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Hamilton Health Care System Participating in DPH Georgia Yellow Dot Program

November 6, 2020

Hamilton Health Care System (HHCS) is participating in a new, free program that adds an extra level of safety for area residents.
The program, Yellow Dot, is designed to provide important medical information following a crash, especially in cases where victims are unable to speak for themselves. A “Yellow Dot” decal on a vehicle alerts both medical and law enforcement personnel to check the glove box for a packet that lists the driver’s or passenger’s prescriptions, medical conditions, and other vital information.
An additional sticker is provided for the main entrance to the home with the packet affixed to the refrigerator with a magnetic clip.

Hamilton Health Care System participating in DPH Georgia Yellow Dot Program - first responders pose with staff and children — In the back, from left are David Saylors, sergeant with the Dalton Police Department; Wendy Saylors, quality and education captain for Hamilton Emergency Medical Services; Jessica Truelove, nurse navigator for Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) and coordinator of the Yellow Dot program for Hamilton; Bob Chandler, Hamilton Medical Center board chair and Hamilton Health Care System vice chair; Terri Woodruff, executive director for ASCI; :Laurie McGee, therapy manager for ASCI; and Justin Rishel, Dalton Fire Department fire instructor. In the front is Crimson Gibson.

“The Yellow Dot Program is a simple but effective system to put potentially life-saving information in the hands of first responders at the scene of a car crash or other medical emergency,” said Jessica Truelove, nurse navigator for the Anna Shaw Children’s Institute, and coordinator of the program for HHCS. “It can make a big difference for patients when they can’t speak for themselves.”

The program was initially geared toward those 55 years of age and older, but it is available to any local resident. HHCS is the first in the state of Georgia to include all ages in this valuable program.

“For those with special medical conditions, including children, this program could be a lifesaver,” said Truelove.

Various healthcare providers are participating in the program and have packets for patients. To sign up for the Yellow Dot Program, check with your provider or call Truelove at 706-226-8912.

Hamilton providing safe care in middle of pandemic

September 16, 2020

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.”

Hamilton Begins Temporary Visitor Restriction Due to Increase in Flu Cases

January 3, 2020

Local influenza (flu) cases have risen dramatically in the last few weeks, and for the safety of patients and visitors, Hamilton Medical Center has established temporary visitor restrictions.

So far, Hamilton has treated 707 people with confirmed cases of flu. This time last year (near the end of December 2018), there had only been 39 cases of flu at Hamilton Medical Center.

The flu season typically runs from Oct. 1 to March 31 and usually peaks in February. According to Perri Correll, Infection Prevention director, Hamilton started seeing a significant increase in flu cases the first week of December, one month earlier than last year.

Due to the widespread occurrence of flu in this area, Hamilton is asking for the assistance of community members in supporting a hospitalized loved one’s recovery by limiting visitation during this flu season.

The restrictions include:

No visitors with influenza-like illness, fever, cough or runny nose.
Only essential visitors ages 18 or older (immediate family, partner or significant other).
Patients experiencing flu-like symptoms will need to wear a mask.

“We know limiting visitations is a difficult thing to ask, but because we’re seeing so many flu cases in our area, it’s in the best interest of patients and visitors that we limit visitation during this type of flu season,” Correll said. “There’s simply too much risk of germ exposure at this point. We want to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical flu symptoms include fever or feeling feverish and having chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness) and in some people, vomiting and diarrhea (though this is more common in children than adults).

“There are a number of ways to prevent the flu,” said Correll. “Though sometimes the flu shot doesn’t seem to be as effective as we’d like it to be, getting the flu shot is still a significant protection against the flu. Proper hand washing, especially after wiping runny noses, is also a key protection.”

In addition, Correll mentioned drinking plenty of water, keeping your hands away from your face, staying away from crowds, getting plenty of rest and eating healthy as ways to keep the flu away.

“It’s also important to stay home when you’re sick so you don’t pass it on to others. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications,” said Correll.

Hamilton EMS Using Innovative Device to Disinfect Vehicles, Equipment

December 18, 2017

Hamilton Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) is taking safety to a whole new level.

HEMS is using the RDS 3110, the only solution on the market to combine hands-free decontamination of facilities and vehicles with the ability to hand-spray equipment. Ambulances and equipment have been, and still are, cleaned after each call, but the new equipment allows for deeper disinfecting.

The RDS 3110 uses the AeroClave Process – an EPA-approved, hospital-grade disinfectant – to disinfect. The environmentally friendly disinfectant solution produces no harmful by-products for the environment, contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is 100 percent biodegradable.

“The RDS 3110 is quick and effective at decontaminating,” said Lee Duman, HEMS captain. “It allows us to keep our patients and team members as safe as possible.”

HEMS received a state grant to purchase the unit by completing specialized infectious disease training. HEMS met the grant criteria by demonstrating the ability to set up and safely tear down for the transport of an Ebola patient.

“The training and the RDS 3110 will help with all infectious disease treatment and transport, not just with a possible Ebola outbreak,” said Duman.

Proven effective against many pathogens, the RDS 3110 kills germs that can spread MRSA, HIV-1, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Ebola, E. coli, Norovirus, H1N1, Salmonella, mold, mildew and more. “The solution is very effective at killing viruses and bacteria,” Duman said.

hamilton-emergency-medical-services-AeroClave 2 — The RDS 3110 an environmentally friendly disinfectant solution that produces no harmful by-products for the environment, contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is 100 percent biodegradable.

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