FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN GULF COUNTY AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

Gulf County, FL –The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Gulf County has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint

Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory care organizations. The accreditation award recognizes DOH-Gulf’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint

Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.

DOH-Gulf underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in July 2013. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated the health department for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

“Organizations striving for accreditation in ambulatory care from the Joint Commission demonstrate the highest commitment to quality and safety for their patients, staff and community,” said Michael Kulczycki, Executive Director of the Joint Commission’s Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program. “I commend the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County for successfully achieving this pinnacle, and

for its dedication to continually improving patient care.”

"We recognize Joint Commission accreditation as the Gold Seal for providing safe, high quality patient care. Achieving accreditation from The Joint Commission is a team effort that will bring confidence to

our patients and give us a framework to provide the best care possible,” said Marsha Lindeman, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County.

The Joint Commission’s ambulatory care standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of an ambulatory care organization. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.

Since 1975, The Joint Commission has developed state-of-the-art standards for outpatient ambulatory care organizations. Nearly 1,900 freestanding ambulatory care organizations maintain Joint Commission accreditation.

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission improves public health by collaborating with stakeholders, evaluating health care organizations, and inspiring them to provide safe, effective, and high-quality care.

The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also certifies more than 2,400 disease-specific care programs such as stroke, heart failure, joint replacement and stroke rehabilitation, and 400 health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint

Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

The mission of the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County is to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County at 850-227-1276.

http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments http://live.oysterradio.com/