The Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) recently awarded North Fulton Regional Hospital Third Place in the Josh Nahum Infection Prevention & Control Special Achievement Award Category for the 2008 PHA Quality and Patient Safety Awards. This award recognizes the hospital’s achievement through an on-going patient safety project on hard wiring surgical conscience.

Although surgery carries risk, the risk of infection is far greater than it should be. Brennan, TA, Leapee LL, et al. reported in a study that in 15,000 patient records, over 9,000 preventable adverse events were identified, of which 40 percent were related to operative procedures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that two to five percent of surgical patients in the United States develop infections. These infections can increase the length of hospital stay and cost up to $854 million per year in the United States.

...Getting to know your natural birth options. 

On January 22, North Fulton Regional Hospital and Harry's Farmer's Market will host the first program in the 2009 Whole Body, Whole Health Seminar Series.

From labor balls to water birth, your options for delivery are many!  Come learn more at this free community event.

Rich Diggleman knows about heart problems!  Several years ago he was a patient himself, facing emergency heart bypass surgery and wondering what was to come.  Following his successful bypass, Rich attended North Fulton Regional Hospital's Cardiac rehabilitation program, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Rich so enjoyed the time he spent in Cardiac Rehab, so much so that he decided to return to the hospital (this time as a volunteer).  Now years later, he maintains his work as a volunteer, giving back to others who, like he once found himself, are hospital bound.

The days leading up to the birth of a child are exciting, filled with anticipation and joy that is difficult to put into words. This is one trip to the hospital that brings with it happy memories; what better way to toast (with sparkling cider of course) to a new year?

On December 31 at 7:40 p.m., North Fulton Regional Hospital delivered its final baby of 2008. James and Meredith Atwood of Lawrenceville welcomed 8 pound 12 ounces Stella Ray Atwood into their family in the comfort of one of North Fulton Regional Hospital’s maternity suites.

Whether it be tangible gifts or gifts of love and kindness, the holidays are about giving. Many of us get caught up in the trappings of the season, focusing on buying the latest and greatest gadgets and toys for our children that they will forget about come February. With this focus on things, it is easy to forget that kind thoughts and gestures go a long way to brighten someone’s holiday season.

Hope Kemp-Hanson, a fifth grader at State Bridge Elementary School, has not forgotten…