Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Pediatric Asthma Certification 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. The certification recognizes healthcare organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for pediatric asthma. The certification evaluates 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.
“CHOC is thrilled to have earned this prestigious certification for two consecutive cycles,” said Melanie Patterson, CHOC vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. “This is further testament to the safe, compassionate and high-quality care that CHOC’s multidisciplinary asthma team is privileged to provide to patients with this chronic condition and underscores the organization’s commitment to excellence.”
CHOC underwent a rigorous review on Feb. 5. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
The successful survey was the result of a comprehensive team effort, including the day’s presentations as well as months of preparation work by the CHOC’s asthma program steering committee – led by Dr. Sunil Kamath, pediatric pulmonologist, and Emilee Lamorena, director of respiratory, pulmonary and asthma.
CHOC’s interdisciplinary asthma team covers a range of areas that collaborate to care for inpatients, outpatients, and children with acute and chronic conditions living in the community.
The asthma care team at CHOC includes primary care, specialty care, inpatient units, the Julia and George Argyros Emergency Department, respiratory care and Wellness on Wheels. Supporting areas include population health, clinical education, pharmacy, case management, the information systems department, regulatory affairs, quality and performance measurement.
Altogether, the broad team partners with patients and families to achieve a handful of goals and objectives:
- improve the care of children with asthma;
- reduce morbidity;
- improve quality of life;
- meet community need;
- enhance patient experience; and
- promote self-management and gain asthma control.
- The certification is the highest honor for quality and excellence in patient care for children with asthma.
The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that offers an unbiased assessment of quality achievement in patient care and safety.
“Pediatric asthma certification recognizes health care 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 CHOC 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.”
