Parma Community General Hospital’s Joint Camp has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality. The Joint Commission recently awarded Parma Hospital Disease-Specific Care Certification for total hip and total knee joint replacement. Parma Hospital is among seven hospitals in Ohio certified for these procedures.

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff. 

“This certification means Parma Community General Hospital does the right things and does them well for joint replacement patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

Many of Parma Hospital’s total joint replacement patients participate in Joint Camp, a comprehensive program that begins up to six weeks before surgery to prepare patients for the adjustments necessary for a complete recovery. The voluntary program encourages active participation by patients and their “coaches,” who attend these educational sessions.

“Parma Hospital voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide,” says Blane McCoy, MD, director, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Parma Community General Hospital. “We’re proud to achieve this distinction.”

About The Joint Commission:

The Joint Commission – the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care – launched its Disease-Specific Care Certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.