HOSPICE OF CITRUS COUNTY AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM JOINT COMMISSION

Beverly Hills, FL – 12/17/05 - By demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s national standards for health care quality and safety, Hospice of Citrus County has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation. Hospice of Citrus County, which provides Hospice & Grief Support Services, received the accreditation award after the Joint Commission found that it had demonstrated compliance with the Joint Commission's national standards for home care organizations. The on-site survey occurred in early December.

"In becoming accredited, Hospice of Citrus County was evaluated against a set of national standards by a Joint Commission surveyor experienced in the delivery of hospice services," says Maryanne Popovich, R.N., M.P.H., executive director, Home Care Accreditation Program, Joint Commission. "Achieving accreditation demonstrates Hospice of Citrus County’s commitment to provide high quality and safe care to its patients."

Anthony J. Palumbo, CEO of Hospice of Citrus County, says Joint Commission accreditation shows that "we make a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. We seek accreditation for our organization because we want to be the best and we view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward excellence."

He notes that accreditation is attainable only through the cooperation and communication among staff members. "Everyone here at Hospice of Citrus County plays a valuable role in working to meet the standards. I think it gives them a feeling of prestige to work in an accredited organization," says Palumbo. "They also appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the Joint Commission Team."