Ministry St. Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander has earned a top rating from a group surveying hospitals for quality of performance.
The non-profit Joint Commission gave the hospital its Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation.
Hospital spokesperson Sue Klemm says Joint Commission is the nation's oldest standard setting and accreditation body in health care....
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"....they set some very high standards that provide for quality for the staff and the patients we serve. They come unannounced every three years and do a survey to see if we are meeting those standards...."
Klemm says the rating shows the public the hospital is meeting highest standards according to an outside group. The survey team includes nursing leaders, engineers and building maintenance, and she says it also includes reviewing how they educate and work with patients, including patients rights. That also includes proper infection control and also planning for emergencies. Klemm says state and federal agencies look closely at the Joint Commission approval.
The accreditation is for three years
