South County Hospital’s Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery, a joint partnership between South County Health and Ortho Rhode Island, has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification by demonstrating the highest standards for quality and safety in joint replacement procedures.
“This serves as yet another indicator of the world class orthopedic program Rhode Islanders have come to know us for through our outstanding partnership with Ortho Rhode Island.” - Aaron Robinson, President & CEO, South County Health
Established in 2016 and awarded for a two-year period, The Joint Commission Advanced-Certification was developed in response to the growing number of patients undergoing a total hip or total knee replacement surgery. Advanced Certification also focuses on clinical evidence-based patient care as it relates to pain management, quality of life issues, functional limitation in mobility, and the return to normal daily activities.
Awarded in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for total hip and total knee replacements.
“We’re honored to receive this certification from The Joint Commission for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement,” said Aaron Robinson, President and CEO of South County Health. “This serves as yet another indicator of the world class orthopedic program Rhode Islanders have come to know us for through our outstanding partnership with Ortho Rhode Island.”
“Ortho Rhode Island is honored to partner with South County Hospital to deliver innovative orthopedic care that has earned Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification. This recognition is a testament to our collaborative effort and shared commitment to world-class care that puts patients first. We are grateful to work together to provide high-quality care our community members deserve.”
- Michael Bradley, MD, MBA, MS, President & CEO of Ortho Rhode Island
South County Hospital underwent a rigorous, onsite review in May. The certification focused on the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation, hospitalization, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon. The review process included interviews with team members and evaluated compliance with certification standards developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, and patients.
“Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Deborah Ryan, MS, RN, interim executive vice president, Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission. “We commend South County Hospital for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for orthopedic patients.”
Through a partnership with Ortho Rhode Island, and the opening of the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery at South County Hospital, South County Health is a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery. Since pioneering the use of Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ surgical technology for hip and knee replacements in 2010, the expert surgeons at Ortho Rhode Island have performed more than 17,000 robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement surgeries at South County Hospital.
