ATLANTA - The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented its prestigious Quality and Patient Safety Award to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for its project that reduced the incidence of patient falls. The project, titled "Heading toward Zero: Falls Reduction – A Patient Safety Program" tied for first place in the Hospitals with Greater than 300 Beds category. These annual awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

Because patient falls can lead to injuries, a performance improvement team was formed at the hospital. The team created a fall "bundle," which included signage in patient rooms; having at-risk patients wear special socks and arm bands; patient education on fall prevention; and hourly rounding for patient needs and assistance. The performance improvement team reinforced the education and monitored compliance with the program.

As a result of the education, the tools provided, and the enhanced awareness, the recorded rate of falls decreased by over 75 percent during the first quarter of 2014.

"Patient falls can cause injuries that can complicate recovery and lead to longer hospital stays," said Georgia Hospital Association Chief Medical Officer Doug Patten, M.D. "We applaud Grady for taking steps to reduce falls and for its efforts in providing the best and safest care possible to its patients."

About PHA

The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA), an affiliate of GHA, was established in January 2000 to improve patient care and patient safety in hospitals and other health care facilities and create healthy communities.

About GHA

Established in 1929, GHA is the state's largest trade organization of hospitals and health systems providing education, research and risk management services to its more than 170 hospital and health system members. Additionally, it represents and advocates health policy issues benefiting Georgia's citizens before the state legislature and U.S. Congress as well as before regulatory bodies.

About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady has the premier level I trauma center in the Metro Atlanta region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Burn Center is one of only two in the state. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Other key services include Georgia's first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Breast Health Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country. Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center and the Rape Crisis Center are also notable components of the health system. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady as well.

In 2014 Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine again named Grady one of the country's Most Wired health systems. Grady's Heart Failure Clinic received the 2013 Gage Award for Improving Quality from America's Essential Hospitals.