The Sickle Cell Program at the OSUCCC – James recently received the nation’s only disease-specific certification for sickle cell from The Joint Commission following a two-day on-site survey that yielded no findings. The certification is typically valid for up to two years.
According to The Joint Commission website, the Disease-Specific Care certification program evaluates clinical programs across the continuum for compliance with Joint Commission requirements. Organizations seeking certification are examined during an onsite survey by reviewers who assess how clinical outcomes and other performance measures are used to identify opportunities for improving care, whether organization leaders commit to improving quality of care, how patients and caregivers are educated and prepared for discharge, and whether evidence-based guidelines for clinical care are incorporated into daily practice.
“I can’t express enough my excitement for the program, staff and most importantly our patients,” wrote Stephanie Cottrill, MHA, BSN, RN, nurse manager for 21 James and interim director of accreditation and compliance at the OSUCCC – James. Payal Desai, MD, associate professor in the Division of Hematology and director of the Ohio State Adult Sickle Cell Program, also expressed excitement and gratitude. “This is an incredible moment not just for The James, but for the entire sickle cell community,” Desai says. “We get to set the example nationally to move the field forward.”