Bingham Memorial Hospital today announced that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Laboratory Services Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. This is the highest consideration granted by the Joint Commission, and represents Bingham Memorial’s efforts to continuously provide safe, high-quality and effective patient care.

Bingham Memorial Hospital Laboratory underwent a rigorous, multi-day evaluation and inspection in 2014. During the review, a Joint Commission expert surveyor assessed compliance with laboratory standards related to several areas, including document and process control, healthcare-associated conditions, risk reduction, and staff qualifications and competency. The surveyor also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

“The Joint Commission concentrates on operational systems that are critical to the safety and quality of patient care,” says Steve Williams, laboratory director at Bingham Memorial Hospital. “The survey process evaluates actual patient care processes by looking at the care, treatment, and services provided in the Bingham Memorial Hospital Laboratory.”

The Joint Commission also certifies that a laboratory meets and/or exceeds all federal laws and regulations and is approved to test and bill for highly complex medical tests. “We are extremely pleased to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier healthcare quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” says Mr. Williams. “It’s like the good housekeeping seal of approval for laboratories and hospitals.”

Fewer hospital labs obtain this accreditation due to cost and compliance complexities, and it’s extremely rare for a physician office laboratory to receive this high accreditation. The Joint Commission is a voluntary inspection, and forward-thinking healthcare organizations such as Bingham Memorial use inspections by the Joint Commission to stimulate improvement efforts in healthcare quality and patient safety and to help support operational efficiencies.

“Achieving this accreditation means we have met the highest standards for laboratory medicine,” says Mr. Williams. “Our accreditation enables us to continue moving forward with confidence in our endeavor to provide the highest quality of services. Our patients can be assured the results they receive have been done accurately and precisely.”

“We work hard every day at Bingham Memorial to provide the highest standard of care for our patients,” says Louis Kraml, CEO of Bingham Memorial Hospital. “By obtaining our Joint Commission Accreditation we demonstrate our commitment to our patients and the care they receive at our hospital.”

About Bingham Memorial Hospital
Bingham Memorial Hospital is a 501(c)3 non-profit critical access hospital located in Blackfoot, Idaho. Bingham Memorial Hospital is committed to the pursuit of excellence in our endeavor to provide a continuum of quality, compassionate, healthcare services for residents and visitors to east Idaho, in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. They have healthcare facilities in Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Shelley, and Soda Springs, Idaho. For more information, visit https://binghamhealthcare.org or call (208) 785-4100.

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve healthcare for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

Media Contact:

Paul Kotter

Director of Public Relations & Marketing

98 Poplar Street

Blackfoot, ID 83221

208.785.3858 – 208.782.2864 (fax)

[email protected]