Ogeechee Area Hospice has long been a pillar of exceptional care in our community. From its inception as the area’s only hospice service to becoming the only non-profit hospice with an inpatient center funded by community donations, Ogeechee Area Hospice has continually set itself apart.
Vanessa Ramirez, Executive Director/Administrator of Ogeechee Area Hospice, expressed pride in the organization's resilience and commitment.
"As time has continued to pass, we have struggled with competition from big conglomerate companies coming into the area. However, we have held strong despite there being over 15 other hospices in the area. Up until this year, we continued to be the only hospice in our service area with an inpatient center," said Ramirez. "As we continue to strive to remain the best, we are now excited to announce that after months of intense review, policy and protocol changes, and hard work and adapting to change, we continue to show our community that the service area’s only non-profit hospice remains unsurpassed by the rest."
The dedication and commitment to high-quality care have earned Ogeechee Area Hospice the prestigious Joint Commission accreditation (JCAHO), making it one of only 21 hospices in Georgia to achieve this recognition.
This places Ogeechee Area Hospice among the elite less than 9% of hospices in the state. Notably, only one other hospice within a 50-mile radius of Statesboro has obtained this prestigious certification, underscoring Ogeechee Area Hospice’s exceptional standards.
The Joint Commission, an independent, non-profit organization, accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States. Its mission is to improve health care for the public by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.
Accreditation by The Joint Commission is a gold seal of approval that an organization meets rigorous performance standards in health care.
To achieve this accreditation, Ogeechee Area Hospice voluntarily underwent a challenging and comprehensive evaluation process. This included an unannounced on-site evaluation by doctors and nurses from The Joint Commission and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). They reviewed how well the hospice provides a safe environment for patient care, educates about diagnosis and treatment options, protects patient rights and confidentiality, evaluates patient conditions, guards against infection, and plans for emergencies.
Achieving The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval signifies Ogeechee Area Hospice’s extraordinary commitment to providing safe, high-quality care and a willingness to be measured against the highest standards of performance.
For patients and their families, this accreditation means choosing a facility with staff dedicated to high-quality, advanced care in a safe environment. It reassures them that Ogeechee Area Hospice not only meets but exceeds quality benchmarks and patient safety standards.
Ogeechee Area Hospice’s accomplishment of receiving The Joint Commission accreditation is a testament to its unwavering dedication to excellence and its mission to provide the highest quality care to the community.
