(New Brunswick, NJ) – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program Re-Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
The re-certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for Ventricular Assist Device support for patients with end-stage heart failure. The certification evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.
The VAD Program is part of RWJUH’s Advanced Heart Failure, VAD and Transplant Program, which offers the full spectrum of care for the end-stage heart failure patients, including left ventricular assist devices, access to clinical trials and Medicare-certified heart transplant services. RWJUH has dedicated a multidisciplinary team of physicians, coordinators, nurse practitioners, a social worker and a nutritionist solely for the program.
“This prestigious certification affirms RWJUH’s role as a leader in VAD technology,” said Hirohisa Ikegami, MD, Surgical Director of RWJUH’s Advanced Heart Failure, VAD and Transplant Program. “We are committed to providing patients diagnosed with end-stage heart failure this advanced, life-saving technology as a bridge to transplant, as a therapeutic option for heart recovery, or as a permanent therapy for individuals who are not eligible for transplant.”
RWJUH Chief Executive Officer Bill Arnold added, “As a leading academic medical center, we are proud to offer residents of our state and region advanced therapies, such as VADs and transplants. Earning this certification is testament to the hard work and commitment to excellence demonstrated by our team of surgeons, physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and coordinators who work together to provide hope for our patients.”
RWJUH’s VAD Program underwent a rigorous, onsite review in April. During the visit, the Joint Commission reviewer met with many members of our VAD team led by Deepa Iyer, MD, Medical Director of RWJUH’s VAD Program and Program Director of RWJUH’s Heart Transplant Program. The reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including Clinical Information Management, Performance Measurement, Program Management, Supporting Self-Management, as well as Delivering and Facilitating Clinical Care. The Joint Commission develops standards in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients.
The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Disease-Specific Care VAD Program Re-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 Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for using re-certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for (chronic disease or condition) patients.”
About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is a 640-bed academic medical center that is New Jersey’s largest academic medical center through its deep partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. RWJUH is the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and other Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, orthopedics, bariatric surgery and women’s and children’s care including The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (www.bmsch.org). A Level 1 Trauma Center and the first designated Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness. Learn more at www.rwjbh.org/newbrunswick
RWJUH has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety, including the prestigious Magnet® Recognition for Nursing Excellence and being named to Newsweek’s 2022 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The RWJUH Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center has been recognized by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association as meeting The Joint Commission's standards for Disease-Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center Advanced Certification. RWJUH has also earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Certification for Spine Surgery; The Joint Commission Gold Seal Certification for Bariatric Services; and The Joint Commission Gold Seal Certification for Hip and Knee Replacement services. The Joint Commission also awarded RWJUH a Gold Seal Certification as well as an Advanced Certification in Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Implantation.
Contact: Peter Haigney
RWJUH Public Relations
(732) 937-8568