Binghamton, N.Y.-based United Health Services has become the first program in Upstate New York to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for spine surgery.
The Joint Commission conferred the certification in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, according to a Jan. 23 press release from UHS.
UHS spent the last year trying to earn the certification, forming a multidisciplinary team under the leadership of Simone Betchen, MD, chief of neurosciences at UHS.
The team includes representatives from various patient care areas, including nursing, quality management and neurosurgery, along with other members of the spine surgery program.