Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Recognized for Expertise
ROME, Ga., Nov. 20, 2024 – While the ability of bacteria and fungi to survive antimicrobial therapy is a growing health threat across the globe, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center has been recognized for safely and effectively using antimicrobials to improve patient care.
The Georgia Department of Health's Honor Roll for Antibiotic Stewardship was established in 2014 in an effort to improve antimicrobial stewardship at hospitals and office care facilities statewide. This week is Antibiotics Awareness Week.
Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center was recognized with Gold status and has been on the honor roll since 2018 for its practices.
“At Floyd, we are committed to being good stewards of the use of antibiotics in treating our patients," said Gary Latta, clinical coordinator of Pharmaceutical Services at Floyd. “Being awarded Gold status is an honor that reflects our team's commitment to provide safe and effective antimicrobial therapy."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is estimated there are more than 48,000 deaths in the U.S. annually and more than 1.27 million deaths worldwide due to germs that cannot be effectively treated using antibiotics or antifungal medications.
“Appropriate use of antibiotic and antifungal drugs helps improve patient outcomes by optimizing the treatment of infections, avoiding drug-related side effects and slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance," Latta said.
“Patients often assume an antibiotic will help when they have a cold, and request antibiotics from their physicians. Many times, colds are caused by viral infections, and antibiotics offer no benefit to the patient and misuse for conditions like this can lead to antibiotic resistance," he added.
Most of these infections, such as colds, should be managed with over-the-counter medications that can help control symptoms and allow the immune system to eradicate the viral infection.
“For us to continue to make progress in addressing the problem of antibiotic resistance, health care providers must continue to educate the public about antibiotic overuse and misuse," Latta said.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Together, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.8 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.