OMAHA, Neb. - Alegent Creighton Health Creighton University Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in the country recognized by the Joint Commission for its management of orthopedic trauma.

CUMC earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval by demonstrating compliance with the commission's national standards for healthcare quality and safety in disease-specific care.

Justin Siebler, M.D., an orthopedic traumatologist, said earning the recognition involved 12 months of work and demonstrates CUMC's commitment to quality and the measurement of services. Some of the measures considered by the Joint Commission included whether the patient's pain was adequately controlled and whether he or she received therapy in a timely manner.

Dr. Siebler said the CUMC team has been measuring its work against the Joint Commission standards for some time: "This formal designation confirms the work - and measuring - we have been doing to provide the best care for our patients we can."

A multidisciplinary team at CUMC oversaw a number of staff training activities while developing a standardized evidence-based orthopedic trauma order set, along with many other process improvement projects. Orthopedic Nurse Navigator Beth Gard said, "We wanted everyone trained specifically in the care of the orthopedic trauma patient." She said the multidisciplinary team takes real pride in the patients' care. She hopes CUMC's achievement serves as an example to other trauma facilities.

As part of the certification, CUMC underwent a rigorous on-site review in November. A Joint Commission expert interviewed staff and patients and evaluated CUMC for compliance with standards of care, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. Along with its Gold Seal of Approval for orthopedic trauma, CUMC also received certificates of distinction for its management of knee and hip replacement.

About Alegent Creighton Health
With a commitment to providing high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience, Alegent Creighton Health physicians and employees are focused on caring for the body, mind and spirit of every person. Patients find a continuum of care at Alegent Creighton Health, from primary care through geriatrics. Sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), Alegent Creighton Health is the largest not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare provider in Nebraska and southwest Iowa with 11 acute care hospitals, a specialty spine hospital, freestanding inpatient psychiatric and skilled nursing facilities and more than 100 Alegent Creighton Clinic locations. As the primary teaching partner of Creighton University's health sciences schools, Alegent Creighton Health and Alegent Creighton Clinic are committed to teaching the health professionals of the future. For more information about Alegent Creighton Health, visit AlegentCreighton.com.