‘Gold Seal of Approval’ for PBMC joint replacement services

Peconic Bay Medical Center’s hip and knee joint replacement services have been re-certified by the largest health care standards-setting and accrediting body in the country.

The Joint Commission, which evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the U.S. gave PBMC’s hip and knee replacement services its Gold Seal of Approval. The certification demonstrates compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care.

The Riverhead hospital said in a press release it underwent a rigorous on-site recertification review on Oct. 16. A Joint Commission expert evaluated PBMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

To earn and maintain the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years.

“In achieving Joint Commission certification, Peconic Bay Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its joint replacement patients,” Joint Commission executive director for disease-specific care certification Jean Range said in the release. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Peconic Bay for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

“In establishing and sustaining Joint Commission certification, we have demonstrated that we are committed to making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down,” PBMC president and CEO Andrew Mitchell said.

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

In addition to accrediting hospitals and health care facilities, the Joint Commission certifies more than 2,400 disease-specific care programs such as stroke, heart failure, joint replacement and stroke rehabilitation. The Joint Commission is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951.