Muncie, IN— Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital has recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its healthcare quality and safety. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. This award excludes skilled nursing and nursing home services.
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has consistently received accreditation since the Joint Commission began recognizing health care organizations as a symbol of quality in 1951.
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site survey at the end of 2015, and received accreditation earlier this year. During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. Surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Wall of Certificates including The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®. Photo by: Dawn Fluher
“Team members were put through some very challenging and detailed scenarios and responded with displays of expertise and genuine care for the patient,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bird, CMO/COO at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. “From direct care nursing staff, to ambassadors to maintenance, we were extremely proud of the assurance that our team provided to the surveyors that they excelled at their jobs.”
IU Health Blackford Hospital also received accreditation.
More than 4,000 hospitals currently maintain accreditation from The Joint Commission. Accreditation is awarded for a three-year period. Approximately 360 critical access hospitals maintain accreditation through a separate program.
“IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is pleased to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission,” said Claire Lee, RN, Administrative Director of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital’s Office of Quality and Safety. “Our team members continuously work together to develop and implement approaches that strive to improve the quality of care for our patients.”
The Joint Commission’s hospital standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help hospitals measure, assess and improve performance.
About Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital serves as a tertiary referral center and teaching hospital for East Central Indiana and part of Indiana University Health. IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and maintains 1.2 million square feet of facilities. More than 17,500 patients are admitted every year and more than 310,000 outpatient procedures are completed annually. Michael Haley is President. Learn more at iuhealth.org/ball-memorial.
