VALDOSTA, Ga., January 14, 2014 –South Georgia Medical Center announced today that it is the proud recipient of the Josh Nahum Special Award for Achievement in the Infection Prevention and Control category from Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA), a subsidiary of the Georgia Hospital Association. The award is part of the annual PHA Quality and Patient Safety Award program and offered in collaboration with Kimberly-Clark and the Safe Care Campaign.SGMC was recognized for its process modification and adoption of best practices that resulted in the hospital achieving and sustaining a ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) rate of zero. VAP is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections and it is a significant cause of disability and death. It commonly develops within 48-hours of endotracheal tube placement (a breathing tube). SGMC implemented a robust program that integrated surveillance and intervention through a team approach that included members of the Medical Staff, Critical Care Nursing, Infection Prevention and Control and patients and family members.“SGMC is proud to join PHA, the Safe Care Campaign, and Kimberly-Clark, in preventing the serious complications of healthcare-associated infections and educating patients and physicians about the need for better prevention practices and solutions,” said SGMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kimberly Megow. The PHA Quality and Patient Safety Award recognizes healthcare organizations for achievement in implementing evidence-based processes and best practices in reducing the risk of adverse outcomes and improving patient safety and quality. The Josh Nahum Special Achievement Award for Infection Prevention and Control was established in 2007 by Victoria and Armando Nahum, in partnership with Kimberly-Clark and the Georgia Hospital Association, in memory of their son Josh, who died from a healthcare-associated infection. “Infection prevention and control is key to patient safety,” said GHA President Earl V. Rogers. “We applaud SGMC for their leadership efforts in this area and for providing safe and effective patient care.”SGMC was presented with the award during a recognition ceremony on January 8, 2014, at the Ritz Carlton Lodge at the Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga. The VAP Leadership team at SGMC included Tom Calabro, director of critical care; Debra Baker, RN, MSN, CNL clinical nurse leader; Scarlett Rivera, RN, MSN, director of infection control & prevention; Cathy Chastain RN, BSN, infection prevention; Mickey Whatley, RRT, respiratory therapy; Rick Griffis, MMSc, RRT, director of respiratory therapy; Erin Demarco, MS, RD, LD, CNSC and Martha Adams, RN, critical care nurse manager.About PHAThe Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA), a subsidiary of GHA, was established in January 2000 to improve patient care and patient safety in hospitals and other health care facilities and create healthy communities.About GHAEstablished in 1929, GHA is the state’s largest trade 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.About Kimberly-ClarkKimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world’s population trust K-C’s brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company’s 141-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Kimberly-Clark in the Healthcare Environment Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a wide portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions, hygiene & cleaning offerings, and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. A global enterprise of more than $1 billion, Kimberly-Clark Health Care holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share position in several categories, including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management, hygiene solutions, digestive health and respiratory health. And throughout the care continuum, patients and staff alike trust Kimberly-Clark medical supplies and devices, KLEENEX tissues, KLEENEX & SCOTT skin care products and SCOTT towels for day-to-day needs. For more information, visit http://www.kchealthcare.comand http://www.kcprofessional.com.[KMB-B]Contact:Laura Weitzenhoff/Kristen PerrySchwartz MSLKCHC@schwartzmsl.com781-684-0770
