Northwest Medical Center Spine Program and Total Joint Program Awarded joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
Tucson, AZ (April 24, 2012)— Northwest Medical Center’s (NMC) Total Joint and Spine Programs have each earned The Joint Commission’s Disease Specific Care Certification (DSC) and Gold Seal of Approval™ by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes Northwest’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
The Gold Seal designation for Northwest’s Spine program is the most recent of several national recognitions the hospital has earned. The Spine DSC is for surgical procedures which include discectomy, laminectomy and fusions. Neurosurgeon Richard Chua, M.D., NMC’s Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery says, “The recent Joint Commission certification of our Spine Surgery Program at Northwest Medical Center is an affirmation of the highest quality of care for patients who require surgery of the spine. From my perspective as a surgeon, it means my patients are treated using the latest outcomes-based treatment protocols, which have been shown to reduce complications related to spine surgery. My patients have enjoyed and praised the patient educational tools the program uses to prepare them for the surgical experience. With the advent of newer and more minimally invasive techniques, some patients can expect to have even better results from spine surgery. I am proud to be associated with the only Joint Commission Gold Seal approved Spine Surgery Program in Arizona.”
NMC’s Total Joint Program--originally awarded the Gold Seal in 2010 for Total Hip Arthroplasty and Total Knee Arthroplasty was recertified during the recent onsite evaluation by a Joint Commission surveyor. According to John Maltry, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon and Medical Director for the Total Joint Program, “The recertification for another two years by Joint Commission and once again achieving Disease Specific Care Certification, brings to the table ‘best practices’ and cutting edge guidelines for improving all facets of patient care – from the surgeon’s office to pre-procedural processes, into the operating room, the inpatient nursing unit, and then discharge to home. Our program--and this certification--is an assurance to the Tucson community of NMC’s comprehensive, patient-centered program and quality outcomes. For almost three years now we continue to be the only hospital in Arizona that has achieved this status.”
NMC underwent the rigorous on-site survey April 17th and 18th. A Joint Commission surveyor evaluated NMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
At Northwest Medical Center, we strive to offer the highest level of care. By voluntarily seeking these comprehensive, independent evaluations, our commitment is to further enhance the safety and quality of care we provide to the patients who receive hip and knee replacements and spinal surgery here at Northwest Medical Center,” said Kevin Stockton, Northwest Medical Center CEO.
Preparing patients for their surgery and what to expect during their recovery is an important component of the programs. The Total Joint & Spine Center employs a dedicated nurse coordinator to provide comprehensive patient education to fully prepare patients for their surgery and what they need to do to maximize their recovery.
Patients are encouraged to learn more by attending our free Joint and Spine Seminars. Information about dates and times is located on our website at www.NorthwestMedicalCenter.com.
About The Joint Commission
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.