San Diego County CA— The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that certifies and accredits healthcare institutions across the United States, has awarded its Gold Seal of Approval^® to The Elizabeth Hospice. The Elizabeth Hospice received Joint Commission Accreditation “deemed status” which demonstrates that The Elizabeth Hospice exceeds Medicare and Medicaid requirements, and has met the higher quality standards set forth by The Joint Commission. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is a recognizable symbol that shows a commitment to quality and dedication to excellence.
“The Elizabeth Hospice was evaluated against a set of national standards by a team of Joint Commission surveyors experienced in hospice services,” said Jan Jones, president and CEO of The Elizabeth Hospice. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I am proud of our organization for undertaking this challenge to execute the highest standard of care. We have achieved a symbol of quality that reflects our dedication to provide quality health care for every patient.”
More than 1,400 hospice programs out of 4,000 in the United States currently maintain accreditation by The Joint Commission with approximately 1,000 receiving deemed status. The Joint Commission’s hospice standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, hospice providers and researchers, as well as industry experts and consumers. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess, and improve performance.
“Joint Commission accredited hospices demonstrate their deep abiding commitment to quality end-of-life care,” said Margherita Labson, RN, MS, executive director, Home Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend The Elizabeth Hospice for achieving this accreditation to inspire the highest level of care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the hospice setting.”

The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About The Elizabeth Hospice

The Elizabeth Hospice (http://elizabethhospice.org) is the region’s most experienced and largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider of medical, emotional and spiritual support to the seriously ill and their families in San Diego and the Inland Empire. Since 1978, The Elizabeth Hospice has touched the lives of more than 95,000 patients and families in the communities we serve, regardless of their ability to pay, and providing specialty services such as Veterans Outreach, Palliative Care, Pediatric and Perinatal Hospice Care and counseling and grief support for all ages, regardless of the type of illness or death experienced. To learn more, call (800) 797-2050 or visit our website at www.elizabethhospice.org