Joint Commission score: 97

The preliminary score of 96 was later appealed and one additional point was awarded for adding the necessary wording to the medical staff by-laws. This is the highest score ever earned by NHRMC.

Jan. 17, 2003

At a time when average survey scores in the nation are dropping, New Hanover Regional Medical Center received a preliminary score of 96 on its Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations survey Friday afternoon.

The score is the highest for either New Hanover Regional or Cape Fear Hospital, topping the 92 from December 1999, the first survey as a merged hospital.

Board Chairman Dr. Howard Armistead expressed his thanks and praised the hospital’s performance, as did Board member Gayle van Velsor.  “This feels as good as it can feel and I thank you,” said Charles Wells, the trustee member with the longest tenure on the board.

Surveyors offered numerous compliments during Friday’s summary session and used words such as, “superb,” “outstanding” and “leading edge,” to describe their impressions of clinical care and programs and services.  Some said areas of the medical center surpassed anything they had seen in nine years as a surveyor.

The Joint Commission survey is considered the “gold standard” in the hospital industry. The survey team reviewed NHRMC’s services, building and staff on more than 500 standards. A positive score indicates for patients, visitors and the community that the hospital is following industry standards designed to protect patients and produce quality outcomes.

JCAHO indicated two “Type One” corrections that will demand immediate action, compared to five Type Ones three years ago. One involved changing the medical staff bylaws to require that cause be given before physicians can remove anyone in medical leadership. The medical center is already in the process of supplying additional information that may alter that JCAHO finding.

JCAHO also noted four “supplemental findings.”  The supplemental findings are relatively minor and can easily be remedied.  They range from disconnecting the hot water tap on an eyewash basin to documenting that shields in lead aprons are regularly inspected.

An official score is expected in about six weeks.

Dr. Atkinson announced the score Friday afternoon to the medical center’s management.

“I couldn’t be prouder of what you’ve done,” he said.