The Joint Commission provides 'The Gold Seal of Approval' to NYU Hospitals Center

NYU Langone Medical Center announced today that the NYU Hospitals Center received The Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission, a national nonprofit organization responsible for certifying that some 17,000 U.S. healthcare institutions are following the very best practices in terms of patient care and safety. Accreditation by The Joint Commission, which must be re-earned every three years, signals to patients and staff alike that NYU Langone is meeting the commission’s exacting standards in such key areas as patient rights, quality of treatment, medication safety, and infection control.

“The Joint Commission’s survey is about seeking excellence in all we do and serves as a framework for ensuring ongoing compliance with patient care standards and continuous quality improvement”

“The Joint Commission’s survey is about seeking excellence in all we do and serves as a framework for ensuring ongoing compliance with patient care standards and continuous quality improvement,” said Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO of NYU Langone Medical Center. “This recognition is especially rewarding, as it speaks to the dedication and medical expertise of our physicians, nurses, and staff and their unwavering commitment to the highest standards of patient care. We congratulate them all for their tremendous contributions and for receiving this outstanding recognition.”

In November 2009, The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of NYU Langone Medical Center, including Tisch Hospital, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (Rusk) and Hospital for Joint Diseases (HJD). For five days, a group of six surveyors, including an environmental surveyor, conducted a thorough and detailed study of the Medical Center’s patient care practices and processes. Through each step of care—from admission through discharge—personnel were evaluated according to hundreds of criteria. The environmental surveyor spent two days inspecting the Medical Center’s physical plant for potential safety concerns.

According to Dr. Grossman, the award reflects NYU Langone’s deep commitment to high-quality medical care and the resources devoted to ensuring that care—even when an inspection isn’t around the corner.

“Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide improvement in an organization’s performance and the outcomes of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, executive director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission. “The community should be proud that NYU Langone Medical Center is focusing on the most challenging goal—to continuously raise quality and safety to higher levels.”