Contact: Scott Samples, Public Information Coordinator
Phone: (772) 223-4920
Cell: (772) 708-3319
Email: scott.samples@martinhealth.org   

STUART, Fla., March 30, 2012 – The Orthopaedic Specialty Center at Martin Health System has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for health care quality related to joint replacement of the knee and hip.

Martin Health earned the certification by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes Martin Health’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s quality care standards.

Martin Health previously earned certification in 2010. It is one of only 26 hospitals in the state to be certified in hip and knee replacement by The Joint Commission, and one of only two on the Treasure Coast.

“We have an outstanding team of affiliated physicians, nurses, clinical and support staff who work closely together to ensure patients receive exceptional orthopaedic care,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Health System. “Receiving this certification is recognition of our continued commitment to provide high-quality health care to our community.”

Martin Health underwent a rigorous on-site survey in late March. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated Martin Health for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

“In achieving Joint Commission certification, Martin Health has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for patients requiring hip and knee replacement,” says Jean Range, executive director of disease-specific care certification for The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Martin Health for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

Nearly 600 total joint replacements were performed at the Orthopaedic Specialty Center in 2011. Seventy percent of those patients received knee replacements and 30 percent received hip replacements. Surgeons at the center follow practice parameters developed and approved by Martin Health’s Orthopaedic Performance Improvement Team. These practices are based on the latest research, best outcomes and clinical practice guidelines.

About Martin Health System: Martin Health System 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 3,000 Associates, 375 affiliated physicians and 900 volunteers provide care at 12 different locations serving Martin and St. Lucie counties. Martin Health is a six-time winner of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals Award, has twice been named a Thomson Reuters 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals award winner, and received designation as a National Employer of Choice designee for 2009 and 2010-11. To learn more, visit martinhealth.org.