MOULTRIE, GA — Georgia rural hospitals face unique challenges in their ability to treat and keep pediatric patients in their communities, and KidsABC is focused on improving access to quality pediatric care.
“Collaborating with KidsABC has helped us strengthen the pediatric care we already provide by giving our team access to additional child-focused training and resources,” said Jim Matney, president and CEO of Colquitt Regional Medical Center. “We are grateful for this recognition and proud of how it reflects our continued commitment to improving care for children and families in our community.”
KidsABC helps participating hospitals, like Colquitt Regional Medical Center, acquire child-friendly equipment, complete pediatric-specific emergency care staff training and implement the latest protocols and policies for treating children with critical conditions, such as asthma and diabetic ketoacidosis.
“KidsABC has equipped our team with valuable tools and guidance that enhance our ability to care for children in emergency situations,” said Colquitt Regional Chief of Pediatrics Woodwin Weeks, D.O. “This collaboration has made a meaningful difference in how we support young patients and their families right here at home.”
Colquitt Regional Medical Center commemorated its KidsABC participation and completion of milestones with a ribbon cutting attended by hospital, Children’s, Mercer School of Medicine, and GRHIC representatives.
“Today marks a very important moment for kids in rural Georgia and in Colquitt County,” said Mercer University School of Medicine Dean Jean R. Sumner, M.D., MACP. “We are honored to recognize the ED staff for their dedication to pediatric emergency care training and refining their skills to provide the best care for kids. Children are not just tiny adults when it comes to the practice of emergency medicine. They require special care and appropriate equipment and tools to help keep their care here at home. Colquitt Regional Medical Center has been a strong, committed KidsABC participant and has set the bar very high for pediatric care. We commend the efforts of the staff and leadership. They are making a difference in children’s lives and will continue to do so for years to come.”
“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta congratulates Colquitt Regional Medical Center on achieving this milestone,” said Marc Welsh, Children’s V.P. of child advocacy. “The objectives of KidsABC align with Children’s vision to ‘Do Everything Possible to Make Anything Possible for Kids.’ We want to ensure all the children of Georgia have access to quality health care and, by participating in KidsABC, hospitals like Colquitt Regional Medical Center are building capacity to serve even more kids in their own communities.”
KidsABC brings together a network of rural hospital emergency departments, pediatric offices, regional and state pediatric tertiary care hospitals and school systems to address the challenge of health care access, which many rural families face. KidsABC participants are equipped with the necessary tools, protocols, training and education, so families have access to subspecialty care, mental health care and emergency medical care in their hometowns.
Programs within KidsABC address the challenges of distance to specialty care and limited resources. KidsABC emphasizes the importance of early intervention in achieving positive outcomes. Children’s provided specialized pediatric clinical guidance to launch and sustain these programs.
Source: Mercer News.
Original article: den.mercer.edu.
