Elizabeth Hospice earns 'Gold Seal of Approval' from The Joint Commission

San Diego – The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that certifies and accredits health care institutions across the United States, has awarded its Gold Seal of Approval to The Elizabeth Hospice. The Elizabeth Hospice received Joint Commission Accreditation “deemed status” which demonstrates that The Elizabeth Hospice exceeds Medicare and Medicaid requirements and has met the higher quality standards set forth by The Joint Commission. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is a recognizable symbol that shows a commitment to quality and dedication to excellence.

“The Elizabeth Hospice was evaluated against a set of national standards by a team of Joint Commission surveyors experienced in hospice services,” Jan Jones, president and CEO of The Elizabeth Hospice, said. “Accreditation is a voluntary process, and I am proud of our organization for undertaking this challenge to execute the highest standard of care. We have achieved a symbol of quality that reflects our dedication to provide quality health care for every patient.”

More than 1,400 hospice programs out of 4,000 in the United States currently maintain accreditation by The Joint Commission with approximately 1,000 receiving deemed status. The Joint Commission’s hospice standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, hospice providers and researchers, as well as industry experts and consumers. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

“Joint Commission accredited hospices demonstrate their deep abiding commitment to quality end-of-life care,” Margherita Labson, executive director of the Home Care Accreditation Program for the The Joint Commission, said. “We commend The Elizabeth Hospice for achieving this accreditation to inspire the highest level of care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the hospice setting.”