French Hospital’s Total Joint Replacement Program earns Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval

Unannounced onsite visits can send some health care facilities into panic mode. That’s not the case at Dignity Health’s French Hospital Medical Center. 

The Joint Commission visited French Hospital in San Luis Obispo for an unannounced review in July. During the two-day inspection, the hospital was evaluated on its compliance with certification standards—including program management, supporting self-management and delivering and facilitating clinical care in its Total Joint Replacement Program.

The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

Following the review, French Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification 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. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. 

“I am so proud of all the work and effort that went into achieving the Joint Commission recognition,” said Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Dimitri Delagrammaticas. “It is such a privilege to be working together with so many who are committed to elevating the standard of care for our community, and to realizing great outcomes for our patients. I’m confident that the success of this program will serve as an example of what we can accomplish in this community when so many are invested in elevating our expectations.”

The Joint Commission accredits more than 22,000 US health care organizations and programs.

“I am honored to be part of a program that keeps patients and their families at the center of their care,” said Kristen Coyne, MSN, RN, French Hospital’s Orthopedic Program Coordinator. “We provide each patient with individualized care and ongoing education throughout their entire surgery process in order to help them reach their goals. This Advanced Certification gives our Total Joint Replacement Program the framework to provide services to our community that are research-based and data-driven. Our number one goal is for patients to continue on with their active lifestyles and get back to doing what they love as quickly and as safely as possible. ”

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