Northside receives 2 key certifications

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

ValleyCare Northside Medical Center has received certifications from the Joint Commission in these areas: renewed advanced certification in primary stroke care, thereby maintaining Joint Commission primary stroke center status; and recertification for total hip-replacement and total knee-replacement procedures.

These disease-specific certifications were earned by demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission’s nationally developed clinical standards in both health-care quality and safety, Northside officials said.

The Joint Commission, formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that accredits more than 19,000 health-care organizations and programs in this country. Findings are made available to the public in an accreditation quality report on the Quality Check website.

Northside underwent three on-site surveys Tuesday during which a team of Joint Commission surveyors evaluated three clinical programs 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, which is a voluntary process, Northside has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients needing stroke care or knee or hip replacements,” said Jean Range, executive director of Disease-Specific Care Certification for the commission.