In recognition of its high standards of care, Wardenburg Health Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder has been re-accredited by the nation's predominant standards-setting healthcare organization.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accredited Wardenburg Health Center in January after review and examination of medical care and outcomes at the clinic. CU-Boulder's campus health center is one of only two Big 12 Conference health centers to receive the prestigious accreditation from JCAHO.
"This accomplishment is something our entire staff and campus community can be proud of," said Wardenburg Health Center Director Robert Cranny. "We want to provide the best health care possible, and the Joint Commission's accreditation shows we're meeting our goals."
Andrea Barsch, sports medicine department manager at Wardenburg and accreditation coordinator, said the JCAHO process isn't a requirement but rather an optional validation of the facility's quality.
"It reflects the commitment we have to high standards of care for the students, faculty and staff at CU-Boulder," Barsch said. "Receiving and maintaining Joint Commission accreditation means that our customers are going to get state-of-the-art healthcare in a safe and confidential environment."
Wardenburg has held JCAHO accreditation since 1983, according to Barsch.
The JCAHO requires facilities to meet specific standards in nine categories, some of which include ethics, rights and responsibilities; provision of care, treatment and services; and surveillance, prevention and control of infection.
Wardenburg Health Center provides a variety of healthcare services
including treatment in primary care, occupational health, allergy, travel clinic, immunization services and minor surgery. Wardenburg also has departments of sports medicine, psychological health and psychiatry, women's health, community health, a dental clinic and diagnostic services such as x-rays and laboratory tests.
The JCAHO is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. JCAHO was created in 1951 and has continuously maintained state-of-the-art standards to focus on improving the quality and safety of care provided by the facilities it reviews.
To remain accredited, organizations must undergo an on-site survey at least every three years. Laboratories are inspected every two years.