(New Brunswick, NJ) – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Specific Care Re-Certification for Spine Surgery by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. This is the second consecutive Gold Seal certification achieved by the RWJUH spine surgery program.
The Gold Seal certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for Spine Surgery. 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.
RWJUH underwent a rigorous, onsite review in June. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers 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. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“We are pleased that the Joint Commission has recognized our multidisciplinary Spine Surgery Team for the expert care that they provide,” said Charles Gatt, MD, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, RWJUH and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “Achieving this re-certification is the direct result of the strong collaboration and a shared commitment to providing the highest-quality patient care that exists among our Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, Anesthesia and Nursing teams.”
“Earning the Gold Seal of Approval for Spine Surgery is important because it assures patients that our Orthopedic-spine and Neuro-spine surgery programs are dedicated to the highest standard of care to achieve excellent patient outcomes,” said Bill Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of RWJUH.
The RWJUH Orthopedic and Neurosurgical clinical teams prepared for the certification process by highlighting examples of team collaboration, innovative staff education modules that incorporate fun into learning and their extensive pain management program.
“Spine Surgery Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend RWJUH for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.
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 The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a nationally-ranked 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, orthopedics, bariatric surgery and women’s health. 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. or www.bmsch.org
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 2023 list of Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers. 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