Salem Hospital has become the first hospital in Oregon to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its Joint Replacement Center of Excellence, by demonstrating compliance with national standards for healthcare quality and safety in disease-specific care. This status recognizes Salem Hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. The hospital collaborated with Hope Orthopedics of Oregon and opened the Joint Replacement Center of Excellence in December 2010. In addition, Salem Hospital was the only hospital in Oregon recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review on its list of 60 hospitals nationwide with great orthopedic programs.

The center was designed to empower patients to return to their active lives as soon as possible. By providing a predictable patient-centered experience, from pre-surgery education and preparation, through the joint replacement surgery and post-surgery rehabilitation, patients are getting better results and outcomes. A survey by Press Ganey found patient satisfaction overall increased to 93 percent by the fourth quarter of 2011. The study also found the center’s patients could walk farther upon leaving the hospital, with an average of 33 percent farther than before the center opened.

“Joint Commission certification is an appropriate way to recognize the program and the staff for a job well done,” says John Coen, MD, medical director of Hope Orthopedics. “The surgeons deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of the many disciplines involved who make us look so good. We recognize the teamwork and collaboration it takes in order to provide our patients with such an incredible experience. With our streamlined program, our patients benefit from a clear understanding of what to expect from the time they leave our office, have surgery, and throughout their stay in the hospital.”

“The award from The Joint Commission is an example of the results which can come from collaboration among the various disciplines, physicians, nurses, therapists and others, focused on improving patient outcomes,” said Norm Gruber, Salem Health President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Being the first hospital in Oregon to achieve this designation means Salem Hospital is committed to making sure every patient is able to meet their individual goals for recovery,” said Cheryl Nester Wolfe, RN, Salem Health Chief Operating Officer.

The center underwent a rigorous on-site survey in February 2012. A team of Joint Commission surveyors evaluated the program for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Its Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, evaluates clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address 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.

Salem Health includes the award-winning Salem Hospital, along with West Valley Hospital, Willamette Health Partners and other affiliated healthcare organizations offering quality care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. Visit us at salemhealth.org, facebook.com/salemhealth or facebook.com/salemhospital; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth or @salemhospital; and view us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/salemhealth.

A regional resource for patients throughout the Willamette Valley, Hope Orthopedics of Oregon is a medical clinic comprised of 15 orthopedic specialist physicians, support professionals and staff offering a comprehensive range of services for conditions affecting the bones, muscles and joints. Find more details at HopeOrthopedics.com.