Saint Marys Hospital Awarded Certification from The Joint Commission for Management of Hip Fracture and Orthopedic Trauma

WATERBURY, Conn. -- Saint Mary’s Hospital is pleased to announce it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for the management of Hip Fracture. In addition, Saint Mary’s also attained certification for the management of Orthopedic Trauma, the only hospital in the state of Connecticut with this certification. This Gold Seal certification signifies Saint Mary’s commitment to ensuring patients receive the safest, quality care in the timeliest manner.

“We’ve changed the way orthopedic and hip trauma is treated here at Saint Mary’s Hospital and in the region. This is about giving our patients the best possible care in a comprehensive setting,” said Husnain Kermalli, M.D., Chief Medical Officer. “This is a multi-disciplinary approach to orthopedic and hip trauma care, and we are the only hospital in the state with this level of commitment to you at your most vulnerable time of need.”

Saint Mary’s Hospital has full-time orthopedic surgeons available immediately in the hospital and present at the bedside within 30 minutes of being notified of a patient’s arrival, with a goal of getting the patient into the operating room within 24 hours. The onsite orthopedic surgeon is supported by a robust orthopedic PA team, who are all dedicated to providing expedient and safe care.

Joint Commission certifications recognize health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for chronic diseases or conditions. Saint Mary’s Hospital is already recognized by the Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and Spine Surgery and now has been recognized for the management of Hip Fractures and Orthopedic Trauma. The certifications evaluate how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.

Saint Mary’s Hospital underwent several rigorous, onsite reviews in November. During the visits, Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management, supporting self-management, and delivering and facilitating clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. Reviewers provided extremely positive reviews for the orthopedic and hip trauma program at Saint Mary’s Hospital.

“These Certifications recognize health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Saint Mary’s Hospital for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for hip and orthopedic trauma patients.”

“Being onsite for these incoming trauma cases means patients are receiving timely care, they’re getting to the OR sooner, which leads to better outcomes and shorter hospital stays,” says Paul Beauvais, M.D., Medical Director for Orthopedic Trauma. “If there are no significant complexities that require patients to receive additional clearances or testing, and the OR is available, with my team, I am able to treat the patient within 24 hours.”

“I’m thrilled with the certification. We have been working diligently over the last 3 years to develop a program that provides orthopedic trauma and hip fracture patients with the most appropriate care, using a multidisciplinary approach,” said Christina Petta, Orthopedic Service Line Manager. “Just because we received this Gold Seal, does not mean we will stop looking for ways to improve. We’ll always be working to advance the care we provide our patients.”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website and TrinityHealthOfNE.org.