Monday, October 4, 2010

Martin Memorial Earns Joint Commission Certification for Joint Replacement

The Martin Memorial Center for Joint Replacement has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality. In September, the Joint Commission awarded Martin Memorial disease-specific care certification for joint replacement of the knee and hip.

Martin Memorial is one of just nine hospitals in Florida to receive this certification and the only one on the Treasure Coast.

“We are fortunate to have a dynamic team of physicians, nurses, clinical and support staff that provides high quality care to our patients,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial Health Systems. “Our goal is to ensure patients receive the best possible care and the Joint Commission certification demonstrates our commitment to achieving that goal.”

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Martin Memorial does the right things and does them well for knee and hip replacement patients,” said Jean E. Range, executive director of disease-specific care certification for the Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission launched its disease-specific care certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs.

Approximately 400 patients each year visit the Martin Memorial Center for Joint Replacement. About 53 percent of patients have knee replacement surgery and 47 percent have hip replacement surgery. Surgeons at the center follow practice parameters developed and approved by Martin Memorial’s Orthopaedic Task Force. The task force develops these practices based on the latest research and best outcomes.

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