Witham Memorial Hospital awarded Laboratory Accreditation from The Joint Commission

The Laboratories of Witham Memorial Hospital have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Laboratory Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The Laboratories of Witham Memorial Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in January. During the visit, the Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with Laboratory standards spanning several areas including laboratory and point-of-Care Testing.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyor also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Witham Memorial Hospital for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients.”

“To pass this rigorous inspection and to achieve this accreditation, several dedicated laboratory employees put in many hours of work to meet deadlines and make goals on time for our documentation efforts. This was in the midst of an implementation of four new chemistry analyzers requiring a few months of validation work.” said Anne Marie Lightwine, MT (ASCP), Director, Laboratory, Witham Health Services. “The laboratory is the only department within the hospital that has its own Joint Commission inspection. We’re very proud of our lab team and this accomplishment!”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.