VA Loma Linda Earns Recognition from Joint Commission

The Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda was named a “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®” by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. VA Loma Linda was recognized by The Joint Commission for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions. The clinical processes focus on care for heat attack, pneumonia, surgery, asthma, stroke or venous thromboembolism, as well as inpatient psychiatric services. New this year is a category for immunization for pneumonia and influenza. VA Loma Linda is one of only two Veterans Affairs medical centers in California earning the distinction of Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for attaining and sustaining excellence. VA Loma Linda was recognized for its achievement on the following measures: heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care. “We are proud of the medical facilities that have been recognized for demonstrating VA’s commitment to provide the high-quality care our veterans have earned through their service,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This achievement highlights the hard work of our VA medical staff to serve veterans.” To be designated as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures, VA Loma Linda had to: • Achieve cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures. • Achieve performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measures. • And have at least one core measure set that has a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and all applicable individual accountability measures have a performance rate of 95 percent or above. “The Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center and all the Top Performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement and they should be proud of their achievement,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission. “We understand that what matters most to our veteran patients is safe, effective care,” said Barbara Fallen, FACHE, director of the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. “That’s why we have made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes. VA Loma Linda is proud to receive the distinction of being a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures.” In addition to being included in The Joint Commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals” annual report, VA Loma Linda will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website. The Top Performer program will be featured in the December issues of The Joint Commission Perspectives and The Source.