Dateline DFCI
Joint Commission accreditation survey highlights competence and compassion of staff members
The accreditation team that visited Dana-Farber last spring both gave and received. It gave the Institute high marks for its commitment to excellent and compassionate patient care, and it received volumes of information to share with others.
The May 1–3 site visit by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) yielded a score of 95. This figure is considered superb among hospitals reviewed nationally, especially at a time when the Joint Commission has been toughening its process and awarding lower scores overall.
Beyond the numerical grade, the evaluators' praise for the open communication, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and patient-safety leadership at DFCI left staff members feeling heartened.
"The two surveyors were very impressed with the interactions they witnessed among clinicians, patients, their families, board members, volunteers, support staff, administrative staff, and leaders," noted DFCI President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD. "They want to share copies of the projects, policies, practices, and approaches that we have worked on with others around the country."
During their three-day visit, the JCAHO team members toured outpatient care areas at Dana-Farber and oncology inpatient units at Brigham and Women's Hospital. They inspected medical records, checked safety procedures, and met with Institute trustees, patients, and staff from such areas as Pharmacy, Radiation Oncology, the Jimmy Fund Clinic, and Human Resources.
At the closing presentation, surveyor Robert Kaufman, MD, lauded employees for the "candor, competence, and compassion you display for your hospital and your patients. We have rated you on hundreds of standards, and you have more than met the challenge."
