Piedmont Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital Named 2010 Most Wired

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA, Ga. (July 15, 2010)—Piedmont Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital are two of only four Georgia hospitals to be recognized as the nation’s MOST WIRED according to the results of the 2010 Most Wired Survey released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. This is Piedmont Hospital’s seventh consecutive year and Piedmont Fayette’s sixth consecutive year to receive the honor.

Hospitals understand the importance of health information technology (IT) and the benefits of its widespread adoption, yet as a field still face significant barriers to implementation according to a newly released survey of America's Most Wired hospitals and health systems.

“We are proud the Most Wired Survey has recognized Piedmont Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital, two of only four in Georgia” said R. Timothy Stack, president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. “This recognition shows our dedication to quality and excellence in the use of information technology to improve patient care and safety.”

This year’s survey reveals continued progress for hospitals in patient safety initiatives:

Fifty-one percent of medication orders were done electronically by physicians at Most Wired hospitals, up from 49 percent last year.
Over half (55 percent) of Most Wired hospitals match medication orders at the bedside through bar-coding or radio-frequency identification, up from 49 percent in 2009 and 23 percent five years ago.
Additionally, Most Wired hospitals have made improvements when it comes to sharing information during care transitions. For example, new medication lists are electronically delivered to caregivers and patients 94 percent of the time when a patient is transferred within the hospital, 98 percent at discharge, and 86 percent when transferred to another care setting.

“The survey results highlight that continued progress is being made, but the full potential of health IT has not been meet,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “Hospitals embrace health IT and recognize the many benefits it can provide to patients, but even Most Wired hospitals face barriers to adoption. We have asked that the federal government stimulate greater adoption by making Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments more widely available to hospitals and physicians so more hospitals can move in this direction.”

The 2010 Most Wired Survey is redesigned this year to reflect two years of work with an advisory group to continually improve the Most Wired Survey. The 2010 Most Wired Survey represents a new structure and methodology with an increased use of analytics and reporting. The advisory group was comprised of leaders from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), chief information officers, Most Wired staff and vendors. Additionally, the new methodology was made available to the entire CHIME membership for review and comment.

Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2010 survey in cooperation with McKesson Corporation and CHIME. The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.

Piedmont Healthcare Hospitals Named to Quality Honor Roll

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA (June 29, 2010) — All four Piedmont Healthcare hospitals have been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) Quality Honor Roll. Piedmont Hospital, Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Piedmont Newnan Hospital and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital are four of 51 hospitals in Georgia to be placed in the Presidential category. The honor roll is based on clinical data provided by the Federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), which administers the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. The data, reflecting performance against best practices, was collected from January to December 2009.

“It has always been our mission to ensure that each of our patients receives the right care at the right time,” said R. Timothy Stack, president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. “This recognition validates the hard work of our hospitals and is a tribute to the commitment of our staff members who are constantly striving to make excellent care even better.”

All acute care hospitals are required to submit care data to CMS. This data details how well a hospital’s caregivers adhere to a list of eight appropriate care measures (ACM), which are the clinical processes of care that are known to be the most effective methods of treatment for patients who have suffered heart attacks, heart failure or pneumonia. The ACM is a composite measure that determines whether or not a patient received the right care at the right time.

For instance, a recommended treatment to help prevent a heart attack is to take aspirin either before or upon arrival at the hospital, as well as at discharge. A suggested treatment for pneumonia is to administer an antibiotic within four hours of a patient’s arrival. A hospital’s adherence to these recommended clinical practices usually leads to better outcomes.

“This is a great accomplishment for Piedmont Healthcare,” said Joseph Parker, president of GHA. “This recognition further underscores the commitment of the Piedmont Healthcare staff to ensure that every patient receives the best, most effective healthcare possible.”

Piedmont Cancer Center Featured in the AJC

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

For almost five months, Priscilla Tomlinson’s life revolved around regular trips to the basement of Piedmont Hospital. There, on every third

Piedmont Healthcare Names Corporate Vice President of Real Estate Management

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA, Ga. (June 22, 2010) — Piedmont Healthcare has named Rob Simmons as corporate vice president of real estate management. He will be responsible for the organization’s real estate portfolio, which includes 89 locations across metro Atlanta.

“For the last few years, Rob has played a big part in numerous real estate and development projects related to Piedmont,” said Charlie Hall, executive vice president and CFO of Piedmont Healthcare. “As the needs of the community grow, his focus in this area will be instrumental in helping Piedmont Healthcare meet those needs.”

An accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience, Simmons joined Piedmont in 2005 as vice president of ambulatory services and business development for Piedmont Healthcare. Previously, he was a senior consultant for Stroudwater Associates, a healthcare management consulting firm in Atlanta, and has worked in an executive capacity with health systems in Georgia and Tennessee.

Simmons earned his bachelor of science degree with a concentration in microbiology and minor in chemistry from the University of Memphis, and a master of business administration degree with concentrations in management, marketing and new venture analysis from the University of Tennessee. Simmons is a member of the Georgia Association of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and is a member and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

He and his wife, Theresa, live in Fayetteville with their two children, Austin and Claire.

For more information about Piedmont Healthcare, visit piedmont.org.

Piedmont Healthcare Names New Executive Vice President of Compliance

Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA (May 5, 2010) — Piedmont Healthcare has recently named Tracy Field as executive vice president of compliance. She is responsible for operating and monitoring the compliance program for all four Piedmont Healthcare hospitals, the Piedmont Physicians Group and Piedmont Heart Institute.

“Tracy comes into this position with a wealth of industry experience,” said R. Timothy Stack, president and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. “With a strong background in law and healthcare, she will serve as a valuable guide, ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.”

Field began her professional career in clinical research and genetics administration before entering the field of law and compliance. Most recently, she was partner in the healthcare and life sciences practice at Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP in Atlanta where she practiced for over 17 years. There she concentrated in the areas of health law and regulatory compliance for hospital systems, physician practices and other healthcare-related clients. Field is also past chair of the Health Law Section for the State Bar of Georgia and is an alumna of Leadership Atlanta (Class of 2008).

Field received her Juris Doctor in 1993 from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Ga.
She also holds a master’s in health and medical sciences from the University of California – Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., and a bachelor’s in human biology from Stanford University in Stanford, Calif.

Tracy resides in Atlanta with her husband Mark Peters.

For more information about Piedmont Healthcare, visit piedmont.org.

Piedmont Surgery Center Opens

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA (April 13, 2010) — Designed with optimum patient comfort in mind, the Piedmont Surgery Center, a subsidiary of Piedmont Healthcare, is now treating patients at the Piedmont Hospital Outpatient Center at Piedmont West Medical Office Park on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta. The new 15,600-square-foot facility provides services in general, orthopaedic, gynecological, urological and plastic surgeries.

The new surgery center complements Piedmont Hospital’s existing McDonnell Surgery Center on the Piedmont Hospital campus, giving patients and their surgeons more choices for outpatient surgery. It has four operating rooms, two procedure rooms and 17 perioperative beds (for preoperative care and post-operative recovery).

“As in all of Piedmont’s hospitals and physician practices, our goal is to balance quality patient care with maximum patient comfort,” said Robert Simmons, vice president of ambulatory services for Piedmont Hospital. “We know no one wants to have surgery. But if you have to be here, we want to make it the most pleasant experience you can have under the circumstances.”

To accomplish that goal, technical processes like patient admissions have been streamlined, and the facility’s design has made use of warm colors and soothing lighting to reduce stress. The surgery center is focused on efficient outpatient procedures that result in recovering quicker and going home sooner.

Orthopaedic surgeon Peter Symbas, M.D., the surgery center’s medical director, said, “There are several additional benefits to the outpatient setting. For otherwise relatively healthy patients who do not need 24-hour nursing care after surgery, outpatient procedures are easier to schedule and complete than in a traditional setting since there are no interruptions from emergency situations. Plus, patients have a lower risk of infection because their stays are brief.”

In addition to the new Piedmont Surgery Center at this location, the Piedmont Hospital Outpatient Center offers a variety of imaging services such as PET/CT scans, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic radiology, digital mammography, bone density (DEXA) and general X-ray. The Outpatient Center also is home to the Piedmont Hospital Cancer Center which offers chemotherapy with private and semi-private treatment areas, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, liver cancer services and Cancer Wellness.

For more information about Piedmont Healthcare, visit piedmont.org.

Saint Joseph’s and Piedmont Healthcare Announce Letter of Intent to Form Joint Operating Company

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA (April 9, 2010) – Saint Joseph’s Health System and Piedmont Healthcare today announced the signing of a letter agreement to enter exclusive negotiations to create a new partnership in the form of a Joint Operating Company. Both Piedmont Healthcare and Saint Joseph’s are nationally recognized healthcare systems known for their quality, service to the community, and outstanding medical staffs. The proposed partnership would enable the two healthcare systems to collaborate to better serve the people of North Georgia.

The proposed Joint Operating Company (JOC) would combine certain assets of both Piedmont Healthcare (PHC) and Saint Joseph’s Health System (SJHS), including Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta, and the newly formed entity would operate pursuant to the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) of the Catholic Church. The ERDs would not apply to PHC entities outside of the JOC. The Letter of Intent provides for a period of time in which the two healthcare systems will conduct exclusive discussions to reach a final agreement on the terms of the joint operations.

“Saint Joseph’s believes that this is an opportunity to leverage our reputation as a leader in clinical excellence and will allow us to expand our mission as a faith-based health system,” said J. Stephen Eaton, Chairman, Saint Joseph’s Health System Board of Trustees. “We highly regard the accomplishments and healthcare expertise of Piedmont Healthcare and believe a partnership with them will better serve our patients and expand access to quality healthcare services.”

“A joint operating company between Piedmont Healthcare and Saint Joseph’s would be a unique partnership between two of the most respected and longest-serving healthcare providers in Georgia,” said R. Timothy Stack, President and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. “We have each served this community for more than 100 years by providing unparalleled patient care while achieving the highest possible clinical outcomes.”

Both system CEOs note the rapidly changing landscape of health care as an impetus for creating a more collaborative business model.

“In a constantly changing and complex healthcare environment, a joint operating company with Piedmont Healthcare is a smart, efficient and cost-effective way to provide the best quality of care possible for Georgians,” said Kirk G. Wilson, President and CEO, Saint Joseph's Health System. “We look forward to finalizing the JOC structure with Piedmont Healthcare, who represents an exceptional potential partner. The JOC is a wonderful opportunity to create one of the finest healthcare delivery systems in the country, and we are very excited with the prospect of partnering with Piedmont Healthcare in this effort.”

The JOC would be co-sponsored by Piedmont Healthcare and Saint Joseph’s Health System. Under the leadership of a separate Board populated with trustees from both SJHS and Piedmont Healthcare, the JOC's Board and management would lead all decision-making involving the JOC.

The due diligence period under the Letter of Intent is expected to take approximately 90 days. Once a definitive agreement is reached, Saint Joseph’s and Piedmont Healthcare pursue final approval from their respective governing bodies, the Sisters of Mercy and Catholic Health East, the Archbishop of Atlanta, the Federal Trade Commission and the Georgia Attorney General. The parties hope to have the proposed JOC in place by the end of the year.

“It is a challenging time in the healthcare industry, but one that we must approach with the belief that these challenges can also provide us opportunities to seek innovation and improve clinical care in a collaborative model,” said Stack.

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About Saint Joseph's Health System
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta is now a 410-bed, acute-care hospital recognized as one of the leading specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast. Saint Joseph's is one of the region's premier providers of cardiac, vascular oncology and orthopaedic services and home to the most comprehensive minimally invasive robotic surgery program in the world. Saint Joseph's is one of the 50 top hospitals and one of the few hospitals in the world to receive Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence. Saint Joseph's medical staff is comprised of over 750 physicians. Saint Joseph's Health System is based in Atlanta and has several subsidiaries including indigent care services, employed physician group, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Greensboro, GA, and research facilities. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's is a member of Catholic Health East. For more information, please visit www.saintjosephsatlanta.org.

About Piedmont Healthcare
Piedmont Healthcare (PHC), a not-for-profit organization, is the parent company of Piedmont Hospital, a 481-bed acute tertiary care facility in the north Atlanta community of Buckhead, and the Best in Atlanta in Overall Cardiac Care, Cardiac Surgery and Coronary Intervention for 2010 (HealthGrades®); Piedmont Fayette Hospital, a 143-bed, acute-care community hospital in Fayetteville, and one of two Georgia hospitals among the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation (2010); Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, a 42-bed community hospital in Jasper; and Piedmont Newnan Hospital, a 143-bed, acute-care community hospital in Newnan. Piedmont Healthcare also is the parent company of the Piedmont Heart Institute (PHI), comprised of more than 85 cardiovascular specialists in Piedmont Heart Institute Physicians with over 30 locations across north Georgia and North Carolina; the Piedmont Physicians Group, with more than 100 primary care physicians in over 30 offices throughout metro Atlanta; the Piedmont Clinic, a 600-member physician network; and Piedmont Philanthropy, the philanthropic entity for private fundraising initiatives. Three Piedmont Healthcare hospitals—Piedmont Hospital, Piedmont Fayette Hospital and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital— are among the 2009 Most Wired hospitals in the nation and also received the top three patient satisfaction scores among metro Atlanta hospitals according to the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey (March 2009). For more information, visit piedmont.org.

Piedmont Hospital to Conduct Lung Cancer Clinical Research Study

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT

ATLANTA (March 24, 2010) – Piedmont Hospital announced today the availability of a clinical research study for qualifying participants. The study will test the effectiveness and tolerability of an investigational anti-cancer immunotherapy.

To qualify, participants must have early stage non-small cell lung cancer, which has been surgically removed in the last 12 weeks. The tumor must be completely removed to qualify for this study.

In addition to standard treatment, study participants receive frequent tumor assessments and study-related medical care. Participants may potentially have access to medication and receive compensation for approved travel expenses.

The investigational treatment and medical care required solely for the research study will be provided by the study sponsor GlaxoSmithKline.

For more information and to see if you qualify, visit piedmontcancer.org or call 404-425-7943.

Increase Healthcare Costs? Say NO!

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Oppose Sick Tax! Oppose Medicaid Cuts! Support Tobacco Tax!

Our state legislature is charged with filling a $1.2 million gap in its budget. Several options have been proposed - one of which creates a "sick tax" that could devastate hospitals across Georgia. Click here to download informative flier and visit www.noGAhospitaltax.org to send a message to your elected officials. In addition, local hospitals have spoken with a united voice (Click here to download the letter).

Sick Tax Update - RX for Medicaid Promote Healthy Public Policy

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Our state legislature is charged with filling a $1.2 million gap in its budget. Several options have been proposed - one of which creates a "sick tax" that could devastate hospitals across Georgia - and your local hospitals have spoken with a united voice. More information about how you can support your local hospitals is coming soon.

Click here to download the letter

Piedmont Healthcare Announces Restart Of Construction

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Atlanta – February 19, 2010 – Piedmont Healthcare today announced that it will restart construction on the replacement hospital facility on Poplar Road. Officials said start-up activities will begin immediately, with completion and opening projected for early 2012.

“We are excited to proceed with the construction of this world-class hospital,” said Gregory A. Hurst, chairman of the Piedmont Newnan Hospital Board of Directors and executive vice president/COO for Piedmont Healthcare. “As a result of our intentional delay of this project, we expect to realize approximately $35 million in savings from the original cost projections, without compromising the facility or services.”

The economic climate of the past year has enabled Piedmont to take advantage of reduced construction costs while also awaiting market stabilization to secure more reasonable interest rates for funding. Through rebidding of the entire project in today’s economy and working with BE&K, general contractor, and Perkins Will, architects, Piedmont officials have been able to extract more than $30 million in construction costs.

The Piedmont Healthcare Board of Directors approved the project restart at its December 2009 meeting. Work over the past two months has been focused on developing the plan of finance and repricing the project. The Board was also impressed with the overall performance of Piedmont Newnan Hospital. Operational results and realized efficiencies are strong reflections of very effective management. Increased volumes reflect the community’s increased confidence in the hospital, services and management. The continued support of the medical staff in quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives as well as other operational efforts has been critical to these achievements as well.

“Piedmont’s commitment to this community is evident in the many improvements already accomplished at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, with its steadfast pursuit of this project and its attention to fiscal and civic responsibility,” said Michael Bass, president and CEO for Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “Our intentional delay in this project will ensure a new hospital that will yield a reasonable margin, manageable debt load and acceptable financing costs. We are most appreciative of the continued patience and support of the community as we have navigated the economic challenges over the past year.”

The benefits of constructing a replacement hospital facility in Coweta County are numerous for both the local economy, as well as the general community. An increase in overall economic impact, local jobs created, as well as increased tax revenue from the on-site medical office building and other new community physicians will positively affect Coweta’s economic prosperity. The community will also benefit from additional healthcare services offered in the community as a result of the replacement facility’s construction, as well as Piedmont’s continued commitment to taking excellent care of Coweta’s population in a modern, state-of-the-art hospital facility.

“We are encouraged by the opportunities before us and look forward to completion of the new Piedmont Newnan Hospital,” said Hurst.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Team Aids Haitian Relief Efforts

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

ATLANTA (Jan. 25, 2010) — Piedmont Healthcare responded to the urgent need for medical care in Haiti by making it possible for a team of medical professionals with critical areas of expertise to travel to the region devastated by recent earthquakes.

On Wednesday, January 20, medical professionals from Piedmont Hospital and the WellStar Health System departed from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and traveled to Haiti where they embarked on a five-day mission trip aiding the medical staff of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, a surgical hospital located near Port-Au-Prince. The team returned on Sunday, January 24.

Piedmont Healthcare is funding transportation costs for the team whose members include: Piedmont Hospital medical team members Stephen McCollam, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon; Lee Kelley, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon; Marcel Gilli, M.D., anesthesiologist; Rick Hodge, RN, surgical orthopaedic nurse; Deborah Shreer, RN, surgical orthopaedic nurse; and WellStar orthopaedic traumatologist Douglas Lundy, M.D.

Piedmont Hospital donated nearly $35,000 in medical supplies to be used during the mission. The Atlanta-based medical team took with them 500 lbs. of medical cargo, including medical equipment, tetanus vaccines, antibiotics, analgesics, anesthesia and various other medications donated by Piedmont, WellStar, Stryker, Synthes, the Surgical Implant Generation Network and others.

“The value of the equipment and medications is over 500,000 dollars, and we are incredibly grateful to all the organizations that donated items,” said Dr. Stephen McCollam.

Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti has had a long-standing relationship with Drs. McCollam and Kelley and the physicians of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic. Every four months since 1957, surgeons from Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic have traveled to Haiti to provide orthopaedic care to impoverished Haitians who would otherwise go untreated. For more information about Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti visit hashaiti.org.

As of January 19, officials with the European Union have estimated that 250,000 were injured, approximately 200,000 people may have been killed and 1.5 million were made homeless by the magnitude-7.0 quake in Haiti. According to the U.N., 3 million people are in need of food, water, shelter, and medical assistance.

Photo:
(L to R) Obi Ugwonali, M.D.; Danny Guy, M.D.; Stephen Smith, M.D., from Piedmont Hospital; Mike Behr, M.D., from Piedmont Fayette Hospital; Stephen McCollam, M.D. from Piedmont Hospital (went on previous trip & along for the ride - literally - on this one); Robert Hendley, PA-C, from Piedmont Fayette Hospital; and Jonathan Clayton, M.D., from Piedmont Fayette Hospital

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Piedmont Healthcare Sends Team to Help with Haiti Relief Efforts

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Piedmont Healthcare is responding to the urgent need for medical care in Haiti by making it possible for a team of medical professionals with critical areas of expertise to travel to the region devastated by recent earthquakes.

On Wednesday, January 20, medical professionals from Piedmont Hospital and the WellStar Health System departed from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and traveled to Haiti where they are embarking on a five-day mission trip aiding the medical staff of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, a surgical hospital located near Port-Au-Prince. The team returned Sunday, January 24.

Piedmont Healthcare funded transportation costs for the team whose members include: Piedmont Hospital medical team members Stephen McCollam, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon; Lee Kelley, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon; Marcel Gilli, M.D., anesthesiologist; Rick Hodge, RN, surgical orthopaedic nurse; Deborah Shreer, RN, surgical orthopaedic nurse; and WellStar orthopaedic traumatologist Douglas Lundy, M.D.

In addition to the $10,000 in transportation costs, Piedmont Hospital donated nearly $35,000 in medical supplies to be used during the mission. The Atlanta-based medical team took with them 500 pounds of medical cargo, including medical equipment, tetanus vaccines, antibiotics, analgesics, anesthesia and various other medications donated by Piedmont, WellStar, Stryker, Synthes, the Surgical Implant Generation Network and others.

“The value of the equipment and medications is over $500,000, and we are incredibly grateful to all the organizations that donated items,” said Dr. Stephen McCollam. Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti has had a longstanding relationship with Drs. McCollam and Kelley and the physicians of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic. Every four months since 1957, surgeons from Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic have traveled to Haiti to provide orthopaedic care to impoverished Haitians who would otherwise go untreated. For more information about Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti visit hashaiti.org.

As of January 19, officials with the European Union estimated that 250,000 were injured, approximately 200,000 people may have been killed and 1.5 million were made homeless by the magnitude-7.0 quake in Haiti. According to the U.N., 3 million people are in need of food, water, shelter, and medical assistance.

Piedmont Healthcare Wins Statewide Patient Safety Award for Sepsis Care Initiative

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

ATLANTA – The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented its prestigious Quality and Patient Safety Award to Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta for its project that reduced instances of sepsis in the hospital. The project titled, “System-wide Healthcare Collaborative for Sepsis Quality Initiative,” won second place in the Hospitals/Health Systems Category. These annual awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

The goal of the project was to improve specific process measures to reduce instances of sepsis. A standardized set of criteria was developed as a guideline for sepsis screening and treatment. A sepsis algorithm, which contains specific steps to take to recognize and treat septic patients, was developed. All patients were screened for sepsis and patients who met criteria were treated within a certain time frame. Staff attended mandatory sepsis education. Results showed a 34 percent reduction in mortality.

“Preventing infection is one of the biggest priorities for hospitals statewide,” said Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) President Joseph Parker. “We applaud Piedmont Healthcare for its leadership and dedication in this critical area and its commitment to providing the best and safest care possible for its patients.”

About PHA
The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) was established in January 2000 to improve patient care and patient safety in hospitals and other health care facilities and create healthy communities.

About GHA
Established in 1929, GHA is the state’s largest trade organization of hospitals and health systems providing education, research and risk management services to its more than 170 hospital and health system members. Additionally, it represents and advocates health policy issues benefiting Georgia’s citizens before the state legislature and U.S. Congress as well as before regulatory bodies.

Piedmont Hospital Increases Treatment Options for Cancer Patients

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

NanoKnife™ Kills Cancerous Cells Without Harm to Healthy Tissue

ATLANTA (January 19, 2010) — Piedmont Hospital is increasing the treatment options available to cancer patients by offering a new technique that physicians can use to kill cancerous tumor cells without harming nearby healthy tissue.

“Piedmont Hospital is the sixth facility in the United States to offer NanoKnife™ to cancer patients outside of clinical trials,” said Steven Citron, M.D., interventional radiologist. “It provides a treatment option to patients who have no other alternatives due to the location of the tumor.”

While other techniques work with intense heat or cold to kill cancer cells, NanoKnife™ uses electrical pulses that minimize damage to surrounding nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic systems. During a procedure, a physician inserts a needle-like probe into a tumor, which then fires off a series of electrical pulses into the cancerous cells. The pulses open up the cancer cell membrane and, when enough electricity is applied, the cells do not close and the tumor dies. The surrounding blood vessels and lymphatic systems can then assist in removing the dead cells from the body.

“NanoKnife™ is a tremendous leap forward for addressing tumors in critical organs such as the liver, kidneys or lungs,” said Marty T. Sellers, M.D., a multi-organ transplant specialist and medical director of Piedmont Hospital's liver cancer service. “Other techniques use temperature extremes to kill a tumor, but that approach can not only cause serious harm to surrounding healthy tissue but may also leave a tumor adjacent to a large vessel inadequately treated.”

For more information please call 404-425-7920 or toll free 1-888-605-2848.

For more information on NanoKnife™ and to view an educational video visit Nanoknife.