For Immediate Release
Date: December 31, 2024
Contact: John Rader
Phone: (760) 957-3340
BARSTOW, CALIF., Dec. 31, 2024 – Barstow Community Hospital recently earned The Joint Commission’s (TJC’s) Gold Seal of Approval® for Sepsis Disease-Specific Care Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards.
Sepsis, a life-threatening infection, kills about 250,000 people per year in the U.S. The Gold Seal recognizes a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe, quality patient care.
“Achieving the TJC Sepsis Disease-Specific Care Certification is a testament to our team’s commitment to patient safety and culture of continuous improvement,” said Adam Loris, CEO of Barstow Community Hospital. “We are proud to be distinguished as a hospital that is making a real difference in saving lives with early detection and rapid initiation of treatment.”
Barstow Community Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review in October. During the visit, a team of TJC reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards. 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.
“Sepsis Disease-Specific Care Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Barstow Community Hospital for using the TJC 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.”
“We have standardized our sepsis processes to reduce variation and risk to improve outcomes,” said Amy Pullen, Senior Quality Director at Barstow Community Hospital. “We are proud to show our community that we are providing safe, quality healthcare as recognized by independent accrediting bodies like the TJC.”
Through ongoing education and monitoring key metrics, Pullen highlighted Barstow Community Hospital’s focus on early sepsis recognition. These include rapid lactic acid testing, early blood cultures, and swift administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and IV fluids can save lives, reduce illness severity, shorten hospital stays, and improve patient outcomes.
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.