Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital held an open house to share information with the community about the Gold Seal its earned for its Spinal Surgery and Joint Replacement program.

Henry Mayo celebrated a Gold Seal of Approval for its Spine Surgery and Joint Replacement program during an open house Wednesday.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital now touts itself as being a Center of Excellence in four disease-specific areas: knee, shoulder, hip replacement and spine surgery.

Henry Mayo staffers earned their most recent distinction, for its spinal surgeries and joint replacements, by undergoing a rigorous on-site review, according to hospital officials.

“Joint Commission certification provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence,” said Pam Geyer, Spine and Joint Program Manager at Henry Mayo. “Achieving this certification is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”

A Joint Commission expert evaluated the hospital for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

One key to excellence is a pre-surgery patient education class. Staffed with a dedicated nurse navigator and a physical therapist, the class has an impressive 92 percent attendance rate, well above the industry standard.

“We talk about how to prepare for hospitalization and about the surgery itself, with examples of the newest implant technology that patients can look at and hold, as well as how to care for themselves after discharge,” Geyer said. “The more prepared a patient is for the hospital experience equates to a greater opportunity for a positive outcome.”

Henry Mayo’s Joint Replacement and Spine Surgery Center also offers the latest in implant technology and minimally invasive procedures. “Our staff is comprised of highly skilled and recognized surgeons, yet we still have that community touch. Your expert surgeon will also manage your case,” Geyer said.

The idea to become a Center of Excellence came into inception eight years ago and working together was crucial to making it a reality, Geyer said.

“A project of this magnitude cannot happen without major effort,” she said. “I credit a fantastic team, including Dr. Charles Young as the Medical Chair, as well as incredible executive leadership. Henry Mayo’s CEO Roger Seaver has been a strong supporter of this program.”