Day Kimball Hospital and Day Kimball HomeCare Earn “Gold Seal of Approval®” from The Joint Commission

Day Kimball Hospital and Day Kimball HomeCare, operating divisions of the Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) integrated system, have earned The Joint Commission’s “Gold Seal of Approval®” for accreditation, today announced Robert Smanik, FACHE, DKH president & CEO.

“The Joint Commission is the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America,” explained Smanik. “We’re very proud to have earned this recognition, which is the result of the daily commitment of our physicians, providers and staff, working together to provide top quality care.”

Smanik explained that every aspect of Day Kimball Hospital and Day Kimball HomeCare underwent rigorous, unannounced, on-site surveys during May 19-23 of 2014. The evaluation focuses on “…compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management,” according to The Joint Commission.

“As one surveyor from The Joint Commission reported: ‘This is not the result of one, but from a team effort,’” said John Graham, MD, DKH vice president for medical affairs and quality/chief medical officer. “Whether it’s providing inpatient care, ambulatory services, behavioral health, or traveling to the homes of those in need, Day Kimball operates under a universal set of high standards, which is maintained at all levels of our organization. The Gold Seal of Approval® applies to every aspect of our organization and reflects a systemic commitment – right up to our board of directors – to high quality care. We’re humbled and encouraged by this designation.”

Dr. Graham concluded that the following surveyor comment perhaps best sums up the meaning of this accomplishment for DKH: “You clearly care very deeply about our patients.”

Following the on-site survey, The Joint Commission continues to monitor select data with 45-day and 60-day review. During that process, the official accreditation is presented and was received by Day Kimball on August 19, 2014. It is valid for a three-year period with DKH’s next survey expected between April and June of 2017. Day Kimball has also received from The Joint Commission: Top Performer on Key Quality Measures in heart attack, pneumonia and surgical care; advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center; and certification for knee and hip joint replacement program.

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 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also certifies more than 2,400 disease-specific care programs such as stroke, heart failure, joint replacement and stroke rehabilitation, and 400 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.