CANANDAIGUA – UR Medicine’s Thompson Hospital today announced it recently earned Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, the premier healthcare quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation.
The advanced certification program – established in 2015 – recognizes Joint Commission-accredited hospitals committed to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns. Said Thompson Hospital Director of Obstetrical Nursing Deborah Jones, “This prestigious certification affirms the capability of a community hospital to provide care at the highest level.”
Thompson underwent a rigorous on-site review on July 21 and 22 to assess its compliance with certification standards for perinatal care. During the review, a Joint Commission representative completed an independent evaluation of Thompson’s perinatal healthcare services, as well as the following key requirements:
- Integrated, coordinated patient-centered care that starts with prenatal and continues through postpartum care
- Early identification of high-risk pregnancies and births
- Management of mothers’ and newborns’ risks
- Available patient education and information about perinatal care services
“The achievement of this advanced certification verifies and validates our ongoing commitment to quality improvement processes, which enhance care for our mothers and newborns,” Jones said. “The reviewer specifically cited our teamwork, collaboration and communication with patients, as he directly observed our patient care.”
The perinatal certification comes on the heels of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield announcing earlier this year that Thompson Hospital had been named as one of the first hospitals to receive the Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care designation, a new designation recognizing evidence-based, patient-centered care as well as cost efficiency.
“Achieving Perinatal Care Certification recognizes an organization’s commitment to healthy mothers and healthy babies,” said Wendi Roberts, executive director of Certification Programs for The Joint Commission.
To view Joint Commission accreditation status for Thompson and other hospitals, visit www.qualitycheck.org.