Tripler awarded accreditation from The Joint Commission

Tripler Army Medical Center has earned accreditation from The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare, by demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety.

To receive the recognition, Tripler underwent a rigorous five-day survey where important functions relating to the care of patients and hospital management were evaluated.

"Surveyors spoke glowingly about Tripler's sophisticated processes and practices," said Brig. Gen. Dennis Doyle, Commanding General for Pacific Regional Medical Command and Tripler Army Medical Center, of the visit. "Our staff really engaged with the survey team, especially when the surveyors were in teaching or consulting mode. This survey will certainly make us a better, safer hospital and inspire us to become a high reliability healthcare organization."

To earn and maintain accreditation, an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years.

"Some hospitals start ramping up for the surveyors six months prior to the review," says Quality Services Division Director for TAMC, John Henry. "At Tripler, this is a daily commitment. We have a very structured plan that starts the day the surveyors walk out the door to the day they come back three years later."

"With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence," says Henry. "Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for Tripler is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide."

The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.