Media contact: Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator
Phone: (772) 223-4920
Cell: (772) 708-3319
E-mail:  ssamples@mmhs-fla.org

STUART, Fla., Oct. 4, 2010 – The Martin Memorial Center for Joint Replacement has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality. In September, the Joint Commission awarded Martin Memorial disease-specific care certification for joint replacement of the knee and hip.

Martin Memorial is one of just nine hospitals in Florida to receive this certification and the only one on the Treasure Coast.

“We are fortunate to have a dynamic team of physicians, nurses, clinical and support staff that provides high quality care to our patients,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial Health Systems. “Our goal is to ensure patients receive the best possible care and the Joint Commission certification demonstrates our commitment to achieving that goal.”

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Martin Memorial does the right things and does them well for knee and hip replacement patients,” said Jean E. Range, executive director of disease-specific care certification for the Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission launched its disease-specific care certification program in 2002. It is the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs.

Approximately 400 patients each year visit the Martin Memorial Center for Joint Replacement. About 53 percent of patients have knee replacement surgery and 47 percent have hip replacement surgery. Surgeons at the center follow practice parameters developed and approved by Martin Memorial’s Orthopaedic Task Force. The task force develops these practices based on the latest research and best outcomes.

About Martin Memorial: Martin Memorial Health Systems is a not-for-profit, community-based health care organization that has served the region for more than 70 years. It offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer and cardiac care, wellness and rehabilitation services. Its approximately 2,900 Associates, 375 affiliated physicians and 850 volunteers provide care at 12 different locations serving Martin and St. Lucie counties. Martin Memorial is a five-time winner of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals Award, and was named a National Employer of Choice designee in 2009. To learn more, visit mmhs.com.

About 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 evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 9,500 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,300 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. In addition, the Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,000 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. Learn more about the Joint Commission at jointcommission.org.