UNC Health Blue Ridge's spine center in Morganton, N.C., has been awarded The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of approval, The News Herald reported Feb. 3.
The two-year certification demonstrates compliance with the commission's safety and quality standards in spine surgery. It includes preoperative care and education, standardization of practices, procedures and patient care for patients, and pre- and postoperative consults with spine surgeons as well as communication and collaboration among clinicians.
"We have put a lot of time and effort into this certification to assure patients of our quality standards," Jill Ryan, director of accreditation and regulations at UNC Health Blue Ridge, told the publication. "The excellence of our spine surgeon, Jason Zook, MD, and our team of clinicians was validated through this survey experience."
Certification became effective Nov. 20 and lasts up to two years.