New Rounding Policy Proving Successful

Both patients and physicians in Cherokee County are reaping the benefit of a new process at Cherokee Medical Center that has emergency room physicians checking in on patients who have been admitted to the hospital.

“We recently expanded the service provided by our emergency room doctors by having them round on patients who require admission,” said David Early, Vice President of Support Services and Operations at Floyd Medical Center and Administrator at Cherokee Medical Center. “By doing this, we feel like we’re providing an easier transition for our patients, as well as consistent care.”

The shift was made with the full support of area physicians, who have traditionally rounded on patients at Cherokee Medical Center.

“We feel like this has been a very positive move for patients in our community who require treatment at the hospital,” said Dr. Brian Perry, physician with Perry Medical Clinic. “These patients are receiving excellent care from physicians who are immediately available because they’re literally right down the hall.”

Dr. Perry also indicated that, by not being required to round on patients at the hospital, primary care physicians in Cherokee County are able to do what they feel they are called to do.

“Our goal is to help our patients manage their health in such a way that they can avoid unnecessary hospital visits,” Dr. Perry said. “By concentrating specifically on that goal, we feel like we can provide the highest quality of care for our patients.”

Early agreed.

“We are blessed with excellent physicians in this community,” he said. “By taking this burden off of them, we believe we are truly offering our patients the best of both worlds.”

ApolloMD has been providing emergency room care at Cherokee Medical Center since January. The physician group provides the same service at both Floyd Medical Center in Rome, GA and Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, GA.