Harnett County, N.C. (August 1, 2013) – Harnett Health has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes the healthcare system’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.

“The Joint Commission Survey rigorously evaluates the quality of care Harnett Health provides to patients,” said Harnett Health President and CEO Ken Bryan.  “The surveyors spent a significant amount of time talking with staff, physicians and patients to gain a full understanding of the healthcare system and how care is provided. Our team demonstrated to the surveyors that our great team of people offered confidence, consistency, quality, and compassionate care.”

The meticulous, unannounced on-site survey was conducted by a team of six Joint Commission expert physician and nurse surveyors who evaluated the healthcare system during three days for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including preventing infections, providing safe care, appropriate use of medications, timely response to patient needs, and effective governance.

 “Harnett Health constantly focuses on the needs of patients,” commented vice president of medical affairs, Wallace Horne, MD.  “For example, we go above the standard practice for assuring you are getting the right medications by employing specially trained, certified pharmacy technicians to interview patients about medications taken at home.  The accurate list obtained allows physicians to reconcile home medications with new medications that are ordered. This helps to improve medication safety.”

 The Joint Commission’s healthcare system standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of healthcare facilities. The standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.

 “We consider The Joint Commission a partner in our continuing work to improve patient care and safety,” continued Harnett Health’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Service Excellence Vicki Allen, RN, MS. “The accreditation process encourages healthcare systems to continuously use the standards to achieve and maintain excellent care delivery throughout the entire organization. Our staff’s successful compliance with those rigorous standards is another example of their commitment to providing quality care for all our patients.”

“In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Harnett Health has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” remarked Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., executive director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process, and I commend Harnett Health for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

About The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve healthcare for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating healthcare organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other healthcare organizations that provide long term care, behavioral healthcare, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also certifies more than 2,400 disease-specific care programs such as stroke, heart failure, joint replacement and stroke rehabilitation, and 400 healthcare staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About Harnett Health
Harnett Health is a private, not-for-profit healthcare system based in Dunn, N.C. The system encompasses a network of facilities throughout Harnett and Johnston counties and has more than 260 credentialed providers and more than 1,000 employees. The system includes Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn, N.C. with 101 beds and Central Harnett Hospital in Lillington, N.C. with 50 private inpatient rooms. Services offered through Harnett Health include outpatient rehab/wellness centers in Benson, N.C., Dunn, N.C., and Lillington, N.C., and cardiac rehabilitation services, a breast care center, outpatient cardiac testing and a wound care center in Dunn, N.C. The healthcare system has six physician practices: Angier Medical Services, Coats Medical Services, Dunn Medical Services, Lillington Medical Services, Harnett OB/GYN and Premiere Pediatrics. For more information, visit www.harnetthealth.org.