TEMPLE, Texas (February 14, 2012) The Scott & White Heart & Vascular Institute in Temple has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ as a hospital performing Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) as a destination therapy. Destination therapy is permanent support for end stage heart failure by means of an implantable artificial heart device. Approval means the program demonstrated compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification recognizes Scott & White Heart & Vascular Institute's dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards.
Scott & White underwent a rigorous on-site survey by a team of Joint Commission surveyors who evaluated Scott & White's Heart & Vascular Institute's VAD Program for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
"In achieving Joint Commission certification, Scott & White's VAD Destination Therapy Program has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for patients with advanced heart failure," says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. "Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Scott & White for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the Central Texas communities it serves."
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. Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org. For more information on the certification, please visit http://www.jointcommission.org/certification/ventricular_assist_device.aspx