[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     BAY PINES VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM RECEIVES GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 13, 2007

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I 
rise to report to my colleagues that the Bay Pines VA Healthcare 
System, which I have the privilege to represent, has just been awarded 
The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for meeting rigorous 
national standards for health care quality and safety.
  This award in particular honors the staff, volunteers, and management 
team at Bay Pines for its Behavioral Health Care, Home Care, Long Term 
Care and Hospital programs. The Joint Commission is the Nation's oldest 
and largest health care standards-setting and accrediting body. The 
Gold Seal is the result of The Commission's unannounced, on-site 
evaluation of Bay Pines from April 10th to the 13th.
  Following my remarks, I will include for the benefit of my colleagues 
more information about this award and the standards to which its 
recipients are held.
  Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Mr. Wallace M. Hopkins, the Director of the Bay Pines VA 
Healthcare System, the doctors, the nurses, and the volunteers at Bay 
Pines who are dedicated to caring for our Nation's veterans in a way 
befitting their brave and selfless service to our Nation and to the 
cause of freedom.

  Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Awarded Accreditation From the Joint 
                               Commission

       By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's 
     national standards for health care quality and safety, Bay 
     Pines VA Healthcare System has earned the Joint Commission's 
     Gold Seal of ApprovalTM for its Behavioral Health 
     Care, Home Care, Long Term Care and Hospital programs.
       ``We sought accreditation for our organization because we 
     want to demonstrate our commitment to safety and quality 
     care,'' says Wallace M. Hopkins, FACHE, Director. ``We view 
     obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step 
     toward achieving excellence.''
       ``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 Bay Pines VA Healthcare System 
     is focusing on the most challenging goal--to continuously 
     raise quality and safety to higher levels.''
       Hopkins spoke of his pride in a staff whose 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.''
       The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site 
     evaluation of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System on April 10-13, 
     2007. The accreditation award recognizes Bay Pines VA 
     Healthcare System's dedication to complying with the Joint 
     Commission's state-of-the-art standards on a continuous 
     basis.
       Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously 
     improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public 
     through the provision of health care accreditation and 
     related services that support performance improvement in 
     health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and 
     accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and 
     programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 
     hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 
     other health care organizations that provide long term care, 
     assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and 
     ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits 
     health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed 
     care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides 
     certification of disease-specific care programs, primary 
     stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An 
     independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint 
     Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-
     setting and accrediting body in health care.

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