Long Island Jewish Valley Stream (N.Y.) Hospital is the first hospital in the U.S. to receive all five orthopedic specialty certifications from The Joint Commission, liherald.com reported April 28.
The five certifications are in advanced spine surgery, advanced total hip and knee replacement, total shoulder replacement, total ankle replacement, and hip fracture care surgeries.
The Joint Commission's evaluation covers preoperative care and education; standardization of practices, procedures and patient care for patients; and pre- and postoperative consults with orthopedic surgeons, as well as communication and collaboration among clinicians.
"This certification represents excellence in communication," said Alfred Faust, MD, the hospital's chief of spine surgery. "There are a lot of hand-offs from one place in the hospital to the next. And unfortunately, that raises opportunities for things to get missed. So quality communication is going to protect the patient before they even come into the hospital. And then for the entirety of their care, in and around the OR, on the floor, and in preparation for going home."