CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Certification, making it the only hospital to receive that honor across Central and Southwest Arkansas. The Gold Seal reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing safe, compassionate and quality patient care.

“Our patients deserve not only the very best in care, but the best opportunity to enjoy their quality of life despite knee, hip or other joint issues,” said CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs President Dr. Douglas Ross. “This recognition from The Joint Commission offers further affirmation that our orthopedic team is here to help them live a full and mobile life.”

The certification, in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, focuses on the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation to the intraoperative, hospitalization admission, rehabilitation activities and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

“Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend CHI St. Vincent for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for orthopedic patients.”

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs underwent a rigorous review during which a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted specific patient observations and interviews.