ST. LOUIS – The SSM Joint Replacement Center (JRC) at DePaul Health Center has once again been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval™ by the Joint Commission.
This marks the second time SSM Joint Replacement Center at DePaul Health Center has achieved this Disease-Specific Care Certification for knee and hip replacement. In 2009, SSM DePaul became the first Missouri hospital to achieve category of certification.
To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.
SSM DePaul’s recent evaluation noted that the hospital was committed to staff education, seeking patient feedback and achieving ongoing quality improvement.
“This certification means SSM DePaul does the right things and does them well for knee and hip replacement patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.
“SSM DePaul voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to demonstrate the safety and quality of care we provide,” says Lisle Wescott, Director of Business Development, SSM Health Care – St. Louis. “We’re proud to once again achieve this distinction.”
The Joint Commission launched its Disease-Specific Care Certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.
About the SSM Joint Replacement Center at DePaul Health Center
The SSM Joint Replacement Center (JRC) performs more primary knee replacements than any other hospital in the St. Louis region. Evidence has shown that this level of experience and expertise leads to better patient outcomes. Located on the campus of SSM DePaul Health Center, the JRC also offers patients a first-class experience with hotel-style amenities. Features include all private rooms (with sleeper for overnight guests), nurses and therapists who specialize in joint care, an aggressive rehab program, on-going education to aid in your recovery and a nurse manager who coordinates every part of your stay. That’s why our patient satisfaction scores consistently rank in the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation!
About SSM DePaul Health Center
SSM DePaul Health Center is a 478-bed, full-service hospital and a member of SSM Health Care-St. Louis located at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 270 in North St. Louis County. Founded in 1828, DePaul was the first hospital west of the Mississippi River and remains the oldest continuously existing business in St. Louis. Today DePaul is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, operates the only Level II Trauma Center in its service region and offers the most advanced technology and procedures available including minimally invasive heart, spine, knee, hip and weight loss surgery. DePaul also operates the most comprehensive robotic surgical program in the region and is two-time recipient of the Missouri Quality Award and a Premier QUEST High Performing Hospital. To learn more, visit www.ssmdepaul.com.
About the Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more then 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, the Joint Commission provides certification of 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.
For media inquires only, contact:
Rachel Peine
Communications Specialist
SSM DePaul Health Center
314-344-6691 (office - Wed./Thurs.)
314-908-0463 (pager)
rachel_c_peine@ssmhc.com