UPMC Williamsport Awarded Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from The Joint Commission

July 19, 2022

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – UPMC Williamsport recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Re-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.

The certification, offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, focuses on the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation to the intraoperative, hospitalization or ambulatory surgical center admission, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

“Our joint replacement program encourages both the patient and their caregiver to participate in the pre-surgery education, surgery preparation, hospital stay activities, and transition to home or next level of care,” said John Bailey, M.D., UPMC Orthopaedics. “Our entire clinical team works with every individual to customize their goals and care to meet their unique needs. Helping our patients return to their highest level of function is at the core of our program. This recognition is evidence that our program not only produces successful outcomes for our patients, but also that we continue to advance our practices to ensure we’re meeting future standards and expectations for care.”

UPMC Williamsport underwent a rigorous, unannounced virtual review, during which, a Joint Commission reviewer 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. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Our program focuses on a patient’s entire care journey,” said Joe Wood, director, Therapy Operations, UPMC in North Central Pa. “We focus on their health and wellness before surgery, their condition during the surgery, hospital stay, and follow-up care after surgery. Each patient has a dedicated team of surgeons, outpatient navigators, inpatient care coordinators, nurses, and therapists all looking out for them and helping them along the way. This certification is a testament to our team’s commitment to the quality care we offer here in north central Pennsylvania.”

“Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend UPMC Williamsport for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for orthopedic patients.”

For more information on The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification, please visit jointcommission.org.

For more information on UPMC Orthopaedics and services available in north central Pennsylvania, visit UPMC.com/OrthoNCPA.