URI is one of only 25 college health service centers in the country recognized by the JCAHO.
“We sought this for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to our students,” said Chad Henderson, who has been the Director of Health Services since 1997. He said that 58 percent of full-time URI students visited Health Services at least once last year.
“This accomplishment is a credit to the entire staff and reflects the professionalism and dedication to their work,” said Henderson. “The people who work here are committed to doing a great job, but it’s nice when an outside source recognizes it.”
Last October, two members of the Joint Commission were invited to URI and spent two days surveying and shadowing students, reviewing facility records, and evaluating the quality of patient care. The accreditation must be renewed every three years, and surveyors are allowed to visit at random to ensure the standards are upheld.
“Our goal is to always be ready for an inspection by consistently following the Joint Commission’s requirements,” said Henderson.
The certificate of accreditation will be displayed in the facility’s waiting room. This accreditation period ends October 21, 2008.
The JCAHO is the nation’s oldest and largest standard-setting and accrediting body in health care. Since 1951, it has sought to improve the safety and quality of health care provided to the public. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. It is the primary accrediting agency for major hospitals across the country. For more information, please contact Chad Henderson at 401-874-4756.