Two Los Angeles County behavioral health facilities named Top Performers

"We understand that what matters most to patients at any hospital is safe, effective care," says Todd Smith, CEO of Charter Oak Hospital. "Both of our facilities also have long-standing commitments to the accreditation process and to positive patient outcomes," adds Jerry Conway, CEO of Las Encinas Hospital.

Both CEOs praised the work of the independent psychiatrists and hospital employees who provide daily treatment for the patients at each facility. "We have some of the top-ranked psychiatrists in Southern California at our two hospitals," notes Conway. "Our nurses, social workers, therapists and other employees all do a tremendous job providing the highest level of care," adds Smith.

The Joint Commission report recognizes hospitals for "their exemplary performance in providing evidence-based interventions in the right way and at the right time." Psychiatric hospital rankings were based on the following measures:

• Justification for administering multiple anti-psychotic medications
• Ratios for use of restraints and seclusion
• Creation and transmission of continuing care plans

"Aurora Charter Oak, Aurora Las Encinas and all the Top Performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement and they should be proud of their achievement," says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission.