Memorial Medical Center awarded Bariatric Surgery recertification from The Joint Commission

Memorial Medical Center has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Bariatric Surgery Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards for disease-specific care. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for bariatric surgery. The certification evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.

Memorial Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review to achieve this recertification. During the visit, 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 onsite observations and interviews.

“Bariatric Surgery 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 Memorial Medical Center for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for bariatric patients.”

“There is no higher validation of the quality of care at Memorial than certification from The Joint Commission,” said John Harris, Memorial Chief Executive Officer. “Our Bariatric Surgery program is renowned in our region and beyond for providing high quality care and a happier and healthier lifestyle for our patients.”

Memorial is also the region’s only Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center for Bariatrics.