SPOKANE—Eastern State Hospital (ESH) has successfully achieved full accreditation by The Joint Commission (TJC) and met the Medicare hospital conditions of participation standards set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
To earn and maintain both TJC accreditation and CMS certification involves a stringent survey process that measures patient safety and quality of care. CMS certification is a mandatory requirement that demonstrates compliance with federal standards. The TJC accreditation is a voluntary process, and the Gold Seal of Approval is considered one way patients, staff and communities know they can expect a standard of excellence synonymous with high-quality psychiatric care. When a facility receives TJC certification, they are typically “deemed” to meet the mandatory CMS certification standard.
“I’m very proud of this achievement,” said hospital CEO Dorothy Sawyer, who thanked everyone who participated in the accreditation process. “Together, we are telling our story that Eastern State Hospital is dedicated to providing excellent patient care in a safe and therapeutic environment.”
“We’re excited for Eastern State Hospital and commend staff for their hard work,” said Carla Reyes, Assistant Secretary of DSHS’s Behavioral Health Administration, which oversees both state psychiatric hospitals. “This is another example of how patient care is paramount in our facilities.”
ESH is one of two state mental hospitals. Western State Hospital (WSH) in Steilacoom, Washington, is working to preserve its CMS certification by fulfilling a Systems Improvement Agreement (SIA) agreed to by the hospital, DSHS and CMS in June 2016. WSH/DSHS postponed the voluntary TJC process at Western to focus first on completing the reforms outlined in the SIA.
“Significant oversight is provided under the terms of our SIA with CMS,” explained Reyes. “CMS approved an independent expert consultant team that we’ve been working with closely. Once we complete the CMS return survey early next year and can show that we’ve met the CMS required Conditions of Participation, we will pursue accreditation with TJC or another accreditation organization in the same fashion Eastern has done.”