The Joint Commission awards accreditation to Winneshiek Medical Center

The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, has awarded accreditation to Winneshiek Medical Center.

The accreditation covers physician services by Mayo Clinic Health System, including the clinic in Decorah and satellite clinics, Home Health and Hospice, Rehabilitation, Emergency Room and other hospital services.  Winneshiek Medical Center's laboratory was accredited separately in 2013.

A team of Joint Commission surveyors made an unannounced on-site survey in September 2013 to evaluate the hospital's compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. 

The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations.

"Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide," said Winneshiek Medical Center Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven Davis. 

The Joint Commission report about Winneshiek Medical Center is available on-line at: http://www.qualitycheck.org/qualityreport.aspx?hcoid=8243#comparative