UNC Health Blue Ridge Earns Joint Commission Accreditation
UNC Health Blue Ridge has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
UNC Health Blue Ridge underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on March 19-22, 2024. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with hospital standards in several areas, including the provision of care, treatment and services, emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management.
“Our teammates work hard every day to meet survey standards,” said Kathy Bailey, President and CEO of UNC Health Blue Ridge. “I am so proud of their work and how dedicated they are to serving our patients and the community.”
The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess, and improve performance. The surveyors 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 UNC Health Blue Ridge for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity, and compassion for all patients.”
UNC Health Blue Ridge is committed to continuous survey readiness. “We view accreditation requirements as the foundation for safe, high-quality care and embed those standards into education, training, policies, procedures, standard work, and clinical protocols,” said Jill Ryan, CPHQ, CPPS, Executive Director of Quality. “Every day is ‘survey day’ for the patients we serve.”
