Accreditation attests to excellence in care
The positive survey results reflect high levels of care, quality and safety, City of Hope leaders said.
“Our patients and their families benefit from that unwavering excellence,” said Alexandra M. Levine, M.D., chief medical officer.
The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies health-care organizations and programs. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
Joint Commission standards address an organization’s level of performance in key areas such as patient rights, patient treatment and infection control. Standards focus not simply on an organization’s ability to provide safe, high-quality care, but on its actual performance as well.
Surveyors applauded City of Hope during the visit, telling leaders, “We go all around the country, see many facilities, and yours is truly excellent,” and “Your staff did an excellent job.” The inspector who performed a safety portion of the survey reported that City of Hope’s result was one of the best he had seen in more than five years.
Accreditation by the Joint Commission requires ongoing preparation, and many people participated in mock drills and exercises to improve performance throughout the year. “We are pleased with our survey outcome,” Levine said, “but we come to work every day knowing that we always must meet the highest standards of patient care.”