Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care today announced it has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to providing safe and effective care.
The Central Florida hospice agency has more than 800 team members and serves more than 1,300 patients daily across Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. Cornerstone Hospice provides hospice care to patients who may live at home, in an assisted living facility or nursing home, a hospital or in one of Cornerstone Hospices hospice houses or inpatient units.
Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards. Established in 1988, The Joint Commission's Home Care Accreditation Program supports the efforts of its accredited organizations to help deliver safe, high quality care and services.
Cornerstone Hospice underwent a rigorous onsite survey in March 2017. During the survey, compliance with hospice care standards reflecting key organizational areas was evaluated, including the provision of care, treatment and services, emergency management, human resources, individual rights and responsibilities, and leadership. The accreditation process also provided Cornerstone Hospice with education and guidance to help staff continue to improve its hospice program's performance.
"When individuals engage a hospice provider they want to be sure that provider delivers safe, quality care," said Margherita Labson, RN, MS, executive director, Home Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. "As the home care setting becomes increasingly popular, accreditation by The Joint Commission serves as an important indication that the organization has demonstrated compliance to these recognized standards of patient care."
"Cornerstone Hospice is pleased to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation," added Chuck Lee, President and CEO. "Staff from across our organization continue to work together to strengthen the continuum of care and to deliver and maintain optimal home care services for those in our community."
The Joint Commission's standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, home care providers and researchers, as well as industry experts, purchasers and consumers. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.
