Pathway to Excellence: One Institution's Experience Obtaining the Joint Commission's Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Certification

• Published in: Orthopaedic nursing Vol. 43; no. 5; p. 270
• Main Authors: Pelkowski, Jessica N, Traverse, Jennifer M, Owen, Jr, Ronnie N, Meeusen, Lindsay L, Santoro, Michelle C, Ledford, Cameron K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - standards; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - standards; Certification; Humans; Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; Quality of Health Care - standards; United States; United States
• ISSN: 1542-538X
• DOI: 10.1097/NOR.0000000000001056

As the prevalence of total hip and total knee arthroplasty procedures increase over the next decades, hospitals seek opportunities to improve quality outcomes while simultaneously limiting costs and mitigating risks of complications. The Joint Commission's Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement (THKR) certification is one of the highest quality standard certification programs in the nation and is the only one that collaborates with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. To obtain THKR certification, several requirements based on evidence-based clinical practice guidelines must be met. The process is described from initial identification of stakeholders to ongoing efforts to retain certification. Joint Commission THKR certification was awarded after rigorous review and on-site visit. Compliance with advanced care standards from the time of orthopedic consultation through postsurgical follow-up was reviewed. Joint Commission THKR certification provides supporting evidence of the institutions journey in processes toward delivering high quality clinical care. A multidisciplinary team with ongoing collaboration is necessary to obtain and retain certification.