Staff Report

The Joint Commission on Healthcare Accreditation conducted an unannounced quality of care survey of the operations at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital January 26-29.

Results showed excellent ratings by the survey team whose summation on the final survey day concluded, "the staff's tenure and pride taken in their work is extremely commendable.

Hugh Chatham is surveyed at least tri-annually. Chief Executive Officer David Loving said, "By undergoing the Joint Commission survey, we place our caregivers under the rigors of comparison with every other accredited healthcare organization in the nation. The survey reinforces our commitment to providing the best available medical care to our community," he said.

The Joint Commission's survey team consisted of a physician, a nurse, and a facility engineer. During the four-day survey, the team goes to the point of care and actually spends time with the frontline staff.

Once on site, the surveyors are given a copy of the patient census, that includes diagnoses and a list of outpatient activity. The surveyors randomly select patients and follow them through the health care system of the organization.

The survey is comprehensive in that it follows a patient's care from admission to discharge. The team followed one patient in particular from the emergency room, to surgery, to intensive care, to medical surgical recovery, and finally through home health care-surveying the Hospital's continuum of care.

"I was impressed by comprehensive services HCMH provides its community. The staff takes great pride in their work, resulting in quality care for patients," one surveyor said.

"We are very proud of our survey results," said Loving. "Receiving such high marks in an unannounced survey just after the move into our new facility is proof of continuous quality improvement."

The results parallel the Hospital's patient satisfaction scores as well. The organization received the 2009 Press Ganey Summit Award in November, earning national recognition.

In comparison with 1,600 hospitals across the nation, HCMH's ambulatory surgery department has been in the top 5 percent in patient satisfaction for three continuous years

"This is validation of our physicians and staff working together as a team to ensure the highest quality care," Loving said.