Roper Hospital’s Joint Replacement Programs Win National Certification
April 5, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – April 5, 2011 – Roper Hospital has been recognized nationally for its Joint Replacement program, earning The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Hip and Knee Replacement programs. Certification by The Joint Commission recognizes that Roper’s program complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care.
In late March, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated Roper for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
In achieving Joint Commission certification, Roper Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients who need hip and knee replacement,” said Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. Executive Director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Roper and its staff for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
Roper Hospital CEO Mathew Severance added, With Joint Commission certification, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence. For our hospital, achieving Joint Commission certification in knee and hip replacement is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”
The Roper Hospital Joint Replacement Unit is a regional leader for joint replacement surgeries, having performed 450 hip and 730 knee replacements in 2010. The team of board certified surgeons, certified nurses, therapists and other caregivers coordinate care to ensure the best possible outcome. Prior to surgery, patients and their families are encouraged to attend pre-operative joint classes, which educate patients about their surgery and what they can expect during their stay on the Joint Replacement Unit.
A primary focus of the Joint Replacement Unit is pain management. The introduction of the ON-Q PainBuster Post-Op Pain Relief System, which provides continuous infusion of a local anesthetic directly into the patient’s surgical site, has resulted in the reduced need for narcotics, while expediting a patient’s recovery. Roper Hospital’s Joint Replacement Unit is one of only five in the state, and the only in the Lowcountry, to achieve this distinction.
The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and 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.
To learn more about Roper St. Francis Orthopedic and Joint Programs, please visit www.rsfh.com/orthoandjoint.
The Roper St. Francis Healthcare Mission:
Healing All People with Compassion, Faith and Excellence
Roper St. Francis Healthcare is the South Carolina Lowcountry’s only private, not-for-profit health care system. The 657-bed system consists of 90 facilities and services in seven counties. Member hospitals include Roper Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Mount Pleasant Hospital and Roper Rehabilitation Hospital. Plans to build a hospital in Berkeley County are in progress. Roper St. Francis Physician Partners is a comprehensive network of more than 180 physicians that covers a complete range of primary care and 20 subspecialties.
With more than 5,100 employees, Roper St. Francis Healthcare is Charleston’s largest non-governmental, private employer. Its medical staff includes nearly 800 physicians representing every medical specialty. Ranked #41 among the Top 100 Integrated Health Networks in the nation, Roper St. Francis Healthcare recently earned 96 National Awards recognizing high levels of patient, physician and employee satisfaction. In October 2010, Roper St. Francis was named among Modern Healthcare’s prestigious list of “Top 100 Places to Work.” Roper St. Francis Healthcare was additionally listed among the Top 25 Connected Healthcare Systems in 2010. In 2010, the organization contributed more than 78,312 hours of staff time and $47.3 million to benefit the community, serving nearly 264,000 community residents.
