February 24, 2020

TriHealth announced that two of its hospital organizations, Bethesda North Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital, have again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Inpatient Diabetes Care. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. There are less than 100 hospitals across the country that hold this status.

Both Bethesda North and Good Samaritan Hospitals underwent separate rigorous on-site reviews in February. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with national disease-specific care standards as well as with inpatient diabetes-specific requirements. Clinical practice guidelines and performance measures also were assessed.

Established in 2006 and awarded for a two-year period, The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification in Inpatient Diabetes Care is based on the American Diabetes Association’s Clinical Practice Recommendations and addresses standards related to:

• Staff education requirements,
• Written blood glucose monitoring protocols,
• Plans for the treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia,
• Data collection of incidences of hypoglycemia,
• Patient education on self-management of diabetes, and
• An identified program champion or program champion team.

The surveyor stated the collaboration of the diabetes management teams is clear across the system and strengthens the program.

The achievement of this certification is the result of a multidisciplinary collaborative effort across specialties and hospitals to standardize care so that every diabetic patient in every hospital location receives optimal care, every time. The TriHealth Inpatient Diabetes Management Committee, led by Lindsey Neese, CNS and Elissa Pleshinger, CNP, focused their efforts on glycemic extremes. Because inpatient hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are associated with both negative clinical and economic outcomes, it is critical to devise a system approach to improving the quality and safety of inpatient management of diabetes. "Our dedicated diabetes teams have worked hard to develop processes that optimize the care of Trihealth's diabetic patients. The rest of our inpatient care team members benefit from their expertise as we ingrain these tactics," says Dr. Janee Bey, System Chief of Inpatient Medicine.

This makes me happy. My brother Les Clark RN worked in the early years at Good Samaritan Hospital as a Diabetes Educator. He also had Type One Diabetes and he was very proud of his job. Thank you to the team who helps so many people with Diabetes.
Posted by: Wendy Clark on February 26, 2020
Reply/View Reply

Great job inpatient diabetes team!
Posted by: Julie Wanstrath on February 26, 2020
Reply/View Reply

Great job for those who need help with their diabetes.
Posted by: Carol Mayborg on February 26, 2020
Reply/View Reply

Great Job Team!
Posted by: Lindsey Neese on February 25, 2020
Reply/View Reply