For the past 49 years, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health care Organizations has worked to set the standard of quality care in our country.

Saturday, March 25, 2000

For the past 49 years, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health care Organizations has worked to set the standard of quality care in our country.

Two Lawrence County health care organizations bear the Joint Commission’s stamp of approval, and each of us should take comfort in knowing we have an extremely high quality of medical care right here at home.

The Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization (CAO) recently received accreditation through the Joint Commission for its ambulatory care offices. These clinics are the first out-patient offices in Lawrence County to receive this type of accreditation.

"Our staff is and has been very supportive of the process," said Tony Crowe, the CAO’s director of health services. "I think it gives all of us a feeling of prestige to work in an accredited organization, especially in light of our score. We achieved a score of 95 out of a possible 100, and only 15 to 20 percent of ambulatory care centers nationwide surveyed by the Joint Commission received a score this high. We are very proud to be one of them."

Gail Feinberg, D.O., is the CAO’s medical director.

The CAO currently operates primary care medicine and family practice in Ironton, Coal Grove, South Point and Chesapeake.

River Valley Health System has been accredited by the Joint Commission for years, and this past week, Joint Commission representatives were in Ironton to conduct an on-site survey. The on-site survey is done every other year.

Just as the CAO’s clinics received approval with flying colors, we have no doubt that River Valley Health System will continue to receive the Joint Commission’s highest ratings when the results of last week’s work are compiled.

What all this means is that at both the CAO and RVHS, we have a group of highly trained, quality care givers who believe that excellence is a way of life.

Their dedication and commitment to quality care are more than just impressive. They demonstrate a strong belief in our area and our people.

Congratulations to all at the CAO and RVHS who participated in the accreditation process.

Jennifer Allen is publisher of The Ironton Tribune.