Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Habersham has received the prestigious Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association.
With this latest recognition, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) becomes the first healthcare system in Georgia to have five hospitals honored for excellence in emergency care.
The Lantern Award recognizes emergency departments that demonstrate exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. NGMC Habersham now joins NGMC Gainesville, Braselton, Barrow, and Lumpkin in receiving the award.
“This award means people across our region can rest easy knowing their local hospital provides outstanding emergency care,” said Walt Wiley, NGHS executive director for Emergency, Trauma, Observation, and EMS Services. “It also reflects the outstanding dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly every day to provide life-saving care in all the communities we serve.”
For those in need of emergency medical care, NGHS now offers a convenient online tool with estimated wait times at each of its hospitals.
“No one wants to be in an emergency, but if it happens, our goal is to make the experience as smooth and efficient as possible,” said Wiley. “By providing wait times online, we’re giving patients the information they need to make the best decision for their care.”
An NGHS spokesperson says the wait times are “estimations, as patients with life-threatening conditions are prioritized over those with less urgent needs.”
Actual wait times may vary depending on patient needs and the severity of the emergency.
