Providence St. Joseph Medical Center awarded Critical Access Hospital Accreditation from The Joint Commission

(Polson, Montana December 9, 2024) – Providence St. Joseph Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for its Critical Access Hospital Accreditation Program by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. 

St. Joseph Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in August 2024. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with standards spanning several areas including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, and rights and responsibilities of the individual. 

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews. 

“We are proud to achieve The Gold Seal® of Approval from The Joint Commission,” said Krissy Petersen, interim administrator for St. Joseph Medical Center. “Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals in the communities of Lake and Flathead Counties. Receiving this is a testament to our team’s dedication, commitment, and hard work.”

Achieving Critical Access Hospital accreditation provides many benefits to the community including improving access to health care in rural communities. It also recognizes St. Joe’s as the foundation for delivering health care in a rural area and creates a transition of care between the hospital and other urban health care systems.

“As a health care accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Providence St. Joseph Medical Center for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients.” 

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.