Horizon Health Awarded ‘Gold Seal of Approval’

Accreditation award recognizes highest quality care, patient safety

Horizon Health continues to receive national recognition for its commitment to patient safety and top-quality care.

The Joint Commission, which independently evaluates and accredits more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, has awarded Horizon Health its “Gold Seal of Approval” as an accredited critical access hospital. This followed an intensive, unannounced multi-day survey and tour of the hospital in February. The 2023 accreditation is valid for three years.

“I’m proud of our staff’s commitment to excellence each and every day,” said Rachel Kelley, MS-HC, BSN, CHCM, vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer. “Because of their hard work and dedication, we are in a constant state of survey readiness. It truly takes everyone, every day to achieve and maintain a gold standard of care.”

Receiving the accreditation means Horizon Health complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care. Seeking Joint Commission accreditation is voluntary, and Horizon Health has been accredited since it first applied for the status in 1998.

“Meeting the Joint Commission’s standards is a high bar and we want to show we are committed to meeting those standards,” said Amy Arnett, RN, quality director at Horizon Health. “Quality of patient care and patient safety initiatives are at the core of our hospital mission. We continually work to make sure we are always improving.”

As part of its survey, the Joint Commission used a “tracer” methodology which tracks a patient’s experience from the time he or she arrives at the hospital until the time of discharge.

The survey included a visit from a life safety specialist who inspected such things as the hospital building and grounds, signage, entrance and exit points, and emergency management plans.

Surveyors also reviewed the hospital’s overall environment of care, medication management, patient care, infection prevention and control initiatives, the medical staff and leadership, and national patient safety goals.