The Georgia Hospital Association Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) has presented its prestigious Patient Safety and Quality Award to two midstate hospitals – Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health in Byron and Monroe County Hospital, Navicent Health Partner in Forsyth. These annual awards recognize Georgia healthcare organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

Monroe County Hospital, Navicent Health Partner won second place in the Critical Access Hospital Category for its project, “How to Tackle and Decrease Hospital Emergency Department Patients that Leave Without Treatment.” The project improved care in the emergency department (ED) by streamlining and improving the process by which patients are seen in the ED.

“When illness and injury occur, Monroe County Hospital is here for our community. We want every experience with our emergency department to be outstanding and have taken measurable steps to reduce wait times and ensure quick access to care, reducing the percentage of patients who leave without treatment,” said Lorraine Smith, CEO of Monroe County Hospital, Navicent Health Partner.

Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health won third place in the same category for its project, “Persistence in the Pandemic: Maintaining Zero Hospital-Associated Infections.” The project helped the hospital maintain its status of zero hospital-acquired infections during the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Hospital safety has always been important to us at Medical Center of Peach County. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, it is more crucial than ever to ensure we maintain zero hospital-associated infections. We have worked diligently to ensure that we stay focused to prevent any hospital associated infections,” said Laura Gentry, CEO of Medical Center of Peach County.

“Hospitals are diligently working to ensure the safety of their patients, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Georgia Hospital Association President and CEO Earl Rogers. “We applaud Monroe County Hospital and the Medical Center of Peach County for their successes and for making critical progress in patient safety while ensuring the best and safest care possible for patients.”