UNANNOUNCED VISIT
The Joint Commission Visits Stephens County Hospital

TOCCOA, GA – A collective sigh of relief from Stephens County Hospital was almost audible on Thursday evening. The Joint Commission survey was over. “Unlike past surveys, the Joint Commission no longer announces when they are coming to a hospital. We knew they were coming sometime between January and December of 2008 – we just didn’t know when.”, said Ed Gambrell, Hospital Administrator. Three surveyors arrived at approximately 7:30 AM on Tuesday morning unannounced and ready to begin the survey process among the clinical laboratory, outpatient, inpatient and engineering departments.

Accreditation is voluntary but extremely important to Stephens County Hospital as it provides national quality and safety standards as well as access to a number of insurance companies. It is also considered the “gold standard” for organizational quality of care issues and the safety of the environment in which patient care is provided. Stephens County Hospital has long held Joint Commission accreditation.

“This survey team was probably the most thorough I have ever encountered and this survey was probably the most challenging I have had. The good news is that we passed our survey and will be re-accredited for three additional years.”, said Gambrell. “The surveyors were extremely impressed with our medication reconciliation process as well as our emergency planning and pandemic flu efforts. They interacted with many of our employees, physicians and patients and were very impressed. I thank everyone for their hard work and effort.”