Tampa (Feb. 16, 2007) -
Tampa General Hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality. The
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has awarded Tampa
General Disease-Specific Care recertification for 11 disease managements programs.
In January of 2005, TGH was the first and only hospital in the country to receive disease-specific
certification in 11 specific areas of health care from the nation’s largest independent
organization that monitors the quality and safety of patient care. This week’s announcement
reconfirms that Tampa General is providing the best possible care.
The certifications follow an extensive, unannounced, on-site evaluation of 11 disease management
programs by a team of Joint Commission reviewers. The programs were evaluated through an
assessment of the program’s processes and the programs ability to evaluate and improve patient
care within its organization. The reviewers also interviewed patients and staff.
The Gold Seal certifications are in the areas of: Bariatric Surgery, Burn/Wound Care, Complex
Orthopedic, Epilepsy, Heart Transplant, Liver Transplant, Joint Replacement, Sleep Disorders,
Primary Stroke Center, Surgical Digestive Disorders and Gastrointestinal Cancer, and Trauma.
“This certification means Tampa General Hospital does the right things and does them well for
their patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S. R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific
Care Certification, Joint Commission.
“Tampa General voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the
safety and quality of care we provide,” says Deana Nelson, Executive Vice President of Patient
Care Services. “We’re proud to achieve this distinction.”
The Joint Commission 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. The Joint
Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the
United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations.
