MOULTRIE – Colquitt Regional recently received two prestigious Patient Safety and Quality Awards, given by the Georgia Hospital Association.

The hospital’s project, “Simulations and Escape Rooms: A Recipe for Patient Safety,” won first place in the Hospitals with Less than 100 Beds category. Its project, “Use of Rounding Technology to Improve Patient Safety and Satisfaction,” earned second place in the same category.

The GHA annual awards presentation recognizes Georgia healthcare organizations for achievements in reducing the risk of medical errors. It also recognizes them for improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

“Patient safety is always our top priority at Colquitt Regional,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “We are continually looking for ways to innovate and improve the care we provide. These projects showcase our team’s dedication to excellence and their commitment to ensuring that our patient have the best outcomes.”

The “Simulations and Escape Rooms: A Recipe for Patient Safety” project utilized Colquitt Regional’s state-of-the-art simulation labs to enhance patient safety education for staff. The education team developed a patient safety escape room, where participants solved puzzles and interacted with a mannequin to “escape.” This allowed them to learn about critical safety protocols. Topics covered included hand hygiene, emergency response and medication safety. Also, fall prevention, urinary catheter maintenance, and personal protective equipment usage. This engaging and memorable approach reinforced essential safety practices, helping to create a safer environment for both patients and staff.

The hospital’s second-place-winning project, “Use of Rounding Technology to Improve Patient Safety and Satisfaction,” focused on identifying and implementing a technology solution. Rounding technology enables nursing and administrative leaders to round on patients in real time. The goal was to proactively address safety concerns and improve the overall patient experience. This initiative included targeted rounds for fall safety, central line, and catheter maintenance, among others. Since launching in the summer of 2023, leaders at Colquitt Regional have completed over 21,000 patient rounds. As a result, satisfaction scores have reached an all-time high. This demonstrates the program’s success in enhancing both safety and the patient experience.

“We are honored to recognize Colquitt Regional Medical Center for their innovative initiatives to enhance patient safety,” said Georgia Hospital Association President and CEO Caylee Noggle. “Their commitment to high-quality care and patient-focused strategies is making a tremendous impact on health outcomes in their community.”

Hospital Authority Chairman John Griffin also commended the team’s efforts, stating, “These awards highlight the dedication and hard work of our entire staff in ensuring the highest standards of patient care. Colquitt Regional continues to be a leader in innovation and excellence, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished.”

Receiving these awards emphasizes Colquitt Regional’s commitment to ensuring patient safety through education, innovative technology, and proactive care measures.

For more information on these awards, please contact the Colquitt Regional marketing department at 229-890-3552.