Henry Mayo’s Spine Surgery and Joint Replacement Program Awarded Joint Commission Certification

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Spine Surgery and Joint Replacement program by demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. Henry Mayo is now a Center of Excellence in four disease–specific areas—knee, shoulder, and hip replacement, and spine surgery.
To earn this certification, Henry Mayo underwent a rigorous on-site review where a Joint Commission expert evaluated the hospital for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
“In achieving Joint Commission certification, Henry Mayo has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” said Michele Sacco, interim executive director, Certification Programs. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Henry Mayo for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.
“Joint Commission certification provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence,” said Pam Geyer, Spine and Joint Program Manager at Henry Mayo. “Achieving this certification is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”
One key to excellence is a pre-surgery patient education class. Staffed with a dedicated nurse navigator and a physical therapist, the class has an impressive 92 percent attendance rate, well above the industry standard.
“We talk about how to prepare for hospitalization and about the surgery itself, with examples of the newest implant technology that patients can look at and hold, as well as how to care for themselves after discharge,” Geyer said. “The more prepared a patient is for the hospital experience equates to a greater opportunity for a positive outcome.”
Henry Mayo’s Joint Replacement and Spine Surgery Center also offers the latest in implant technology and minimally invasive procedures. “Our staff is comprised of highly skilled and recognized surgeons, yet we still have that community touch. Your expert surgeon will also manage your case,” Geyer said.
According to Geyer, the idea to become a Center of Excellence came into inception eight years ago and working together was crucial to making it a reality.
“A project of this magnitude cannot happen without major effort. I credit a fantastic team, including Dr. Charles Young as the Medical Chair, as well as incredible executive leadership. Henry Mayo’s CEO Roger Seaver has been a strong supporter of this program,” Geyer said.