News Release

Media Contact:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589
christina.chavira@enloe.org

Enloe Medical Center awarded with Joint Commission accreditation

CHICO, Calif., Jan. 16, 2008 – In recognition for being in compliance with all applicable standards for the medical center and homecare services, the Joint Commission awarded Enloe Medical Center and Enloe HomeCare with accreditation.

On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Joint Commission delivered its final report on its full survey of Enloe Medical Center. The accreditation is effective beginning Sept. 15, 2007, the date of the Joint Commission’s full survey of Enloe Medical Center.

The Joint Commission is a key accrediting body of health care organizations in the United States. It surveys hospitals and their homecare services at the same time, but as separate entities. Enloe HomeCare is composed of HomeCare, Home Medical Equipment and Hospice. The Joint Commission’s Summary of Quality Information for Enloe can be viewed online at www.qualitycheck.org.

“This is an accomplishment to celebrate and a reminder of the excellence of which all of us are capable at the medical center,” said Deborah A. Yancer, Enloe’s Chief Executive Officer. “I thank everyone for their commitment, energy and focus as they spent countless hours working with surveyors and ensuring that we are always focused on the highest quality patient care.”

During the exit conference for a Joint Commission survey in December, the lead surveyor indicated that Enloe is “very diligent about the quality of patient care.” He also noted that four patient forms that Enloe uses for patient safety were identified as “best practices” for the Joint Commission.

Enloe continues its focus on improvement efforts to meet Conditions of Participation for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Joint Commission findings are not a substitute for the findings of CMS, which is anticipated to be back at Enloe for a re-survey by the end of January.

“It is vital and the highest priority of our organization that we stay focused on these improvement efforts,” said Yancer. “Receiving accreditation from the Joint Commission is a positive indication that we are headed in the right direction.”

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.