By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety, Harford Memorial Hospital and Upper Chesapeake Medical Center both earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval^TM.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation. The Joint Commission's on-site survey occurred in February 2007.

"Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide improvement in an organization's performance and the outcomes of care," says Darlene Christiansen, executive director, Hospital Accreditation Program, Joint Commission. "The community should be proud that the hospital of Upper Chesapeake Health are focusing on the most challenging goal -- to continuously raise quality and safety to higher levels."

Lyle E. Sheldon, FACHE, President and CEO of UCH spoke of his pride in a staff whose team members ask what needs to be done to be accredited by The Joint Commission. "In addition, they appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the team of surveyors."

He called the accreditation, "proof of an organization-wide commitment to provide quality care on an ongoing basis."

For more information, contact www.jcaho.org.