On September 10, 2013, the University of New Mexico Hospitals (UNM Hospitals) was awarded a two-year certification for its orthopaedic knee and hip replacement programs by The Joint Commission. This independent, not-for-profit organization accredits and certifies U.S. health care organizations and programs. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
Orthopedic joint replacement certification requirements address three specific areas:
1. Compliance with consensus-based national standards.
2. Effective and consistent use of appropriate, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the hip and knee replacement patient population.
3. Collection and analysis of a minimum of four performance measures specific to the hip and knee replacement patient population (a minimum of two performance measures must be clinical in nature.)
