BIDDEFORD — Southern Maine Health Care has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Joint Replacement Hip and Joint Replacement Knee Certification.

The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

The Joint Commission visited SMHC in November and conducted a review. Commission experts  evaluated compliance with national disease-specific care standards as well as with Joint Replacement — Hip and Joint Replacement — Knee specific requirements. Clinical practice guidelines and performance measures were also assessed.

Established in 2002 and awarded for a two-year period, The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification evaluates clinical programs across the continuum of care and addresses three core areas:

•  Compliance with consensus-based national standards;

•  Effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and

•  An organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

“Southern Maine Health Care has thoroughly demonstrated a high level of care for patients with Joint Replacement — Hip and Joint Replacement — Knee procedures,” said Patrick Phelan, executive director, Hospital Business Development, The Joint Commission. “We commend Southern Maine Health Care for becoming a leader in hip and knee replacement care, potentially providing a higher standard of service for hip and knee replacement patients in its community.”

“Southern Maine Health Care is pleased to receive Disease-Specific Care Certification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” said Ed McGeachey, SMHC president and CEO. “The certification provides us with the framework to create a culture of excellence for those in our community.”

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