Committing to Exceptional Pediatric Care at Coffee Regional

Reaching Key Milestones in Pediatric Emergency Care

The Coffee Regional Medical Center Emergency Department's commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care was celebrated during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Georgia rural hospitals face unique challenges in treating and keeping pediatric patients in their communities. However, KidsABC is focused on improving access to quality pediatric care.

Vicki Lewis, president and CEO of Coffee Regional, shared the hospital's mission of providing exceptional care close to home. The KidsABC collaborative has provided education, training, equipment, and access to pediatric care protocols and practices, helping the team meet their mission and care for the youngest and most vulnerable members of the community.

Acquiring Child-Friendly Equipment and Training

KidsABC helps participating hospitals like Coffee Regional acquire child-friendly equipment, complete pediatric-specific emergency care staff training, and implement the latest protocols and policies for treating children with critical conditions such as asthma and diabetic ketoacidosis.

For example, the apnea monitors funded by KidsABC have allowed Coffee Regional to keep pediatric patients requiring close respiratory monitoring at the hospital. Transferring pediatric patients to another city for monitoring is difficult and stressful for both the patients and their families. Staying close to home for care is crucial, and Coffee Regional is proud to be part of KidsABC.

Commemorating Participation and Milestones

Coffee Regional commemorated its KidsABC participation and completion of milestones with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the Douglas-Coffee Chamber of Commerce. Representatives from the hospital, Children's, Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), and the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) attended the event.

MUSM Dean Jean R. Sumner, M.D., FACP, emphasized the importance of the ED staff's dedication to pediatric care. Through emergency care training and expanding their skills, they offer outstanding care for children. Coffee Regional Medical Center has set a high bar for pediatric care and is making a difference in children's lives.

The Impact of KidsABC on Rural Communities

KidsABC brings together a network of rural hospital emergency departments, pediatric offices, regional and state pediatric tertiary care hospitals, and school systems to address the challenge of healthcare access in rural areas. Participants are equipped with the necessary tools, protocols, training, and education to ensure families have access to subspecialty care, mental health care, and emergency medical care in their hometowns.

Programs within KidsABC address the challenges of distance to specialty care and limited resources. Early intervention is emphasized for achieving positive outcomes, and Children's provides specialized pediatric clinical guidance to launch and sustain these programs.

For more information, visit the following links: KidsABC Initiatives: https://den.mercer.edu/school-of-medicine-announces-community-partners-in-rural-pediatric-health-care-initiative/; KidsABC Rural Hospital Emergency Department Collaborative Expansion: https://den.mercer.edu/musm-and-grhic-expand-major-rural-pediatric-health-care-initiative-to-newly-selected-hospitals/

About Mercer University School of Medicine: Established in 1982, it educates physicians and health professionals to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved areas. More than 60 percent of graduates practice in Georgia, and 80 percent are in rural or underserved areas. Students benefit from a problem-based medical education program with early patient care experiences. The School has additional campuses in Savannah (2008) and Columbus (2021), and a clinical campus in Valdosta (2024).

About Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center: Established in 2018 with special funds, it is tasked with confronting health care challenges in rural communities. Mercer University School of Medicine was awarded the grant in 2019 and established the center on its Macon campus. It serves as a critical resource for rural communities, offering research, collaboration, and training opportunities.

About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta: As the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, it is a trusted leader in caring for kids. With more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top professionals, and leading research and technology, it manages over 1.1 million patient visits annually. Consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals, it has impacted children's lives for over 100 years.

About Coffee Regional Medical Center: A non-profit, acute care 98-bed hospital in Douglas, Georgia. The current facility opened in 1998, replacing the 1953 building. With 200,000 square feet, it has inpatient and outpatient service areas. The medical staff includes various specialties, and it has become an integral part of the community and a major contributor to the local economy. To learn more, visit www.coffeeregional.org/.