Morristown Pharmacy & Homecare receives JCAHO Gold Seal of Approval

Sitting: Donna Davenport, Mary Beth Mazoch, Pam Welch, Lisa Whitacre, Amy Hartman
Standing: Jim Fulton, Wayne Clark, Brian Singleton, Betsy Madison, Cynthia Crooks

Morristown Pharmacy & Homecare in Belmont has successfully completed an unannounced survey and achieved the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations for its Home Medical Equipment Division. Joint Commission accreditation means Morristown Pharmacy & Homecare has demonstrated compliance with national standards for patient safety and quality of care.

"We seek accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patient safety and quality care," says Mary Beth Mazoch, R.Ph., Director. "We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence."

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including approximately 9,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and 8,000 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory, and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation`s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

Morristown Pharmacy & Homecare, which provides the surrounding counties with home medical equipment, supplies, respiratory equipment, orthopedics, and prescription services, received the accreditation award after the Joint Commission found that their Homecare division had demonstrated compliance with national standards. The unannounced, on-site survey occurred in February.

"In becoming accredited, Morristown Pharmacy & Homecare has demonstrated its commitment to provide the highest quality of care to its customers," said Ms. Mazoch. "We have always taken pride in the quality of care we provided to our customers and this accreditation confirms our commitment to excellence within our industry."

Accreditation is attainable only through the cooperation and communication among staff members. Lisa Whitacre, Homecare Business Manager, believes that the outstanding results attained through this accreditation could not have been achieved without the commitment and motivation of a dedicated staff. "Everyone here at Morristown Pharmacy & Homecare plays a valuable role in working toward meeting the standards. We are all proud of our efforts and proud to be working in an accredited organization," said Mrs. Whitacre.