Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
See separate instructions.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document? | (v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support? | (vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.? | (vii) Amount of monetary support | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | ||||
| (A)
NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER |
581694098 | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0 | |||
| Total | 0 | ||||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2009 | (b) 2010 | (c) 2011 | (d) 2012 | (e) 2013 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .... | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2009 | (b) 2010 | (c) 2011 | (d) 2012 | (e) 2013 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support (Add lines 7 through 10). | ||||||






Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2009 | (b) 2010 | (c) 2011 | (d) 2012 | (e) 2013 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513.. | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2009 | (b) 2010 | (c) 2011 | (d) 2012 | (e) 2013 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||




| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 | INFORMATION FOR THE FORM 990 WAS PROVIDED TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FOR PREPARATION OF THE RETURN. AFTER THE RETURN WAS PREPARED, IT WAS REVIEWED BY SENIOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. THE 990 IS MADE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE ANNUALLY. EMPLOYEES ATTEST TO THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND REPORTING/DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS AT HIRE AND ANNUALLY. COMPLIANCE IS MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BY THE BOARD. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD (NGHS BOARD) HAS DEVELOPED AND INSTALLED COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT SEEK TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF NGHS AND AFFILIATES AND TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY EMPLOYEES. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF VOTING DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OF NGHS. ALL DECISIONS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ARE REVIEWED AND RATIFIED BY THE NGHS BOARD. THE COMMITTEE'S METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH INCORPORATES BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CONSIDERATIONS, WHICH ARE REFLECTED IN THE COMMITTEE'S DETERMINATIONS CONCERNING KEY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND THE SPECIFIC COMPONENTS THEREOF. THE COMPENSATION DECISIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE DESCRIBED BELOW AS TO EACH OF THE THREE CATEGORIES. BASE SALARY ANNUAL BASE SALARIES ARE SET AT MARKET COMPETITIVE LEVELS WITH HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS OF A SIMILAR SIZE AND COMPLEXITY FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. SPECIFICALLY THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS PEER GROUP COMPARISONS FROM SURVEY DATA FOR OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS, RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT, RECOMMENDATIONS ON RANGES AND PLACEMENT FROM THE CEO, AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS FOR EACH POSITION. IN EACH INSTANCE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REACH A CONSENSUS BASED ON THE COMBINATION OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION, AND THE COMMITTEE SETS A BASE SALARY LEVEL FOR EACH KEY EMPLOYEE. PERFORMANCE BASED VARIABLE COMPENSATION NUMEROUS PERFORMANCE GOALS ARE QUANTITATIVE IN NATURE, RESULTING IN A PERFORMANCE BASED VARIABLE COMPENSATION COMPONENT THAT IS WEIGHTED TOWARD ATTAINING NGHS BOARD-APPROVED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. ANNUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE ESTABLISHED THROUGH A FORMAL PLANNING PROCESS INVOLVING BOARD AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE BOARD APPROVES THESE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR. OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES RECEIVE CASH AWARDS AS A FORMULA DRIVEN PERCENTAGE OF BASE SALARY LEVELS BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT AND PREDETERMINED INDIVIDUAL OBJECTIVES. BENEFITS AND RETENTION PROGRAMS BENEFIT CATEGORIES AND AMOUNTS ARE DETERMINED BY A COMPARISON PROCESS SIMILAR TO DETERMINING BASE SALARIES WITH POSITIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS SIMILAR TO NGHS. INCLUDED IN BENEFITS ARE RETIREMENT PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE RETENTION AND PROGRESS TOWARD LONG-TERM GOALS WITHIN NGHS' MISSION. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND STATISTICS ARE FILED QUARTERLY WITH DIGITAL ASSURANCE CERTIFICATION, LLC (DAC BOND). DAC BOND SERVES AS A DISCLOSURE DISSEMINATION AGENT FOR ISSUERS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS ELECTRONICALLY POSTING AND TRANSMITTING INFORMATION TO REPOSITORIES AND INVESTORS. ALL OTHER ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G | CONSULTING/ MANAGEMENT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 793,686. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 815,571. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,609,257. CONTRACT SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 2,122,602. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 2,181,133. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 4,303,735. OUTSIDE SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 289,428. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 297,409. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 586,837. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | INTERCOMPANY FORGIVENESS 19,518,945. MINIMUM PENSION LIABILITY ADJUSTMENT -16,399,602. PARTNERSHIP INCOME NOT ON BOOKS -146,108. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | LOCATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN SECTION OF THE STATE IN HALL COUNTY, NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER (NGMC) IS A 557-BED NOT-FOR-PROFIT REGIONAL REFERRAL FACILITY THAT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF ACUTE CARE AND SPECIALTY SERVICES. THROUGH ITS ROLE AS A REGIONAL SAFETY NET HOSPITAL, NGMC SERVES THE AREA'S LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED, UNDERINSURED AND OTHER VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. APPROXIMATELY HALF OF NGMC'S PATIENTS COME FROM OUTSIDE OF HALL COUNTY. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL, NGMC REINVESTS ALL FUNDS IN EXCESS OF OPERATING EXPENSES INTO HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE MEDICAL CENTER RECEIVES NO OPERATING FUNDS FROM HALL OR OTHER COUNTIES SERVED, AND SERVICES ARE FUNDED BY REVENUE GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS. NGMC PROVIDED CHARITY CARE TO HALL COUNTY RESIDENTS AT A COST OF $17.8 MILLION IN 2014 WITH ANOTHER $11.1 MILLION PROVIDED TO REGIONAL RESIDENTS OUTSIDE HALL COUNTY. THE MEDICAL CENTER'S CHARITY CARE POLICY PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UP TO 300 PERCENT OF THE POVERTY LEVEL DOUBLE THE AMOUNT GENERALLY PROVIDED BY OTHER HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE. THE HOSPITAL IS A KEY PARTICIPANT AND FISCAL SPONSOR IN PROGRAMS AIMED AT TREATING LOW-INCOME AND UNINSURED PATIENTS, INCLUDING THE GOOD NEWS CLINICS, THE LARGEST FREE HEALTH CARE CLINIC IN GEORGIA, AND HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE (HAI), A LOCAL SERVICE THAT MATCHES FINANCIALLY ELIGIBLE PATIENTS TO SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO CARE, AMONG OTHER SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY: - LOCATED IN GEORGIA'S FASTEST GROWING REGION, THE 63-YEAR-OLD HOSPITAL HAS EXPANDED CONSIDERABLY IN RECENT YEARS TO MEET DEMAND AND UPDATE ITS AGING PLANT, INVESTING A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS IN ITS FACILITIES AND $200 MILLLION-PLUS AT THE NGMC BRASELTON CAMPUS, EXPANDING SERVICES SUCH AS OBSTETRICS AND RADIATION THERAPY. - NGMC'S QUALITY OF CARE IS OFTEN AWARDED, AND THE HOSPITAL RANKS AMONG THE TOP IN THE STATE FOR CARDIAC SERVICES; - SINCE 2000, NGMC HAS PROVIDED NEARLY THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF INDIGENT AND CHARITY CARE SET FORTH IN REQUIREMENTS BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH FOR SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR NEW SERVICES, AND, UNLIKE MANY GEORGIA NOT-FOR-FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS HELD TO THE SAME REQUIREMENTS, NGMC DOES NOT RECEIVE TAX FUNDING FROM ITS LOCAL COUNTY TO HELP FUND INDIGENT CARE TO AREA RESIDENTS; - NGMC IS THE PRIMARY HOSPITAL FOR LOW-INCOME PATIENTS IN GAINESVILLE-HALL COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE REGION IN COUNTIES SUCH AS BANKS, DAWSON, AND WHITE, WHERE MANY KEY MEDICAL SPECIALTIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER - NGMC IS NUMBER 10 IN TOP HOSPITALS FOR NET UNCOMPENSATED CARE ($37.2 M) PROVIDED IN GA BASED ON SFY 2014 ICTF TOTAL HOSPITAL SPECIFIC DSH LIMITS; MANY OF THE HOSPITALS ON THE LIST RECEIVED LOCAL TAX DOLLARS. NGMC PROVIDED CHARITY CARE TO HALL COUNTY RESIDENTS AT A COST OF $17.8 MILLION IN 2014, WITH ANOTHER $11.6 MILLION PROVIDED TO REGIONAL RESIDENTS OUTSIDE HALL COUNTY. NGMC RECEIVES NO LOCAL TAX REVENUE FROM HALL COUNTY (OR ANY COUNTIES SERVED IN REGION 2) TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS OR CARE PROVIDED TO INDIGENT RESIDENTS, UNLIKE A NUMBER OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITALS. NGMC SERVES AS A FINANCIAL ENGINE FOR ITS LOCAL ECONOMY. IN 2012 (LATEST NUMBERS AVAILABLE), THE HOSPITAL GENERATED MORE THAN $1 BILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE FOR THE LOCAL AND STATE ECONOMIES, ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE GEORGIA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, WHICH APPLIED AN ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER TO THE HOSPITAL'S DIRECT EXPENDITURES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE "RIPPLE" EFFECT THE HOSPITAL'S SPENDING HAS ON OTHER SECTORS OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY. APPLYING AN EMPLOYMENT MULTIPLIER, THE REPORT FOUND THAT THE HOSPITAL SUSTAINED MORE THAN 8,000 FULL-TIME JOBS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND THE STATE IN 2012 IN ADDITION TO THE MORE THAN 5,000 EMPLOYED DIRECTLY BY NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM. UNDER IRS LAW, A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION, CLASSIFIED AS A 501(C)(3) CHARITY, IS REQUIRED TO: HAVE A MISSION THAT WILL BENEFIT ITS COMMUNITY; REINVEST ALL SURPLUS FUNDS IN THE ORGANIZATION IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY; COMPENSATE EXECUTIVES, CONTRACTORS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES IN ACCORDANCE TO FAIR MARKET VALUE; REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY; REFRAIN FROM PARTICIPATING IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS FOR OR AGAINST CANDIDATES AND/OR LOBBY AS A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF ITS ACTIVITIES; AND, REMAIN FINANCIALLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY BY NOT ALLOWING ANY PORTION OF ITS NET EARNINGS TO BENEFIT ANY PRIVATE SHAREHOLDER OR INDIVIDUAL. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL, NGMC CARRIES ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, AS ESTABLISHED BY THE IRS IN 1965: - OPERATE A FULL-TIME EMERGENCY ROOM THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY; - NGMC OPERATES THE 4TH BUSIEST ER IN GEORGIA. IN 2014, MORE THAN 20% OF ALL NGMC'S EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS WERE MADE BY SELF-PAY PATIENTS. - PROVIDE NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ANYONE ABLE TO PAY; - NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY, ADVANCED SPECIALTY AND PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA COMMUNITY, SERVING ALMOST 700,000 PEOPLE IN MORE THAN 13 COUNTIES. IN FY14, NGMC'S PAYOR MIX WAS 61% MEDICARE/MEDICAID, 31% COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AND 8% SELF PAY - PARTICIPATE IN MEDICAID AND MEDICARE; - 61% OF PATIENTS SERVED BY NGMC IN FY14 WERE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE PATIENTS. - CREATE A GOVERNING BOARD THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES; - MORE THAN 80 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN GOVERNANCE THROUGH NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM, NGMC AND OTHER SUBSIDIARY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES. - ALLOW MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES TO ANY PROFESSIONAL WHO IS QUALIFIED AND APPLIES; AND, - NGMC HAS A MEDICAL STAFF OF ROUGHLY 500 PHYSICIANS REPRESENTING NUMEROUS ADVANCED SPECIALTIES SUCH AS GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, CARDIAC SURGERY, CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, SURGICAL TRAUMA, NEONATOLOGY AND PERINATOLOGY. - REINVEST SURPLUS FUNDS IN OPERATIONS. - AS NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, NGMC AND ITS PARENT ORGANIZATION, NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM, REVENUE GENERATED ABOVE OPERATING EXPENSES IS REINVESTED INTO THE COMMUNITY. EXAMPLES INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MEDICAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE NEW HOSPITAL IN BRASELTON OFFERING 24/7 EMERGENCY ROOM SERVICES NOT PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS; INVESTMENTS IN ADVANCED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS ROBOTIC SURGICAL SYSTEMS AND STATE OF THE ART RADIATION THERAPY EQUIPMENT; AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ONLY LEVEL 2 TRAUMA CENTER IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA. - NGMC PARTICIPATES IN THE INDIGENT CARE TRUST FUND (ICTF), A 20-YEAR- OLD PROGRAM THAT EXPANDS MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AND SERVICES,SUPPORTS RURAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES THAT SERVE THE MEDICALLY INDIGENT AND FUNDS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS FOR MEDICALLY INDIGENT GEORGIANS. GEORGIA'S DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITAL (DSH) PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH THE ICTF, AND ASSISTS HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH PROVIDERS THAT CARE FOR HIGH PROPORTIONS OF MEDICAID, UNINSURED AND/OR LOW-INCOME PATIENTS. IN 2014, NGMC RECEIVED $8.3 MILLION IN NET FUNDS ALLOCATED THROUGH THE ICTF AND UPL PROGRAM TO PARTIALLY OFFSET A FINANCIAL LOSS OF $38.6 MILLION IN COST THE MEDICAL CENTER INCURRED TREATING UNINSURED AND MEDICAID PATIENTS |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION: | NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER (NGMC) VALUES COOPERATIVE EFFORTS WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH STATUS OF AREA CITIZENS. NGMC DEMONSTRATES THIS THROUGH MANY PARTNERSHIPS RANGING FROM SERVING AS LEAD AGENCY OF THE SAFE KIDS COALITION OF GAINESVILLE-HALL COUNTY, TO PARTNERING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS GOOD NEWS CLINICS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO REACH AT-RISK POPULATIONS IN NEED OF HEALTH CARE. IN FY14, OVER $5 MILLION WAS PROVIDED IN COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS/OUTREACH. COMMUNITY EDUCATION WAS PROVIDED THROUGH FREE COMMUNITY LECTURES, VARIOUS SUPPORT GROUPS AND THE SEMI-ANNUAL HEALTH MAGAZINE, COMMUNICARE. PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE THROUGH THE SPEAKER'S BUREAU, AND NGMC ALSO OFFERED SEVERAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION SEMINARS IN 2014 ON TOPICS INCLUDING BREAST CANCER, PARKINSON'S DISEASE, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, WOMEN'S HEALTH EDUCATION AND MORE. THESE SEMINARS GENERATED MORE THAN 200 PARTICIPANTS, AND MANY DIFFERENT PHYSICIANS FROM PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATED IN THE SEMINARS. WHAT DRIVES NGMC'S COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES? NGMC, WITH INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, COMPLETED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) IN 2013. THE STUDY CULMINATED IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF 10 PRIORITY HEALTH NEEDS AND INCLUDED A SECONDARY DATA SCAN AND A COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFILE FOR HALL COUNTY. THE ASSESSMENT FOCUSED MAINLY ON THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH LOW-INCOMES WHO ARE UNINSURED. SIX FOCUS GROUPS WERE HELD AND NEARLY 25 ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH STAKEHOLDERS. GO TO WWW.NGHS.COM TO SEE A SPREADSHEET OF INTIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER IS INVOLVED WITH WHICH ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS. MANY ACTIVITIES OVERLAP DIFFERENT PRIORITIES, AND NGMC'S INVOLVEMENT RANGES FROM PROVIDING THE ACTIVITY ITSELF TO CONTRIBUTING IN SOME WAY. THE SPREADSHEET IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, BUT HIGHLIGHTS MANY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS. THE FULL CHNA IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE. PARTNERING TO REACH THE UNINSURED: NGMC WORKS COOPERATIVELY WITH OTHER AREA HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO CARE FOR ALL AREA CITIZENS, PARTICULARLY THE INDIGENT POPULATION. PROVIDERS ARE UNITED TO ENSURE CONSISTENT AND QUALITY PATIENT CARE THROUGH ENHANCED COORDINATION. PARTNERS INCLUDE, BUT AREN'T LIMITED TO, NGMC, THE NGPG - PRIMARY CARE CLINIC AT HALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC, THE LONGSTREET CLINIC, GOOD NEWS CLINICS (INDIGENT CLINIC), MEDLINK (FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER), AS WELL AS PHYSICIANS. GOOD NEWS CLINICS: NGMC PROVIDES FUNDING TO GNC THAT HELPS PROVIDE MEDICATIONS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR GOOD NEWS CLINICS THE LARGEST FREE CLINIC IN GEORGIA. FOUNDED IN 1992, GOOD NEWS CLINICS IS A CHRISTIAN MINISTRY THAT PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE TO THE INDIGENT AND UNINSURED POPULATION AT NO CHARGE. FORTY-THREE PHYSICIANS, MID-LEVEL PROVIDERS AND 39 DENTISTS VOLUNTEER TO TREAT PATIENTS AT GOOD NEWS CLINICS. IN ADDITION, OVER 300 SPECIALIST PHYSICIANS VOLUNTEER TO TREAT PATIENTS IN THEIR OFFICES THROUGH REFERRALS FROM GOOD NEWS CLINICS, NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP (NGPG) PRIMARY CARE CLINIC AT THE HALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND PHYSICIANS IN HALL COUNTY. IN FY14, OVER $400,000 WAS DONATED TO HELP GOOD NEWS CLINICS PROVIDE CARE TO INDIGENT PATIENTS WHO WERE AT OR BELOW 150% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS. CLINICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM NGMC STAFF A CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE CLINIC AT GOOD NEWS CLINICS (GNC), AS WELL AS A CARDIOLOGY CLINIC. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL WITH ONLY 10 READMISSIONS OF GNC CHF PATIENTS IN EIGHT YEARS. ADDITIONAL HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE PROVIDED TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AT GNC SUCH AS PROSTATE SCREENINGS. NGPG PRIMARY CARE CLINIC AT THE HALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: NGMC PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN FUNDING A PRIMARY CARE CLINIC AT THE HALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN FY14, NGMC CONTRIBUTED OVER $500,000. PRENATAL CARE PROGRAM AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT: NGMC PARTNERS WITH THE LONGSTREET CLINIC TO IMPROVE BIRTH OUTCOMES BY INCREASING EARLY PRENATAL CARE FOR LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED AND UNDER-INSURED PREGNANT WOMEN VIA THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S PRIMARY CARE CENTER. YEARLY COST TO NGMC IS APPROXIMATELY $200,000. INDIGENT PATIENT FUND: AT NGMC, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS TO OBTAIN URGENTLY NEEDED DISCHARGE MEDICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION. INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR THESE FUNDS ARE PATIENTS WHOSE NEEDS CANNOT BE MET THROUGH PRIMARY INSURANCE, THEIR OWN PERSONAL FUNDS, GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS OR OTHER CHARITABLE SERVICES. THIS HELPS TO ENSURE MEDICATION COMPLIANCE AND MAXIMIZE CONDITIONS FOR RECOVERY AND RECUPERATION. THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THIS. CHARITY CARE: NGMC'S CHARITY CARE POLICY REMOVES BARRIERS FOR LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS BEGINNING WITH FREE CARE FOR PATIENTS UP TO 150% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL. FURTHER, SELF-PAY PATIENTS UP TO 300% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL QUALIFY FOR AN ADJUSTMENT EQUIVALENT TO THE HOSPITAL'S MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT RATE PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 40% DISCOUNT. TOTAL CHARITY CARE COST FOR FY14: $28.9 MILLION $17.8 MILLION FOR HALL COUNTY; $11.1 MILLION FOR REGIONAL RESIDENTS NGMC VOLUNTEERS: IN FY14, 616 NGMC VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 58,344 VOLUNTEER HOURS, EQUIVALENT TO 34 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND A VALUE OF OVER $1.3 MILLION. WHILE THESE FIGURES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE QUANTITATIVE PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT, THEY SHOW THE DEPTH OF SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY GIVES NGMC. THE TEEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM HAD 98 TEENS TO PARTICIPATE IN 2014. THE TEENS CAME FROM EIGHT COUNTIES AND REPRESENTED 20 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS WITHIN THE AREA. ENCOURAGING MEDICAL VOLUNTEERING: NGMC PROVIDES INFORMATION AT PHYSICIAN ORIENTATION TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICIANS TO STEP UP TO VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH LOCAL FREE CLINICS (GOOD NEWS CLINICS IN GAINESVILLE AND HELPING HAND CLINIC IN CLEVELAND) AS WELL AS HEALTH ACCESS. NGPG ALSO ENCOURAGES PHYSICIANS TO GIVE OF THEIR TIME VOLUNTEERING AT THESE LOCATIONS. THE CANCER CENTER AT NGMC HAS DEVELOPED A MEMBERSHIP MODEL FOR PHYSICIANS THAT CONTAINS CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION WHICH INCLUDES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A SPEAKER PROGRAM, SCREENING ACTIVITY, CANCER PREVENTION ACTIVITY OR OUTREACH. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEMBERSHIP MODEL IS TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE QUALITY, ACCESS AND PROGRAMMATIC EXCELLENCE. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION: | FINANCIAL NAVIGATORS: NGMC HAS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COUNSELORS WHO HELP PATIENTS BECOME INSURED, BE IT THROUGH MEDICAID, PEACHCARE OR OTHER PROGRAMS. NGMC HAS TURNED FINANCIAL COUNSELORS INTO "FINANCIAL NAVIGATORS." THIS TEAM FOCUSES ON BEING ADVOCATES FOR UNINSURED AND UNDER-INSURED PATIENTS, AIDING THEM IN FINDING VIABLE MEANS TO ACCESS CARE. THEY FIND THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR HELPING PATIENTS APPLY FOR MEDICAID OR DISABILITY, ACCESSING THE NEW HEALTHCARE EXCHANGES OR PROCESSING CHARITY APPLICATIONS WHEN APPROPRIATE. THE TEAM IS UNDERGOING TRAINING TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN THIS AREA AS "CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE REFORM SPECIALISTS." PATIENT NAVIGATORS: NGMC ALSO HAS A CANCER PATIENT NAVIGATION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CANCER PATIENTS WITH GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT THEIR CANCER JOURNEY, AND THEY ARE SEEN AS A "LIVING RESOURCE DIRECTORY" FOR PATIENTS. THE CANCER CENTER OFFERS THE COMMUNITY TWO PATIENT NAVIGATORS AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PATIENT NAVIGATION PROGRAM: ONE IS AN RN WHO IS A CERTIFIED BREAST HEALTH NAVIGATOR WHO WORKS EXCLUSIVELY WITH BREAST CANCER PATIENTS; AND THE SECOND IS AN AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY PATIENT RESOURCE NAVIGATOR WHO ASSISTS ALL CANCER PATIENTS AND IS BILINGUAL. PARTNERING IN THE COMMUNITY: VISION 2030: NGMC IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN VISION 2030 (WWW.VISION2030.ORG). THIS COMMUNITY-WIDE PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY THE GREATER HALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND PARTICIPATION IS OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY. AN NGMC EMPLOYEE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD OF VISION 2030. VISION 2030 FOCUSES ON THE CREATION OF A CULTURE OF COMMUNITY WELLNESS, THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFELONG LEARNING, THE BUILDING OF AN ECONOMY AROUND EMERGING LIFE SCIENCES, THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF INNOVATIVE GROWTH/INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL INTEGRATION. NGMC IS ALSO AN ACTIVE PARTNER ON OTHER CHAMBER COMMITTEES SUCH AS THE HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE AND THE HEALTH INITIATIVE CONSORTIUM. NGMC IS ALSO A PARTNER IN HALLMARK, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PLAN THAT ADDRESSES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PARTNERSHIP. MEMBERS OF NGMC'S BARIATRIC SERVICE LINE ALSO SERVE ON HALL COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM'S WELLNESS COUNCIL. AN NGMC REPRESENTATIVE SERVES ON HALL COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION (HCFC). HCFC ADOPTED TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION AND OBESITY PREVENTION AS ITS TWO FOCUS AREAS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. HALL COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION IS A COLLABORATIVE WHICH SERVES AS THE LOCAL DECISION-MAKING BODY, BRINGING COMMUNITY PARTNERS TOGETHER TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE PLANS THAT ADDRESS THE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN OUR COUNTY. ITS VISION IS THAT EVERY CHILD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL FOR GOOD HEALTH, BE SECURE FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND BECOME A LITERATE, PRODUCTIVE, ECONOMICALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE MISSION OF HCFC IS TO IDENTIFY AND MONITOR AREAS OF COMMUNITY CONCERN AND TO MOBILIZE THE COMMUNITY AND ITS RESOURCES IN A COMMON EFFORT TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS. THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION (MCF) RAISES FUNDS TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY: THE MCF IS THE FUNDRAISING ARM OF NGMC AND RAISES FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION'S OPERATING EXPENSES ARE SUPPORTED BY NGMC SO THAT DONATED FUNDS CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT NGMC PROJECTS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES. FOLLOWING ARE ITEMS OF INTEREST TO NOTE: - SINCE 1997, OVER $2.7 MILLION HAS BEEN RAISED FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THROUGH THE MEDICAL CENTER OPEN - THE 2014 MEDICAL CENTER OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISED OVER $250,000 FOR CENTER POINT, WHICH FUNDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL FACILITY, CENTER POINT SOUTH, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO COUNSELING, MENTORING AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF THEM. - W.A.T.C.H. MEMBERS HAVE DONATED MORE THAN $4 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY JOURNEY CAMPAIGN SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION IN 2000. INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH: SAFE KIDS COALITION WORKS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE: THE GAINESVILLE-HALL COUNTY SAFE KIDS COALITION, LED BY NGMC, IS PART OF THE NATIONAL SAFE KIDS CAMPAIGN, THE FIRST AND ONLY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED SOLELY TO THE PREVENTION OF UNINTENTIONAL CHILDHOOD INJURY, WHICH IS THE NATION'S NUMBER ONE KILLER OF CHILDREN AGES 14 AND UNDER. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES AFFORDABLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS CAR SEATS, BIKE HELMETS, AND LIFE JACKETS TO AREA CHILDREN IN NEED. WORKING WITH A COALITION MADE UP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, AREA SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AND OTHERS, SAFE KIDS PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND PROGRAMS THAT TEACH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS HOW TO AVOID ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. SAFE KIDS CONTINUED THE WORK OF INJURY PREVENTION FOR FAMILIES IN THE HALL COUNTY COMMUNITY IN 2014 THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF MCF AND THE HEALTHY JOURNEY CAMPAIGN. IN FY14, MEMBERS OF THE GAINESVILLE-HALL COUNTY SAFE KIDS COALITION PROVIDED OVER 352 PROGRAMS AND EVENTS THAT REACHED AN ESTIMATED 59,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, TEACHERS AND CAREGIVERS. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, OVER 4,695 SAFETY DEVICES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES WHO WERE IN NEED OF THEM. PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM: AS PART OF A COMMUNITY FOCUSED EFFORT TO REDUCE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE, NGMC HAS INSTITUTED SPECIALIZED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION GUIDELINES WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THERE IS A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC OF PRESCRIPTION NARCOTIC ABUSE. WITH THIS IN MIND, NGMC PUT INTO PLACE NEW POLICIES AND PROTOCOLS TO ASSIST IN THE MANAGEMENT AND TRACKING OF ED NARCOTIC USE AND PRESCRIPTIONS. THIS IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND NATIONWIDE EFFORTS TO SAVE LIVES. GOOD NEWS CLINICS IS A PARTNER IN THIS EFFORT AS WELL, AND IT WILL SOON BE EXPANDED INTO NGPG'S URGENT CARE CENTERS. NGMC ALSO PARTNERS WITH THE DRUG FREE COALITION OF HALL COUNTY LOCALLY AS WELL AS THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA'S "THINK ABOUT IT CAMPAIGN." THE "THINK ABOUT IT" CAMPAIGN FOR THE EDUCATION ABOUT AND PREVENTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IS A PROJECT SPONSORED BY THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA FOUNDATION. "THINK ABOUT IT" IS COMPOSED OF THREE COMPREHENSIVE INITIATIVES: DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE DRUG POLICY; SAFE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; AND EDUCATION FOR BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF AND PREVENTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE. THE "THINK ABOUT IT" CAMPAIGN IS WORKING WITH A BROAD RANGE OF ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING MEDICAL SPECIALTY SOCIETIES, THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS, THE GEORGIA BOARD OF PHARMACY, THE GEORGIA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION, THE GBI, OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, AND RELIGIOUS, CIVIC, AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER EDUCATE AND CREATE PROGRAMS TO HELP ERADICATE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE ACROSS OUR STATE. NGMC'S ER MEDICAL DIRECTOR, A BOARD MEMBER, PHYSICIANS AND OTHER ER STAFF ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THESE EFFORTS. NGMC HAS HOSTED SPEAKERS ON THE TOPIC AND CURRENTLY HAS POSTERS AND BROCHURES THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL AND NGPG OFFICES. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION: | SAFE KIDS OF GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTY, LED BY NGMC, PARTNERS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES ON "DRUG TAKE BACK DAYS" (OPERATION PILL DROP), WITH VARIOUS COLLECTION POINTS IN THE COUNTY. THIS GIVES COMMUNITY MEMBERS A SAFE WAY TO DISPOSE OF UNWANTED, UNUSED DRUGS. EDUCATION AT INTERACTIVE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR KIDS (INK): NGMC PROVIDES AN EXHIBIT AT INK THAT ENCOURAGES MULTI-SENSORY LEARNING THROUGH TOOLS THAT ALLOW KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE WORKING (AND PLAYING) IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY. THROUGH HANDS-ON INTERACTIVE PLAY, KIDS HAVE FUN DOING EVERYTHING FROM DRESSING UP IN DOCTOR'S SCRUBS AND PUSHING A "PATIENT" AROUND IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TAKING THEIR PARENT OR FRIEND'S MAKE-BELIEVE BLOOD PRESSURE OR LISTENING TO THEIR HEART WITH A REAL STETHOSCOPE. IT IS HOPED THAT BEING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WILL HELP KIDS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE OR IN THE HOSPITAL. A SECOND EXHIBIT CALLED THE BUILDING A HEALTHY BODY EXHIBIT, FUNDED BY THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION, SERVES AS INK'S CORE GALLERY ON HEALTH-RELATED EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING. THE EXHIBIT EXPLORES TWO PRIMARY THEMES: MAINTAINING A HEALTHY BODY AS IT RELATES TO NUTRITION, EXERCISE AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES; AND THE ANATOMY OF A HEALTHY BODY AS IT RELATES TO BODY SYSTEMS, ORGANS AND FUNCTIONS. THE MAIN CENTERPIECE IS A LARGER-THAN-LIFE BOY NAMED "BUDDY" WHICH STANDS FOR BODY UNDER DEVELOPMENT. BUDDY IS A FUN, INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT THAT KIDS AND PARENTS CAN EXPLORE AND GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: OBESITY/EXERCISE/NUTRITION, SMOKING, HYGIENE/GERMS AND DIABETES. DIABETES EDUCATION: THE DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM AT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER IS RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION FOR QUALITY SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION. A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IS OFFERED TO PEOPLE WITH DIABETES AND THEIR FAMILIES BY CERTIFIED DIABETES EDUCATORS, REGISTERED NURSES AND REGISTERED DIETITIANS. EDUCATION FOR SENIORS: GETTING OLDER AND BETTER WORKSHOP: OVER 300 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE GETTING OLDER AND BETTER WORKSHOP IN MAY IN GAINESVILLE AND THE SPOUT SPRINGS LIBRARY IN FLOWERY BRANCH. THIS EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE MEDICAL CENTER AUXILIARY, PROVIDED BY NGMC AND FEATURED DR. AMBER FRENCH WHO PRESENTED ON WELLNESS 100, AN AWARD-WINNING BOOK THAT TEACHES WEIGHT LOSS AND LIFE-LONG WELLNESS BASED ON EATING REAL FOOD. BIOIDENTIAL HORMONE THERAPY WAS ALSO A TOPIC AT THIS YEAR'S EVENT. FLU AND PNEUMONIA PROGRAM AT THE GUEST HOUSE: NGMC PROVIDES FLU AND PNEUMONIA VACCINATIONS AT NO CHARGE TO CLIENTS AT THE GUEST HOUSE, AN ADULT DAY HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE ARE OFTEN THE FRAIL AND ELDERLY WHO HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING TO THEIR PHYSICIAN. WISDOM PROJECT: NGMC SUPPORTS THIS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR SENIORS TO SHARE THEIR WISDOM, EXPERIENCE AND TALENTS IN CREATIVE WAYS THROUGH ACTION AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF HALL COUNTY. THE INITIATIVE IS SPONSORED BY BRENAU UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR LIFETIME STUDY. AN NGMC STAFF MEMBER PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROGRAM. NGMC HAS SPONSORED ONE TO TWO PARTICIPANTS DURING EACH CLASS, GENERALLY RETIRED EMPLOYEES, AND THE MEDICAL CENTER AUXILIARY HAS ALSO SPONSORED ONE TO TWO ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EACH SESSION. NGMC ALSO HOSTS A PROGRAM FOR EACH CLASS, EDUCATING THEM ABOUT HOW NATIONAL HEALTH CARE ISSUES AFFECT NGMC; DURING THESE PROGRAMS, NGMC SPONSORS LUNCH FOR THE CLASS. NGMC HAS ALSO PROVIDED A DONATION FOR A NON-PROFIT, VOLUNTEER RUN TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM SERVING HALL COUNTY SENIOR ADULTS, CALLED ITNLANIER, WHICH IS BEING SPEARHEADED BY THE WISDOM PROJECT. THE SERVICE PROVIDES PERSONAL, COST EFFECTIVE TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY. ITNLANIER IS A PRE-AFFILIATE OF ITNAMERICA, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH 27 CHAPTERS PROVIDING THOUSANDS OF RIDES DAILY TO SENIOR CITIZENS. ITNLANIER HAS 24 LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AS BOARD AND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DOES NOT RECEIVE STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDING. LACK OF TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES WAS ONE OF THE BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS IDENTIFIED IN OUR MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH: NGMC EMPLOYEES ARE VERY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEERING AT GOOD NEWS CLINICS, IN THEIR CHURCHES ON MISSION TRIPS AND FOR COMMUNITY AGENCIES SUCH AS THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING MCF'S EMPLOYEE GIVING CLUB, W.A.T.C.H. (WE ARE TARGETING COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE), OVER 2,700 EMPLOYEES DONATED MORE THAN $418,000 IN FY14. RELAY FOR LIFE, AMERICAN HEART WALK, MARCH FOR BABIES: NGMC EMPLOYEES ALSO TURNED OUT IN FULL FORCE FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS THE AMERICAN HEART WALK, MARCH OF DIMES' WALKAMERICA AND AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S RELAY FOR LIFE, AVERAGING PARTICIPATION OF 200 EMPLOYEES PER EVENT. BLOOD DRIVES: NGMC EMPLOYEES DONATED OVER 550 UNITS OF BLOOD IN FY14. EMPLOYEES LEAD THE WAY: UNITED WAY PACESETTER & MORE NGHS EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTED OVER $135,000 TO UNITED WAY AS A PACESETTER COMPANY. TWO NGMC EMPLOYEES SERVE ON THE UNITED WAY BOARD. SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS: IN FY14, NGMC SPONSORED OR MADE A DONATION TO 29 COMMUNITY AGENCIES SERVING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS, RANGING FROM SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY TO TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION. SPONSORSHIPS/DONATIONS TOTALED OVER $55,000 IN FY14. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION: | TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: NGMC CONTINUES THE ACTIVITIES BELOW TO SERVE AS A "PIPELINE" TO HELP GET MORE QUALIFIED PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HEALTHCARE POSITIONS OR GET THEM THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION THEY NEED: -ALLIED STUDENT HEALTH EDUCATION CLINICAL ROTATIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR ALLIED HEALTH STUDENTS FROM AREA SCHOOLS AT NGMC - COMMUNITY BASED VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTION - NGMC IS A TRAINING SITE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. STUDENTS WORK APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES PER WEEK FOR A FEW HOURS WITH AN INSTRUCTOR FROM THE SCHOOL AND WORK IN MATERIALS MANAGEMENT, NUTRITIONAL SERVICES, PHARMACY AND LINEN DISTRIBUTION. THEY GAIN KNOWLEDGE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM BY LEARNING DIFFERENT SKILLS AND ARE ABLE TO GET JOBS WHEN THEY GRADUATE. IN FY14, 21 STUDENTS AND FOUR INSTRUCTORS PARTICIPATED. - CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR PHYSICIANS AND ALLIED HEALTH PERSONNEL WITHIN NGMC AND ALSO OFFERED OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION. IN FY14, THERE WERE 142 LIVE CMES PROVIDED TO 2,110 PHYSICIANS AND 5,300 ALLIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. - JOB SHADOWING - THIS PROGRAM IS COORDINATED VIA THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ALLOWS HIGH SCHOOL AND POST SECONDARY STUDENTS FROM AREA SCHOOLS TO SHADOW PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE STAFF FOR THE PURPOSE OF BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS HEALTHCARE ROLES. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO FOSTER STUDENT INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE FIELDS AND ENCOURAGE ENROLLMENT IN PROGRAMS OF STUDY THAT WOULD TRAIN AND EDUCATE FUTURE HEALTHCARE WORKERS. THIS IS AN OBSERVATIONAL PROGRAM REQUIRING A STAFF MENTOR. IN FY14, 103 JOB SHADOWS WERE PLACED. - SUPPORT OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING PROGRAM AT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA: NGMC PARTNERS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA TO PROVIDE IN-KIND SUPPORT FOR THE ASN (ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN NURSING) PROGRAM BY PROVIDING FUNDING FOR ONE FULL TIME FACULTY POSITION. - NURSE EXTERN PROGRAM: NGMC PROVIDES A 10-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM FOR RISING SENIOR NURSING STUDENTS TO WORK ON NURSING UNITS AS EMPLOYEES TO GAIN ADDITIONAL CLINICAL SKILLS AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. THE EXTERNS ARE ORIENTED AS A GROUP TO THE ORGANIZATION, THEN PLACED ON NURSING UNITS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE PROGRAM WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. ALL APPLICANTS ARE INTERVIEWED BY RECRUITERS AND NURSING MANAGERS PRIOR TO ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM. IN FY14, THERE WERE OVER 40 EXTERNS. - NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS - NURSING STUDENT EDUCATION- CLINICAL ROTATIONS AT NGMC IN FY14 TOTALED OVER 1,600. - PARTNERS IN EDUCATION: THE GAINESVILLE/HALL COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESSES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO PARTNER. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, THEY WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY. NGMC IS THE PARTNER IN EDUCATION FOR WEST HALL HIGH SCHOOL AND NORTH HALL MIDDLE SCHOOL. - PHARMACY RESIDENCY PROGRAM: THE PHARMACY RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT NGMC IS A ONE-YEAR POSTGRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR LICENSED PHARMACISTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT CLINICAL PHARMACY EXPERIENCE IN THE AREAS OF CRITICAL CARE, CARDIOLOGY, INTERNAL MEDICINE, EMERGENCY MEDICINE, ONCOLOGY AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH WITH A GOAL OF GRADUATING A PRACTITIONER WHO IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT A CLINICAL PHARMACY POSITION IN ANY NUMBER OF SETTINGS. RADIOLOGY TECH PROGRAM: NGMC PARTNERS WITH LANIER TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO HOUSE THE RADIOLOGY TECH PROGRAM AT THE LANIER PARK CAMPUS. FOUR FULL-TIME CLASSROOMS ARE PROVIDED. - SUPPORT TO FOOTHILLS AHEC: FOOTHILLS AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER IS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN, NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL AND LOCAL SOURCES. THE MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS. THROUGH JOINT EFFORTS, COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCE IMPROVED SUPPLY, DISTRIBUTION AND RETENTION OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. FOOTHILLS AHEC SERVES 31 COUNTIES IN THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA AREA. NGMC PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THIS PROGRAM THROUGH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGES, PHONE, UTILITIES AND CLEANING SERVICE EXPENSES. - YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP HALL COUNTY STUDENTS FROM SEVEN AREA HIGH SCHOOLS APPLY FOR UNPAID YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. IN FY14, 30 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED. NGMC PROVIDES HEALTH INFORMATION & SUPPORT: CANCER INFORMATION LINE: NGMC OPERATES A CANCER INFORMATION LINE 1(800) 466-5416. THIS IS A FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA COMMUNITIES THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO CANCER PATIENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. NURSELINE: NGMC PROVIDES THE NURSELINE, A FREE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC THAT PROVIDES TELEPHONE TRIAGE BY A REGISTERED NURSE AND HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES. THIS SERVICE INCREASES THE HALL COUNTY COMMUNITY'S ACCESS TO MEDICAL INFORMATION; PROVIDES STANDARDIZED MEDICAL INFORMATION INSTEAD OF JUST "NURSING JUDGMENTS"; AND HELPS OFF-LOAD PHYSICIAN OFFICE MEDICAL INFORMATION CALLS, ALLOWING THEM MORE TIME TO CARE FOR PATIENTS. THE FRASER RESOURCE CENTER AND HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY AT NGMC: SERVES THE HEALTH INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE LIBRARY IS LOCATED ON THE MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS IN GAINESVILLE. CONSUMERS, PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO CREDIBLE RESOURCES RELATING TO MEDICAL SYMPTOMS, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS BOTH AT THE LIBRARY AND ALSO VIA LINKS ON NGMC'S WEBSITE (WWW.NGHS.COM/LIBRARY). THE RESOURCE CENTER ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES AND BECOME ACTIVE, INFORMED PARTNERS IN THEIR HEALTH CARE. CLERGY SEMINARS & ACCREDITATION BY ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION: NGMC HELD TWO CLERGY SEMINARS IN FY14, TWO UNITS OF CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION AND SIX LUNCH AND LEARN MEETINGS FOR VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINS. THE SEMINARS WERE ON THE TOPICS OF END-OF-LIFE ISSUES AND CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT. NEARLY 90 CLERGY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS NORTH GEORGIA PARTICIPATED IN THESE EVENTS. NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER IS HOME TO A CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION CENTER, WHICH IS FOCUSED ON OFFERING OUR AREA CLERGY PRACTICAL THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN A CLINICAL SETTING THROUGH THE CPE MODEL. OUR CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION, INC. (ACPE). HOSPICE BEREAVEMENT CAMP AND SUPPORT GROUPS: CAMP BRAVEHEART: NGMC PROVIDES A DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH OF A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. THIS CAMP IS FREE AND AVAILABLE TO ANY YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT DEATH. FACILITATED BY A TEAM OF LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS, THERAPISTS AND TRAINED VOLUNTEERS, CAMP BRAVEHEART IS A STRUCTURED, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHICH PROVIDES CAMPERS WITH VOCABULARY TO TALK ABOUT DEATH, LOSS AND INTENSE EMOTIONS; HEALTHY WAYS TO COPE WITH THOSE INTENSE EMOTIONS; OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT AND REMEMBER THEIR LOVED ONES; A SAFE PLACE TO TALK ABOUT CHANGES, FEARS AND FRUSTRATIONS; AND THE CHANCE TO INTERACT WITH OTHER CHILDREN/TEENS WITH SIMILAR LOSSES. SCHOOL BASED BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS: BRAVEHEART COUNSELORS GUIDE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS AT AREA SCHOOLS. COUNSELORS UNDERSTAND CHILDREN'S NATURAL RESILIENCY AND CAN HELP THEM NAVIGATE THEIR FEELINGS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. STEMI CONFERENCE: HOSTED EACH YEAR BY NGMC, THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA REGIONAL STEMI CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER PARAMEDICS, EMS STAFF AND DOCTORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE. THEY MEET TO DISCUSS THE STATE OF THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA REGIONAL STEMI SYSTEM A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER AND EMS IN 15 COUNTIES ACROSS THE REGION TO PROVIDE FAST AND EFFICIENT TREATMENT TO PATIENTS SUFFERING SEVERE HEART ATTACKS KNOWN AS STEMI (S-T SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION). KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE THE NATION'S LEADING CARDIOLOGISTS AND EXPERTS IN THE STUDY OF REGIONAL APPROACHES TO HEART ATTACK CARE. THE STEMI PROGRAM BENEFITS ALL PATIENTS, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. MENDED HEARTS: MENDED HEARTS, INC., IS A NATIONWIDE SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEART DISEASE, INCLUDING PERSONS RECOVERING FROM HEART ATTACKS, ANGIOPLASTY OR OPEN HEART SURGERY. MENDED HEARTS VOLUNTEERS VISIT CARDIAC PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERIES AND HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS, OFFER HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND SHARE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. IN FY14, MENDED HEARTS VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 5,455 PATIENT VISITS. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION: | IN KEEPING WITH GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORTING, NGMC DID NOT INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE DATA ON THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS/PROJECTS, BUT THEY DO MEET HEALTH NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED VIA THE 2013 (THE MOST RECENT) COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND WARRANT INCLUSION IN THIS SUMMARY: PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL NEIGHBORHOOD: NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM (NGHS) HAS BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF 15 COMMUNITIES IN THE NATION TO ESTABLISH A PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL NEIGHBORHOOD (PCMN) AS PART OF A CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID (CMS) INNOVATION CHALLENGE GRANT. THE PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL NEIGHBORHOOD (PCMN) BUILDS ON THE CONCEPT OF A PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOME (PCMH) BY CONNECTING ACUTE-CARE HOSPITALS, SPECIALTY AND SUB-SPECIALTY PRACTICES AND OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES WITH PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS IN ORDER TO DRIVE HIGHER-QUALITY, PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE CARE AND ENSURE A POSITIVE PATIENT EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST STEP IN THIS THREE-YEAR PROJECT IS TO BUILD STRONG MEDICAL HOME PRACTICES. PARTNERING WITH NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP (NGPG) AND OTHER COMMUNITY PRACTICES, THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MORE INDIVIDUALIZED CARE TO PATIENTS. A MEDICAL HOME IS A CONCEPT OF CARE NOT A BUILDING, A HOUSE OR A HOSPITAL. THE GOAL OF THE MEDICAL HOME MODEL IS TO BETTER COORDINATE CARE THROUGH PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES WITH HOSPITALS, MEDICAL SPECIALTIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT A MORE FULLY-INTEGRATED APPROACH TO CARE. BEING CARED FOR IN A PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL HOME MEANS NGMC'S HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WILL WORK WITH PATIENTS TO HELP UNDERSTAND THEIR TOTAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS AND CONNECT THEM WITH COMMUNITY AND OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP MEET THEIR INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS. A PARTNERSHIP IS DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE PATIENT, THE PERSONAL PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM, AND THERE IS A KEY FOCUS ON ENCOURAGING PATIENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CARE. DISEASE CARE MANAGERS: NGMC EMPLOYS FOUR DISEASE CARE MANAGERS TO FOCUS ON THE CORE MEASURES IDENTIFIED BY CMS, WHICH ARE PNEUMONIA AND SEPSIS, HEART FAILURE, STROKE AND ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. CMS BEGAN FOCUSING ON THESE DISORDERS TO IMPROVE CARE AND REDUCE COSTS, THEREFORE THESE PROFESSIONALS MANAGE CARE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES. DISEASE MANAGERS PROVIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND SOME DISEASE MANAGERS PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION AT GOOD NEWS CLINICS (THE INDIGENT CLINIC). OTHER COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROVIDED BY DISEASE MANAGERS INCLUDES CHURCH/CIVIC/SENIOR GROUPS, HEALTH FAIRS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS. SANE PROGRAM: NGMC PROVIDES A SANE PROGRAM (SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER) PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES NURSES SPECIAL TRAINING IN RAPE CRISIS, TRIAL TIME WITH A DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND TRAINING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND A PEDIATRICIAN'S OFFICE. NGMC EMPLOYS NURSES WHO HAVE SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO COMPLETE THE SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAM AND PROVIDE SPECIALIZED CARE FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT A REQUIREMENT OF HOSPITALS AND IS ALSO NOT PROVIDED AT ALL HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. LIFELINE: NGMC HAS A LIFELINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE TO CONTINUE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES WITH THE SECURITY OF KNOWING THEY CAN QUICKLY ACCESS HELP IF THEY NEED IT. BY PRESSING A LIGHTWEIGHT, WATERPROOF ALERT BUTTON WORN AROUND THE NECK OR WRIST, SUBSCRIBERS CAN SIGNAL LIFELINE MONITORS WHO DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF HELP IS NEEDED AND CALL FOR IT IMMEDIATELY. IN FY14, NGMC HAD 264 SUBSCRIBERS. NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP (NGPG) WAS RECOGNIZED WITH A STAGE 7 AMBULATORY AWARD, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EMR (ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD) ADOPTION AND WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED FOR ITS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORD ENVIRONMENT. NGMC IS THE SIXTH SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY TO RECEIVE THE HONOR, WHICH PUTS US IN THE TOP 1.2 PERCENT. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUATION: | ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM (NGHS) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA. THROUGH THE SERVICES OF A MEDICAL STAFF OF MORE THAN 500 PHYSICIANS, THE RESIDENTS OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA HAVE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SERVICES. THE HEALTH SYSTEM OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGH ITS HOSPITAL IN GAINESVILLE, NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER (NGMC), WHICH, FOR 2014, IS RATED AS GEORGIA'S #1 HOSPITAL (ACCORDING TO CARECHEX) AND AMONG ONLY TWENTY LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITALS NAMED TO TRUVEN HEALTHCARE'S LIST OF THE NATION'S 100 TOP HOSPITALS. CARECHEX ALSO RECOGNIZES NGMC AS: - GEORGIA'S #1 SURGERY HOSPITAL - GEORGIA'S #1 HEART HOSPITAL - GEORGIA'S #1 WOMEN'S HOSPITAL - GEORGIA'S #1 PULMONARY HOSPITAL - GEORGIA'S #1 NEUROLOGY HOSPITAL FOR PATIENT SAFETY - #6 IN THE NATION FOR MEDICAL CARE - OTHER FACILITIES THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA SERVE TO EXTEND NGHS' REACH INTO THE REGION INCLUDING: - MEDICAL PLAZA 400, A MULTISPECIALTY MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING IN DAWSONVILLE - A MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER - A SATELLITE CANCER TREATMENT CENTER - IN-HOME SERVICES SUCH AS HOSPICE AND LIFELINE, A PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM - LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS - OUTPATIENT IMAGING CENTERS - OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION CENTERS OFFERING PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY - URGENT CARE CENTERS LED BY VOLUNTEER BOARDS MADE UP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, THE 557-INPATIENT, 261-SKILLED NURSING BED HEALTH SYSTEM SERVES ALMOST 800,000 PEOPLE IN MORE THAN 13 COUNTIES ACROSS NORTHEAST GEORGIA. AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH SYSTEM, ALL REVENUE GENERATED ABOVE OPERATING EXPENSES IS RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH IMPROVED SERVICES AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER'S CHARITY CARE POLICY SUPPORTS THE PROVISION OF CARE FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. NGHS IS BUILDING A NEW CAMPUS IN THE GREATER BRASELTON AREA. THIS 119-ACRE HEALTHCARE VILLAGE ALREADY INCLUDES A MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING (MEDICAL PLAZA 1) THAT HOUSES NUMEROUS PHYSICIAN SPECIALTIES, AN URGENT CARE CENTER AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES INCLUDING IMAGING, LAB AND PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. A 100-BED HOSPITAL, NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER BRASELTON, IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN EARLY 2015. ECONOMIC IMPACT SURPASSES $1 BILLION IN 2012, THE LATEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE, NGMC GENERATED $1,104,610,897 IN REVENUE FOR THE LOCAL AND STATE ECONOMY ACCORDING TO THE GEORGIA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, THE STATE'S LARGEST HOSPITAL TRADE ASSOCIATION. SPECIAL NOTES: NGMC USES THE PRECEPTS OUTLINED IN "A GUIDE FOR PLANNING AND REPORTING COMMUNITY BENEFIT," PROVIDED BY THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND VHA, INC. THE GUIDE'S PURPOSE IS TO HELP NOT-FOR-PROFIT MISSION-DRIVEN HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS DEVELOP, ENHANCE AND REPORT ON THEIR COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY BENEFIT DEFINITION: PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY MUST ADDRESS A DEMONSTRATED COMMUNITY NEED, AND SEEK TO ADDRESS AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY BENEFIT OBJECTIVES: - IMPROVE ACCESS - ENHANCE POPULATION HEALTH - ADVANCE GENERALIZABLE KNOWLEDGE - RELIEVE GOVERNMENT BURDEN TO IMPROVE HEALTH THE PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY MUST: - PRIMARILY BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN THE ORGANIZATION - RESULT IN MEASURABLE EXPENSE TO THE ORGANIZATION IF THE PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY IS PROVIDED PRIMARILY FOR MARKETING PURPOSES, STANDARD PRACTICE, EXPECTED OF ALL HOSPITALS (SUCH AS ACTIVITIES REQUIRED FOR ACCREDITATION, LICENSURE, OR TO PARTICIPATE IN MEDICARE) OR IS PRIMARILY FOR EMPLOYEES (NOT INCLUDING INTERNS, RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS) AND/OR AFFILIATED PHYSICIANS, IT IS NOT COMMUNITY BENEFIT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT CHRISTY MOORE, MANAGER, COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, AT (770) 219-8097 OR GO TO WWW.NGHS.COM. |
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