Saint Alphonsus Earns Third Gold Seal of Approval for Inpatient Diabetes Care - Archived

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise Remains the Only Hospital in Idaho Certified in Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care

Boise, ID (October 25, 2013) – Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its inpatient diabetes care program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The award recognizes Saint Alphonsus’ dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards, and represents one of only sixty-seven currently certified hospitals in the nation.

To earn this distinction, Saint Alphonsus’ Inpatient Diabetes Program underwent a rigorous on-site review in September of 2013. A team of Joint Commission expert reviewers evaluated the program for compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as inpatient diabetes care-specific standards, clinical practice guidelines and performance measures. The program at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise currently offers care services including initial assessment, analysis, education, nutrition, consultation with specialists, and community resources.

“What this certification means for patients with diabetes is that Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center meets rigorous standards to control patients’ blood sugars, regardless of whether they are hospitalized for diabetes complications or another reason,” said Julie Foote, MD, Medical Director of the Inpatient Diabetes program. “While this may seem like common sense, it is extremely difficult to maintain blood sugar levels when patients are fighting infections, stressed, or on certain medications. This certification confirms that Saint Alphonsus is providing their patients who are on diabetic medications with superior, individualized care, and that they should have confidence that their special diabetic needs are being met."

Receiving this certification assures that patients with diabetes will be provided with outstanding care, consistent with the national best practice standards. The inpatient diabetes certification program is based on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Clinical Practice Recommendations.

About The Joint Commission


Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also certifies more than 2,400 disease-specific care programs such as stroke, heart failure, joint replacement and stroke rehabilitation, and 400 health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About Saint Alphonsus Health System


Saint Alphonsus Health System is a four-hospital, 714-bed regional, faith-based Catholic ministry with over 4,300 Associates and 950 medical staff. Serving the people of southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada, Saint Alphonsus Health System is comprised of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Boise, Idaho; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa, ID; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario, OR; Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Baker City, OR; and Saint Alphonsus Medical Group, with 35 clinic locations. As a not-for-profit health system, Saint Alphonsus Health System reinvests profits back into the community and works to improve the health and well-being of those we serve by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, innovative and community-based. Saint Alphonsus Health System is a member of Trinity Health, Novi, Michigan. To find out more go to: www.saintalphonsus.org.