The heart of flu season has passed, making way for spring and the promise of warm weather, but not without making its mark in 2008. This tricky virus has a way of popping up unexpectedly and causing misery to even the healthiest of individuals. For this reason, vaccines are always encouraged, and at hospitals, there are firm regulations for this vaccine and others. One ICU nurse decided to take the lead on an initiative to make all units of North Fulton Regional Hospital compliant with these regulations and subsequently increase the quality of care in the process.

Kim McDuffie has been a nurse in the Neuro Trauma ICU of North Fulton Regional Hospital for nineteen years. In 2007 she, along with several others nurses, took on the challenge to participate in the nurse laddering program. This clinical advancement program for RNs takes one year to complete and seeks to promote professional growth and recognition while improving patient care and job satisfaction and providing for skills advancement, leadership development and retention.

According to the most recent satisfaction surveys, NFRH has achieved some of its highest scores for employee, physician and patient satisfaction. These measures are a direct result of efforts to enhance the quality of care and service delivered at the hospital. Over the course of the last year, NFRH has added to its already impressive listing of services to now include a Vestibular Rehabilitation Program and Outpatient Pulmonary Function Testing, among other new services.

The hospital has also received national recognition for some of its existing programs. These recognitions include

• Spine Center of Excellence by United Healthcare
• Cardiac Rehabilitation re-certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)
• Primary Stroke Center recertification by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO)

NFRH also received the Silver Performance award for the American Heart Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” program in the category of heart failure. NFRH is one of only two Georgia hospitals and one of only 16 hospitals out of the 1,600 participating hospitals in the US to receive this award.

Looking to the Future
With all of these awards and designations, NFRH has nowhere to go but forward. The commitment to quality is a long-term initiative, so patients can feel confident knowing that their hospital is continuously striving to be better than the rest.

This March North Fulton Regional Hospital along with its staff of employees and physicians has dedicated itself to spreading the word about good nutrition and an overall healthy lifestyle. National Nutrition Month® is a time to stress this importance, and the hospital kicked off the campaign with Nutrition 101: It’s a Matter of Fact.

The response to the program was overwhelming as participants requested more information on nutrition, exercise and weight loss.  The Lifesteps Weight Management Program is here for those wanting to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle.

North Fulton Regional Hospital is pleased to welcome new Chief Financial Officer Wesley O. James to the Administrative Team.

James joins the staff during a very exciting time of growth and innovation at the hospital.  Read more about the expansion and highlights of 2007 and see where the hospital headed in 2008.

Each year NFRH commits to support various non-profit organizations in the local community through the Tenet Healthcare Foundation. This year we are proud to throw our support behind the American Cancer Society as a Sponsor for the 2008 "Rock and Roll Relay" for Life.

In addition to our sponsorship, the hospital will also organize a team to walk throughout the duration of the Relay...12 hours!  Would you like to join us for this fun community event??  Read on...

The volunteers at North Fulton Regional Hospital are second to none, displaying passion, dedication and care to anyone and everyone they come in contact with at the hospital.  Throughout the hospital's almost 25-year history, many changes have taken place that have contributed to the growth of the Volunteer Program.  The most recent change is the switch to the new uniform...no longer pink, the new outfits will dress the volunteers in blue.  For many, this is a welcome change.

There are numerous opportunities for involvement in the Volunteer Program at North Fulton Regional Hospital.  Read about some of the positions available for those who wish to serve.  For some people, participation in the program led to a future career...