The Joint Commission has certified JPS Health Network to provide Geriatrics Delirium care, making it one of only two healthcare organizations in the country to earn that designation.
Senior citizens are the fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States, according to the American Association of Retired Persons, with the total number of people over the age of 65 expected to increase from 48 million to 79 million over the next 20 years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Worth is no exception. Its population of senior citizens increased 9.1 percent over the past decade and it is expected to continue to rise over the next two decades.
President and CEO Robert Earley said the certification shows how diligently JPS has been working to meet the rapidly-increasing demand for senior healthcare in Tarrant County.
“Because there will continue to be more older adults using our services at JPS, we knew we had to be intentional about our approach to providing high quality care for this growing population,” Earley said. “Managing and preventing this common yet dangerous condition for our older patients is a priority at JPS, and I am thrilled to see our delirium program recognized by The Joint Commission.”
Will Callans, Geriatric Service Line Administrator at JPS, said the process of becoming certified was both rigorous and lengthy. But it was worth it because it will give people who need geriatric care confidence that they’ll be well taken care of at JPS.
“It was really four years in the making,” Callans said. “Receiving this Joint Commission Certification demonstrates JPSs continued commitment to providing high quality care for Tarrant County’s fastest growing segment of the population. Our Delirium Program—which standardizes best clinical practice and aligns those practices with continual process improvement— positions JPS to be a regional leader in the care for our older adults.”
JPS, which is also known as the Tarrant County Hospital District, has been recognized by The Joint Commission in five areas: Its hospital and for Behavioral Health care are accredited by The Joint Commission while the agency has certified JPS for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Sepsis care along with the new Geriatrics Delirium service line.
According to The Joint Commission, the new certification is good for two years, effective until September 2020. The only other healthcare operation in the United States to be certified by The Joint Commission in Geriatrics Delirium care is Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.
An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.