MRMC Wins Statewide Patient Safety Awards

The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented two of its prestigious Patient Safety and Quality Awards to Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. These annual awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes. The hospital was also presented with a Circle of Excellence Award, an honor given to hospitals and health systems that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to quality and patient safety as evidenced by not only winning a patient safety award in 2020, but by earning three or more PHA Patient Safety Awards within the previous five years. “We are excited to be recognized for the constant work by our physicians, clinical staffs and leadership teams to ensure that Meadows provides a safe and effective patient care environment for all our patients,” said President & CEO, Alan Kent.

Meadows won second place in the Hospitals With Less Than 100 Beds category for its project titled “Scoping Out Ways to Prevent Hypoglycemic Events for Inpatients Receiving Insulin.” This project reduced hypoglycemic events in diabetic patients. “The reduction in hypoglycemic events is an area we have been working on for over two years and I would like to congratulate our pharmacy department, nursing staff and hospitalists for their success in treating our diabetic patients,” said Dr. Karen McColl, Chief Medical Officer.

Meadows won third place in the same category for its project titled “Strategic Plans that Lead to Reduction in Ventilator-Associated Events.” This project reduced serious complications associated with mechanical ventilation.

“Hospitals are diligently working each day 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 Meadows Regional Medical Center for its successes and for making critical progress in patient safety while ensuring the best and safest care possible for patients.”

About PHA

The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA), an affiliate 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 GHA

Founded in 1929, GHA serves more than

170 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.

2ND PLACE: HOSPITALS WITH LESS THAN 100 BEDS CATEGORY — Scoping Out Ways to Prevent Hypoglycemic Events for Inpatients Receiving Insulin — L to R: Hunter Richman, PA; James Nixon, COO; Robin Britt, Clinical Pharmacist; Robert Lummus, AVP of Quality Improvement; Karen McColl, MD, VP of Medical Affairs; Michelle Cox, Director of Pharmacy, Michelle Morgan, Patient Safety Officer.

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE — L to R: Michelle Morgan, Patient Safety Officer; James Nixon, COO; Michele Mimbs, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services; Carla Holton, Regulatory Readiness Coordinator; Robert Lummus, AVP of Quality Improvement; Karen McColl MD, VP of Medical Affairs; Michelle Cox, Director of Pharmacy.