[ATLANTA –JANUARY 27, 2025] At the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Patient Safety and Quality Summit held earlier this month, GHA presented its prestigious Patient Safety and Quality Award to Optim Medical Center- Screven in Sylvania. The hospital was recognized for its project “The Chest Pain Train: Improving Compliance for Door-to-Electrocardiogram Times in the Emergency Room of a Critical Access Hospital,” which improved care of cardiac patients. The project won first place in the Critical Access Hospitals category.
These awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.
“We are immensely honored to receive the GHA Patient Safety and Quality Award for our ‘Chest Pain Train’ project. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to enhancing patient care and ensuring timely treatment for those experiencing cardiac emergencies. I am incredibly proud of our dedicated team at Optim Medical Center–Screven, whose hard work and innovative approach have made this achievement possible. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence in patient safety and quality care for our community,” commented Lagina Evans, CEO of Optim Medical Center–Screven.
Project Overview:
Optim Medical Center–Screven implemented the “Chest Pain Train” initiative to ensure that patients presenting with chest pain receive an electrocardiogram (EKG) within 10 minutes of arriving at the emergency department, in line with recommendations from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology, the multidisciplinary team streamlined protocols, enhanced staff training, and optimized workflow processes. These efforts resulted in reducing door-to-EKG times from an average of 19.7 minutes to 6.1 minutes and increasing compliance with the 10-minute standard from 15% to 88%. Additionally, transfer times for cardiac interventions in myocardial infarction cases decreased from 82 minutes to 34 minutes.
“It is an honor to recognize GHA’s Patient Safety and Quality Award winners in person each year and this year, we are proud to recognize Optim Medical Center – Screven for their outstanding work on the frontline to enhance patient safety and quality,” said GHA President and CEO Caylee Noggle. “The incredible projects presented by our member hospitals support GHA’s strategic initiatives, from access to care to behavioral health and rural health sustainability, among others. We are all working together to improve patient outcomes, and I applaud our member hospitals for continually stepping up to serve Georgians by providing high-quality care.”
Photo (Left to Right): Lora Duncan, CNO, Optim Health System; Drucilla McBride, QAPI and IPC Coordinator, Optim Medical Center-Screven (OMCS); Tabitha Simmons, Patient Access Manager, OMCS; Tabitha Simmons, Patient Access Manager, OMCS; Heather Thompson, Emergency Department Supervisor, OMCS; Jodi Brantley, Director of Financial Services, OMCS; Lagina Evans, CEO, OMCS; Not Pictured: Jennifer Rogers, Cardiopulmonary Manager
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About GHA
Founded in 1929, GHA serves more than 150 hospitals in Georgia and promotes the health and welfare of the public through the development of better hospital care for all Georgia’s citizens. 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, please call 770-249-4500 or visit gha.org.
About Optim Medical Center-Screven
Optim Medical Center-Screven has been serving families since 1951, providing a wide range of high-quality healthcare services. The facility features a state-of-the-art emergency department, comprehensive diagnostic services (laboratory, MRI, ultrasound, CAT Scan, mobile mammography, wound care, and endoscopy), and specialized care. Additionally, it offers both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy, pulmonary rehab, and GYN services. Committed to the Screven County community, the center ensures access to advanced medical care close to home. For more details, visit Optim Medical Center-Screven.
