Doctors Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Total Hip Replacement Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The certification, in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, focuses on the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation to the intraoperative, hospitalization or ambulatory surgical center admission, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

“We are proud to receive this certification. It is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our orthopedic physicians, nurses and clinical team,” said Warren Kirk, CEO of Doctors Medical Center. “This certification further demonstrates our commitment to provide the community with outstanding healthcare.”

Doctors Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review on Nov. 1, 2019. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating clinical care to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Total Hip Replacement Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Doctors Medical Center for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for orthopedic patients.”

“Providing excellent orthopedic care for our patients in the Central Valley has always been our top priority,” said John Casey, M.D., Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Doctors Medical Center. “Our team of physicians and nurses is committed to the highest standards for quality and safety in our joint replacement program, and this certification is another example of that commitment.”

Prior to applying for the Total Hip Replacement Certification, Doctors Medical Center was required to ensure its program was meeting the specific standards set forth by The Joint Commission. This certification requires facilities to provide ongoing orthopedic education and program oversight, which Doctors Medical Center is committed to. This includes having a full-time dedicated Orthopedic Nurse Navigator to ensure quality standards are continuously achieved and the commitment to patient care remains the top priority.

Doctors Medical Center previously earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Total Knee Replacement Certification.