Norfolk, Va. – (December 6, 2007) By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.   

“We sought accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patient safety and quality care,” said Daniel S. Duggan, executive vice president/administrator, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. “This accreditation status is another demonstration of the medical center’s commitment to working as a team to provide excellent care.” 

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of Bon Secours DePaul on September 18 - 21. The accreditation award recognizes Bon Secours DePaul’s dedication to complying with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis. 

Bon Secours Hampton Roads and Bon Secours DePaul are committed to providing quality care.  To ensure our success in providing excellent care, we will continue to focus our efforts in several key areas:

• Full compliance with the JCAHO National Patient Safety Goals
• Participation in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 5 Million Lives campaign
• Participation in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project
• Participation in the American Hospital Association Quality Initiative
• Participation in the Anthem QHIP Program

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.