In healthcare, communication is key.  Whether it is between doctor and patient, family member and case manager, or hospital and assisted living facility, consistent communication is necessary to provide for the optimal level of care.  North Fulton Regional Hospital recognized this need and responded with an innovative new committee to enhance quality care and address any communication concerns that might arise between the hospital and the assisted living providers in the community.

“We formed this Care Transitions Task Force primarily because we recognized that there was a need to improve the coordination between facilities during the time of patient transfers,” explains Kamela Sooknanan, NFRH Service Line Administrator for Quality and Case Management.  “We brought this idea to the table to bring all local care providers into one setting so that we could collaborate on issues as they arise, before they become problematic, and expand upon our quality care.  We want valued feedback on ways we can improve senior transition from those that care for the patients once they leave the hospital.” 

Almost a full year has past since North Fulton Regional Hospital established the Care Transitions Task Force.  Since its beginnings in the fall of 2008, the committee has grown not only in number of people but also in the number of facilities represented.  Currently the task force has representation from assisted living, memory care, and nursing facilities, including Roswell Nursing and Rehabilitation, Somerby of Alpharetta, and Chambrell of Roswell, to name a few.  Meeting sites are rotated monthly and a different facility does an education in-service at each meeting. 

“The Care Transitions Task Force has been beneficial in increasing the overall knowledge on senior services within the community.  The team continues to grow as the participants value the time spent to together to focus on improving care for our seniors.  We know that it will lead to more streamlined transitions for our patients and help to ensure that they receive the highest quality care available to them,” Sooknanan said.

Currently, the task force is made up of the following facilities: North Fulton Regional Hospital; Senior Services North Fulton; Chambrel of Roswell; Cumming Nursing Center; Cumming Manor; Edenbrook of Alpharetta; Elmcroft Assisted Living; Golden Living; Manor Care of Marietta; Roswell Nursing and Rehab; St. George Village; Somerby of Alpharetta; The Veranda.

For more information about the Care Transitions Task Force at North Fulton Regional Hospital, please call 770-751-2876.