Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital – along with its accompanying clinics, laboratories and other services – earned a “Gold Seal of Approval” from the Joint Commission for quality and safety, according to an announcement from the hospital district.
The Joint Commission is a nonprofit that accredits and certifies more than 20,000 healthcare organizations nationwide, according to the group.
This latest accreditation comes weeks after Hazel Hawkins received word of a “C” grade in the annual Leapfrog safety survey conducted annually. That grade was a big improvement – and on par with the grade received by Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy – from the “F” received in 2012 when Hazel Hawkins declined to take part in surveying.
According to the hospital’s statement on the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval given to Hazel Hawkins:
Hazel Hawkins Hospital along with its clinics, laboratories, physical therapy services and their home health agency have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals.
The accreditation award recognizes the hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
Hazel Hawkins Hospital underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey Nov. 5 – 7. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated Hazel Hawkins Hospital for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
“In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Hazel Hawkins Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” says Mark G. Pelletier, R.N., M.S., chief operating officer, Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend Hazel Hawkins Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
“With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence,” says Ken Underwood, CEO. “Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”
The Joint Commission’s hospital standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of hospitals. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.
