Health system named to GHA Circle of Excellence for patient quality, safety

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University’s health system has earned three patient care quality and safety awards from the Partnership for Health and Accountability, an affiliate of the Georgia Hospital Association.

The health system earned awards for improving infant sleep safety through education efforts at Augusta University Medical Center and for curbing patient wait times through more efficient supply protocols in the pediatric medical/surgical unit and improving on-time start rates in pediatric surgery at Children’s Hospital of Georgia. In addition, the health system earned a spot in GHA’s prestigious Circle of Excellence for cumulative excellence in patient safety over the last five years.

“We are committed to delivering excellent health care to each and every patient from the tiniest baby in our Children’s Hospital of Georgia to the most complex trauma patient at Augusta University Medical Center,” said Kevin C. Dellsperger, vice president and chief medical officer. Being recognized repeatedly for our efforts demonstrates just how dedicated we are to deliver exemplary health care at Augusta University.”

To qualify for the Circle of Excellence, a hospital must earn a Patient Safety Award in the current year and have been recognized with three or more awards within the last five years. Other awards the health system at Augusta University has been commended for within recent years include reducing surgical site infection rates through education with the Asepsis Program, enhancing cardiac care by successfully managing blood sugar levels in heart surgery patients, and lowering the number of central line-associated bloodstream infections.

Established in 1929, GHA is the state’s largest 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.

The Partnership for Health and Accountability, an affiliate of GHA, was established in January 2000 to improve patient care and safety in hospitals and other health care facilities and create healthy communities.