Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center Wins Statewide Patient Safety Awards

Atrium Health Navicent has been presented with a Georgia Hospital Association Patient Safety and Quality Award for the project, “Preventing VTE.” The project won third place for improving patient safety in a hospital with more than 300 beds.

The annual Patient Safety and Quality Awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

Atrium Health Navicent implemented several initiatives to prevent the occurrences of venous thrombo embolism (VTE), also called blood clots. Patients can get blood clots through lack of movement, not taking prescribed anti-blood clot medication or using compression devices on the legs. Blood clots can form in the legs and then travel to the lungs and brain, causing a pulmonary embolism, stroke or other complications.

The health system has reduced patient VTEs by 40 percent over three months in three pilot units and has sustained the reduction over the past year. The outcome was achieved by providing patients with education about the importance of preventative anti-coagulation shots, using compression devices on the legs, walking and other prevention measures.

“We are pleased to honor Atrium Health Navicent for their innovative approach to improving patient safety,” said Georgia Hospital Association President and CEO Caylee Noggle. “Their efforts have improved the health and wellness of the community, and we thank them for their important work in this area.”

Atrium Health Navicent was also presented with a Circle of Excellence Award, an honor given to hospitals and health systems that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to quality and patient safety as evidenced by not only winning a patient safety award in 2023, but by earning three or more GHA Patient Safety Awards within the previous five years. The previous awards recognized Atrium Health Navicent for use of electronic hand hygiene technology to prevent infection, initiatives that led to reductions in falls and ventilator-associated events or infections, and implementing new radiology regimens that reduced exposure to radiation without compromising visualization.

“Patient safety is key to providing excellent health care, and Atrium Health Navicent is committed to innovating to provide better, safer care,” said Atrium Health Navicent Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrice Walker. “Thanks to the Georgia Hospital Association for recognizing our team’s commitment to providing safe, quality care for every patient, every day.”

About Georgia Hospital Association

Founded in 1929, GHA serves nearly 150 hospitals in Georgia and promotes the health and welfare of the public through the development of better hospital care for all Georgia’s residents. The mission of GHA is to advance the health of individuals and communities by serving as the leading advocate for all Georgia hospitals and health care systems. GHA represents its members before the General Assembly and Congress, as well as state and federal regulatory agencies, and is an allied member of the American Hospital Association. For more information, call 770-249-4500 or visit gha.org.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs nearly 155,000 team members across 68 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.