About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2025)
PAGE 8A - THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 Piedmont Athens recognized for cardio care Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center has once again been identified as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals according to an independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard provided by Premier, Inc. To create the list, an objective, quantitative analysis of publicly available data was conduct ed to identify the top cardiovascular hospitals in the United States. The primary purpose of Pre mier’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals program is to inspire hospital and health system leaders to pursue higher performance and deliver add ed value to patients and communities. Organiza tions do not apply to participate in the study, and award winners do not pay to market their honor. “I am very excited that Piedmont Athens has been named one of Premier’s Top 50 Cardiac Hospitals again this year,” said Piedmont Athens CEO Michael Burnett. “This recognition really shows how dedicated our cardiac team is to pro viding top-notch care. We’re committed to keep ing up the great work and continuing to serve our community with the best heart care possible.” PERFORMANCE OF FACILITIES ON PREMIER’S 50 TOP CARDIOVASCULAR HOSPITALS PROGRAM LIST Compared to peer hospitals, those in the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals operated at lower cost and had better outcomes, recording significant ly higher inpatient survival rates, fewer patients with complications, lower readmission rates and up to nearly $7,000 less in total costs per patient case. Additionally, these hospitals reported: • 25% fewer acute myocardial infarction (AMI) deaths and 66 percent fewer coronary artery by pass grafting (CABG) deaths. • 30% fewer percutaneous coronary interven tions (PCI) and 19 percent fewer CABG patients with complications. • Higher 30-day survival rates for acute myo cardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF) and CABG patients (0.4 to 1.2 percentage points higher). •Lower 30-day readmission rates for AMI, HF and CABG patients (0.2 to 0.5 percentage points lower). •Shorter average lengths of stay between pa tient groups - 0.5 for AMI, 0.4 for HF, 0.3 for PCI and one full day for CABG. •$1,386 to $6,974 less in total costs per patient case (the smallest dollar-amount difference was for HF and the largest was for CABG). •A better patient experience at top performing hospitals compared to the remaining peer hos pitals, with a top-box Hospital Consumer As sessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) score of 72 percent versus 68 per cent. These outcomes add up to meaningful differ ences. According to the study’s analysis, if all hospitals operated at the level of this year’s top performers, there could be 14,000 fewer deaths due to heart disease, 28,600 fewer bypass and angioplasty patients who suffer complications, and more than $1.5 billion in inpatient costs saved for the 2025 study year. “Heart disease is America’s leading cause of death, affecting roughly 127.9 million Ameri cans and costing about $252 billion,” said Da vid Zito, Premier’s President, Performance Ser vices. “As hospitals and health systems strive for continuous improvement in cardiovascular care, data-driven insights and transformational strat egies are vital for ensuring patient-centric care aligned with optimized financial and operational performance. Premier’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals program helps hospitals evaluate na tional cardiovascular disease trends and devel op strategies to deliver targeted, evidence-based care.” Fun By The Numbers 1 4 7 2 Invasive snails can harm environment and your health Now, more than ever, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Di vision (WRD) continues to encourage anglers, boaters, and lake visi tors across the State to help prevent the spread of invasive snail species, due to the recent discov ery that these species can harbor a type of worm that can potentially cause illness in humans (if consumed). In a recent cooperative study, WRD and Dr. Ty ler Achatz’s parasitology lab at Middle Georgia College (MGC), exam ined two species of in vasive aquatic snails, the apple and mystery snail, for various parasites. In this study, apple and mystery snails were collected from multi ple locations around the state and tested for the presence of various par asites. Test results con firmed a low-level pres ence of rat lungworm (a parasitic nematode) in both snail species. This parasite can be transmit ted to people when snails or slugs are eaten raw or undercooked. The likelihood of be coming infected with rat lungworm is very low. However, in extreme rare cases, infection may lead to eosinophilic men ingitis, with complica tions including the pos sibility of death. While this newest discovery is alarming, the Centers for Disease Control website notes that the parasite does not replicate in hu mans and human-to-hu- man transmission does not occur. Prior to this study, rat lungworm had only been discovered one previ ous time in Georgia, in rats near the Atlanta Zoo (2019). While this par asite has been noted in invasive snails in oth er states, this is the first time it’s been document ed in snails in Georgia. These positive tests mean it continues to be important to remain vig ilant against invasive species, to protect your health and the health of Georgia waters. INTRODUCTION OF INVASIVE SPECIES IS PREVENTABLE Apple snails are orig inally native to South America and mystery snails are native to southeast Asia, Japan, and Russia. But both species have been intro duced into several states, including Georgia. Apple and mystery snails are illegal to pos sess in Georgia (since 2023). However, WRD remains concerned that people may continue to move or introduce these snail species to public waters or to handle and eat these invasive snails. Invasive aquatic spe cies can cause significant ecological and economic impacts across the state, from damaging vessels and other boating equip ment, impeding access to waterbodies, to dis rupting the natural eco system by displacing and out-competing native species. They can ad ditionally cause human health concerns, as seen with this recent discov ery regarding apple and mystery snails. Prevention is the first and most important step to reducing the risk of invasive species estab- * —21 Submitted photos Apple snail shell. Mystery snail shell. lishing populations in Georgia waters. Taking time to thoroughly wash down your boat, trailer, and fishing gear after each outing on the water; choosing to not dump aquariums; or simply not intentionally releasing non-native species into waterbodies where they did not previously occur are just a few ways you can help. For more information on invasive species, in cluding apple and mys tery snails, and how to report sightings, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/ ans. For more informa tion on rat lungworm and its potential health implications, contact the CDC at https://www. cdc.gov/angiostrongy- lus/about/index.html Rep. Collins announces the acceptance of cryptocurrencies to his congressional campaign On Feb. 28, Representa tive Mike Collins (GA-10) an nounced his campaign’s accep tance of cryptocurrency. “America has been held back by our reluctance to adapt to emerging technology, wheth er that be Al, machine learning, or alternative assets like crypto. I hope that by introducing this platform, I can destigmatize the crypto industry and advance the future of global finance and in novation,” said Collins. “If our nation is going to continue to be competitive in the global fi nancial system, we must adapt. Alternative digital assets — Bit- coin, Ethereum, altcoins, meme- coins, etc. — have widespread adoption almost everywhere but in Congress. My campaign’s ac ¬ ceptance today hopefully chang es that.” Collins, an active cryptocur rency trader, was the first mem ber of Congress to trade a me mecoin. The former trucker and United States Representative for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District was an early cryptocur rency trader and is an advocate for mass crypto adoption. Headmaster’s Corner by Steve Cummings ACS LITERARY TEAM WINS REGION! The wins keep coming for ACS as our High School Literary Team won their Region Championship this past week. On the Music side, Annie Rollins placed 1st in Girl’s Solo; Anneliese Ingerson, Thalia Smoot and Annie placed 1st in Girls’ Trio; Ethan Woodlief placed 2nd in Boy’s Solo; and Ethan, Gavin Crawford, Anneliese, and Thalia placed 2nd in Mixed Quartet. On the Speech side, Gavin placed 1st in Humorous Interpretation; Seth Woodlief and Bladen Smith placed 2nd in Duo Interpretation; Hannah Stephenson placed 1st in Impromptu Speaking and 2nd in Rhetorical Analysis; Bradley Zimmerman placed 2nd in Argumentative Essay; and Grace Morris placed 1st in Spelling. We are so proud of our awesome Literary Team! ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL "Affordable Quality Education Since 1970” K3-12TH CALL (706) 549-7586 www.athenschristianschool.org Foliage Fest 5k Presented by Peace Place Begins at 9:00am Pre-registration required runsignup.com VENDORS Handmade crafts, artwork & nature inspired items FOOD & Beverages Enjoy an assortment of food & beverages from local vendors Foliage Fest ! Longview Drive March 15, 2025 10am - 4pm TREE COUNCIL AN ANNUAL OUTDOOR FESTIVAL Presented by the Jefferson Tree Council WORKING TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES JEFFERSON Spring Tree Sale A variety of trees will be available to order Entertainment 10:30am 11:15am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm Music Hill Lineup Opening: American Legiorr Post 56 Color Guard/ American Legiorr Riders National Andrem: Hillary Faitli Proclanration: Mayor Jon S. Howell Ask die Experts Carperrter Sclrool of Ilislr Dance Mark Garrisorr Ms. Sally & Friends 91b. Jammers UGA Ecotones For additional information EMAIL communications@cityofieffersonga.com • CALL 706 • 367 • 5754
