Galax, Virginia – By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission‘s national standards for health care quality and safety, Twin County Regional Hospital (TCRH), Twin County Regional Home Health & Twin County Hospice has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.

“We sought accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patients’ safety and quality care,” says Jon D. Applebaum, President and CEO of Twin County Regional Hospital. “We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence.”

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of Twin County Regional Hospital, Twin County Regional Home Health and Twin County Hospice on the week of June 9, 2008. The commission reviews safety and quality matters for hospital who voluntarily seek accreditation.  The accreditation award recognizes TCRH’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 more than 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.