Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Senior Hip Fracture Program Earns Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission

Cabell Huntington Hospital’s (CHH) Senior Hip Fracture Program has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

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

CHH has maintained this designation since 2015. CHH underwent a review by The Joint Commission, which evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management, supporting self-management, and delivering and facilitating clinical care. Virtual observations and interviews were also conducted.

“This certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Cabell Huntington Hospital for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for its patients.”

CHH’s Senior Hip Fracture Program was created in response to national data that shows more than half of patients receiving inpatient care for fractures, specifically hip fracture patients, are patients age 65 and older. The program focuses on providing rapid assessment and evaluation upon arrival; early post-operative mobilization and initiation of rehabilitation; specialized hip fracture nursing care plans to minimize pressure ulcers and infections; close monitoring and treatment for delirium; and effective pain management.

“We are continuously improving the quality of safety and care for our patients, and we appreciate the acknowledgement of those efforts,” Hoyt Burdick, MD, chief medical officer, MHN. “We have a committed team of caring professionals who provide excellent care to our senior patients. They are very deserving of this recognition.”

The Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

“We serve nearly 100 patients each year who trust us to develop and implement the best approaches to improve their care,” Rebecca Edwards, RN, BSN, CNRN, Coordinator, Senior Hip Fracture Program. “Earning this two-year certification for the third time since 2015 demonstrates our continued focus on high-quality patient care. It’s a great feeling knowing that we are being recognized by The Joint Commission for our efforts to provide the best possible outcomes for seniors.”

For more information, please visit www.jointcommission.org. To learn more about the CHH Senior Hip Fracture Program, call 304.399.1897 or visit cabellhuntington.org.