Hartford Hospital Awarded Advanced Certification in Ventricular Assist Device Destination Therapy from the Joint Commission
March 10, 2014
Hartford, CT - Hartford Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its ventricular assist device destination therapy program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes Hartford Hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
Hartford Hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review in from October 21-22, 2013. An expert Joint Commission reviewer evaluated Hartford Hospital for compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as ventricular assist device destination therapy-specific standards, clinical practice guidelines and performance measures.
"In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Hartford Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its ventricular assist device patients,” 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 Hartford Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves."
"With our second consecutive Joint Commission advanced certification, we are demonstrating our continued multidisciplinary investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the entire patient care team. The Joint Commission provides us a framework to take our program to the next level and reinforces our commitment to a culture of excellence,” says Jason Gluck, Medical Director of the VAD program.
The Joint Commission's Advanced Certification in Ventricular Assist Device Destination Therapy, developed in response to Medicare requirements, provides standards for hospitals related to:
• Staffing and facility infrastructure to support ventricular assist device placements;
• Participation in a national, audited registry for patients who have received mechanically assisted circulatory support devices; and
• Volume requirements for board certified cardiac surgeons who place ventricular assist devices.
About The Joint Commission
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.
About Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital, founded in 1854, is one of the largest teaching hospitals and tertiary care centers in New England with one of the region's busiest surgery practices. It is annually ranked among America's Best Hospitals by US News & World Report and has been recognized nationally for the quality of many of its programs, including cardiology, cancer, stroke and joint and spine care. The 867-bed regional referral center provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. Among its divisions is The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence. Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility, is also a special division of Hartford Hospital. The hospital’s major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women’s health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state’s only air ambulance system, LIFE STAR.