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Hamilton Health Care System

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Hamilton providing safe care in middle of pandemic

DALTON, Ga. (August 12, 2020) – Though processes, services and visitation look and feel different, you can be confident that Hamilton Health Care System (HHCS) will continue to provide safe care.

“We are seeing a lot more people coming back into the hospital for screenings, surgeries and other necessary healthcare,” said Sandy McKenzie, COO. “It’s important to remember that delaying care, whether testing or treatment, could be detrimental to your health, or at least cause extended discomfort in some cases. We’re taking many extra steps to keep you and our associates safe.”

HHCS is following CDC guidelines and has put a number of measures in place to help keep patients and support people safe. When patients arrive at Hamilton Medical Center (HMC), they are greeted by a staff member who take their temperature, screen for COVID-19 symptoms and provide hand sanitizer.

In addition, staff have the same screening procedures in place and wear masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed.

“We’ve seen that masks and other appropriate PPE have been very effective in protecting patients and staff members as well as preventing the spread of the virus,” said Peri Correll, director of Infection Prevention.

Bill Evans recently traveled to HMC from Atlanta to have his total knee joint replacement surgery. “I felt very safe,” he said. “The hospital is the safest place to be. I never once felt uncomfortable.” Evans said that everything went well. “Everyone was super nice. It couldn’t have been a better experience.”

HMC continues to practice social distancing (including decals on floors and furniture) to prevent people from getting within 6 feet of each other. There are additional sanitizing stations throughout the facility, and Xenex germ-zapping robots use high-powered UV light to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Staggered appointments are used to minimize the number of people in a given area, and patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are kept in a separate, protected area in the hospital.

In addition to HMC, other Hamilton Physician Group and other Hamilton Health Care System locations have added screening, social distancing, additional sanitizing, staggered appointments and face mask requirements for all patients, support people and staff.

“We understand that many people have delayed care during the last few months due to COVID-19,” said McKenzie. “But it’s important to get the healthcare that you need. We are totally committed to providing the safest and highest level of care.”

Phyllis Stephens, chief operating officer for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, recently had an endoscopy procedure. “I’m glad I didn’t delay my procedure,” said Stephens. “As a patient, I felt very comfortable and safe when I arrived. The check-in and admittance were quick and my nurse took great care of me as she prepped me for the procedure.”

HHCS is encouraging everyone to continue taking precautions to avoid an increase in infections. “Please continue to take precautions when going out into the community,” McKenzie said. “Avoid crowded areas, wear a mask when in public, wash your hands often and remember to social distance. We all want this virus to be gone. Please be safe.”

Anna Shaw Children’s Institute to Hold Family Class

Anna Shaw Children’s Institute CHAMP Series
Kelsey Nelson, BCBA, board certified behavioral analyst, and Jennifer Bray, BSW, social worker.

The Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI), 1201 Burleyson Road, will hold its first family support class on Tuesday, June 4 at 6 p.m. on first floor of the facility. The topic will be “Managing Tantrums by Encouraging Interaction and Communication.”

This class is part of ASCI’s CHAMP series. CHAMP stands for Classes to Help, Advise and Motivate Parents. The sessions will be held each month. The CHAMP series is open to families of children of any age.

Kelsey Nelson, BCBA, board certified behavioral analyst, and Jennifer Bray, BSW, social worker, will present the June class, which focuses on being a good “interactor” with children with developmental challenges. Tips to deal with tantrums will be a part of the program.

For future sessions, ASCI plans to provide limited childcare.

During this first session, participants will have an opportunity to provide input on convenient dates and times for future sessions. Those who can’t attend this session may provide input by calling 706-226-8911

Please register by calling 706-226-8911. Space is limited.

Participants are encouraged to park in the lower lot since the upper doors will be locked by 6 p.m.

Hamilton Health Care System Recognizes National Critical Care Month

Hamilton Health Care System has been celebrating National Critical Care Awareness and Recognition Month (NCCARM)Hamilton Health Care System has been celebrating National Critical Care Awareness and Recognition Month (NCCARM) in May. NCCARM honors those who care for patients in intensive care units who make a difference every day caring for patients and families in what is often their most vulnerable moments in life. Nearly 80 percent of all Americans will suffer, or know someone who is suffering, from a life-threatening illness or injury, requiring the support of providers in an intensive care unit. Hamilton Health Care System has an intensivist program as part of its intensive care units at Hamilton Medical Center. Intensivists have advanced training and experience in treating the critically ill patient. They take a comprehensive approach to caring for ICU patients and oversee the many decisions involved in the care of a critically ill patient and coordinate the services the patient may need, including those from specialists.

In the front, from left, are Dawn Holbrook, RN; Laura Priest, RN; Emily Everett, RN; and Jolynn Crabb, NP. In the back are Brandy Salazar, ICU clinical manager; Bambi Walker, RN; Maria Deal, NP; Elwyn Clark, DO; and Jennifer Ward, RN, clinical resource nurse.

Hamilton Pharmacy Offers convenient MEDS 2 GO Service

Hamilton Pharmacy StaffWhen being discharged from the hospital, stopping to pick up a prescription on the way home can be a hassle.

The HMC Rx Care Pharmacy at Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) is providing a solution with its MEDS 2 GO, a bedside prescription delivery service. It is available to anyone being discharged from HMC, and refills can be transferred to a patient’s regular pharmacy if requested.

HMC’s full-service pharmacy is staffed by a team of highly skilled pharmacists and technicians.

“We can answer all of your medication questions, make sure you understand each prescription, and resolve any prescription problems before you leave the hospital,” says Greg Stinnett, pharmacy director.

Though MEDS 2 GO charges can’t be added to a hospital bill, the pharmacy works with most prescription insurance companies and can eliminate another delay in medication availability by resolving any insurance coverage problems before patients leave the hospital. Prescription copays will be the same as at other pharmacies. Staff members can check copays and quote prices before filling medications.
In addition, cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.
For patients who are financially challenged, there may be assistance. HMC is a Dispensary of Hope (DOH) dispensing site. DOH is a charitable medication distributor that provides medication to low-income, uninsured patients.

Other than major holidays, MEDS 2 GO is available between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“By utilizing Hamilton’s MEDS 2 GO service, you can skip the long wait times and have your prescriptions filled at competitive prices and delivered directly to your bed,” Stinnett says.

For additional information, please call 706-272-6450.

Hamilton Takes Next Step in Critical Care Medicine

Hamilton Intensivist Care Team
Pictured are Intensivist Program providers along with some critical care associates. From left are Mike Allen, director of Emergency Services/Critical Care; Brandy Salazar, Critical Care manager; Cynthia Schuler, NP; Jolyn Crabb, NP; Elwyn Clark, DO; and Jennifer Ward, Critical Care clinical resource nurse.

Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) recently began an Intensivist Program with providers who are specially trained in critical care medicine.

 

“While the care provided to our critical care patients is at a high level, the intensivist team has elevated the level and quality of care we provide to our sickest patients to an even higher level,” said Sandy McKenzie, COO.

 

The Intensivist Program is led by Elwyn Clark, DO, a fellowship trained intensivist. Other Intensivist Program providers include David Barillo, MD; Jolyn Crabb, NP; Cynthia Schuler, NP; and Christopher Doneski, NP.

 

“Our team is ready, excited and looking forward to helping the HMC community in its care of the critically ill,” said Clark.

 

Intensivists have advanced training and experience in treating the critically ill patient. Rather than focusing on specific body systems – like cardiologists (the heart and vascular system) or pulmonologists (the lungs and respiratory system) – intensivists take a comprehensive approach to caring for ICU patients. Intensivists oversee the many decisions involved in the care of a critically ill patient and coordinate the services the patient may need, including those from specialists.