Northeast Georgia Medical Centers in Gainesville and Lumpkin have become the first hospitals in the state to earn PACED accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
The Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department (PACED) accreditation spotlights emergency departments with a comprehensive program that provides care for those struggling with pain or addiction. The program utilizes progressive treatments, protocols, training methods and resources, according to NGMC contact Emily Kerns.
The primary goal of the accreditation aims to showcase improvements in pain management and recognize “prompt, safe and effective pain management” for patients who may be addicted to pain medications.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition,” Executive Director of Trauma and Emergency Services Angela Gary said. “Our entire team is dedicated to providing extraordinary care for patients in pain and those seeking addiction support in the emergency department. It is an honor to be one of the few emergency departments in the nation with this distinction.”
NGMC Gainesville reached Gold Level PACED accreditation, while NGMC Lumpkin achieved the Silver Level. Requirements for the accreditation levels include leadership collaboration, opioid stewardship guidelines, non-opioid pharmacologic medication guidelines and quality assurance protocols, among others.
Achieving PACED accreditation allows hospitals to provide effective treatment of pain and addiction and improve patient outcomes. It also is said to assist patients and their families in the decision-making process about where to seek specific pain management-related treatments.
PACED accreditation has also been shown to reduce emergency department visits and readmissions, according to ACEP officials.
Over 180,000 patients are cared for at NGMC yearly, with ER locations in Winder, Braselton, Gainesville and Dahlonega.
NGMC opened its doors in 1951 and boasts a total of over 750 beds and more than 1,200 medical staff that represent over 60 different specialties. NGMC is a part of the Northeast Georgia Health System umbrella, which cares for over one million people across 19 counties.
