ROCKPORT, Maine – MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
MHPBH underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review between June 11 and June 14. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with Hospital Accreditation standards spanning several areas including but not limited to emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, provision of care/treatment/services, and national patient safety goals.
The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients.”
“We are very proud to earn hospital accreditation from The Joint Commission,” said Stacie Myers, senior director of Quality and Safety for MHPBH and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. “This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire care team across all departments. Their commitment to meeting the highest standards ensures that we continue to provide exceptional care to our patients.”
To prepare for the multi-day visit, the accreditation process required daily practices and commitments to safety and excellence including:
- Comprehensive continued education and training programs for care team members.
- Interdisciplinary teams collaborated on quality improvement projects and ensured parties are aligned in their understanding and implementation of best practices.
- Conducted internal audits and mock surveys.
- Refined policies and procedures.
- Frequent, thorough rounding on the physical environment to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards and making necessary upgrades to enhance patient safety.
- Maintaining a constant, daily priority focus on enhancing patient safety, improving outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.
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About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.