MOSCOW ― Gritman Medical Center’s Orthopedic Care Program has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.
The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. Joint Commission certification follows more than a year of investment by teams across the Gritman System and validates that Gritman is meeting the highest compliance with Joint Commission performance standards.
“Our care teams worked tirelessly over the past year to build our orthopedic care program so we can ensure our patients don’t have to travel long distances for hip and knee replacement surgery,” Gritman President and CEO Kara Besst said. “We are so thankful to everyone who worked on this certification project.”
Gritman underwent an on-site Joint Commission review in September to measure compliance with certification standards, including observations and interviews. Certification means Gritman’s hip and knee replacement program meets the highest possible clinical standards for quality and patient outcome.
Certification standards cover all hip and knee replacement surgeries at Gritman, including patients who get their care from Gritman Orthopedic Surgeons Dr. Marvin Kym and Certified Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Sunshine Huffman, as well as all other orthopedic surgeons with privileges at Gritman.
Orthopedic Nurse Navigator Shari Hottinger led the creation of Gritman’s program, which was built around clinical practice guidelines and standards of care developed by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The program is governed by a multi-disciplinary team with Dr. Kym as its medical director.
“I’m so proud of our team here at Gritman for building this quality program for our community,” Dr. Kym said. “We have some tremendous nurses, providers and staff at this organization and I’m proud to be able to work with them.”
Gritman’s orthopedic care program combines total joint replacement surgery with in-depth education classes, therapy, pain management and patient navigation. Orthopedic patients are followed throughout their care journey to ensure they are meeting important recovery milestones.
“We are committed to bringing patients an excellent, safe and high-quality experience,” Hottinger said. “Patients who are highly involved in their care before, during and after surgery experience better outcomes, which is what this program is all about.”
Gritman’s certification lasts for two years, after which another review will take place.
The Joint Commission also serves as Gritman Medical Center’s accreditor. As the leader in standards development promoting quality and safety in health care organizations, The Joint Commission is currently the nation’s largest and only accreditor that reaches across the full continuum of care.