Shady Grove Earns National Certification from The Joint Commission for Shoulder Replacements

Designation reflects quality care for surgery patients

Rockville, Maryland – Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center has been awarded The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for its quality standards in the surgical replacement of shoulder joints.

Shady Grove is one of 49 programs in the U.S. and the first in the D.C. region of Maryland to earn the certification, which is recognized nationwide as a symbol of exceptional care. Certification demonstrates the hospital’s continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s standards for health-care quality and safety for surgical patients.

"This certification shows ongoing commitment of our orthopedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists and other caregivers to provide the highest quality care for our joint replacement patients," said Dan Cochran, president of Shady Grove Medical Center.

Shady Grove also holds The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® for total hip and knee replacement surgery.

The shoulder replacement program earned the Gold Seal after undergoing a rigorous on-site review of its care processes. Surveyors looked at Shady Grove’s infection prevention measures, leadership and medication management for shoulder replacement patients.

"Earning this certification is an amazing accomplishment," said Craig Miller, MD, Medical Director of the Total Joint Center of Excellence at Shady Grove Medical Center. "We were the first hospital in the Washington, D.C., region to perform computer navigated total shoulder replacements. Now we are the first in our area to be certified for total shoulder replacement by The Joint Commission. This recognition is seen as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to improvement and to meeting state-of-the-art performance standards."

Patients who undergo joint replacement at Shady Grove Medical Center receive comprehensive care that begins before surgery with a free class to help them understand what to expect. After surgery, patients recover in private rooms on a dedicated orthopedic unit. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons perform an average of 700 joint replacements a year at the hospital. Shady Grove’s shoulder replacement capabilities include ExactechGPS®, a technology that allows surgeons enhanced planning for a more precise placement of joints.