Backus Hospital awarded Advanced Certification

Norwich, CT– Backus Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) 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 quality and safety and a nationally recognized distinction for meeting the Joint Commission’s quality and safety performance standards for spine care.

“Our spine program team has been committed to achieving this distinguished designation.” said Dr. Mark Hornyak, a neurosurgeon with Hartford HealthCare’s Ayer Neuroscience Institute and Division Chair of Neurosurgery at Backus Hospital. “This certification represents years of high-quality work by our colleagues and shows how we strive for the best patient care, quality and outcomes possible. This is a major milestone for the Backus spine program, and it highlights the successful partnership between neurosurgery and orthopedics in the East Region.”

The certification, offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, helps organizations provide consistent communication and collaboration among all health care providers involved in the care of the patient.

“Our team is continuously focused on providing excellent patient care,” added Dr. Michael Halperin, an orthopedic surgeon at Backus Hospital. “I want to thank the staff of Backus Hospital for their incredible efforts and commitment to helping to bring our spine program to the status it is today.”

To be eligible for ACSS, organizations must implement evidence-based care and clinical practice guidelines and participate in the American Spine Registry, a national quality improvement registry for spine care. Additionally, organizations need to collect performance measurement data on surgical site infection rates, new neurological deficits, unplanned return visits to the operating room, and pre-operative and post-operative patient reported outcomes.

Backus Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review prior to receiving this recognition. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards that are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Backus Hospital for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

“I am so proud of the hard work, dedication and excellent care provided by all of our colleagues at Backus Hospital who helped make this possible,” said Backus Hospital President Donna Handley. “We are honored by this recognition which was accomplished by the collective efforts of our neuroscience and orthopedic teams working together to improve the health of our patients and the communities we serve.”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

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