SSMH Earned Swing Bed Accreditation by The Joint Commission

Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital (SSMH) is pleased to announce that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation Swing Bed Program by demonstrating compliance with its performance standards.

The Gold Seal of Approval reflects SSMH’s commitment to providing safe and effective care for our patients.

SSMH underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in early December 2015. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated SSMH for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of swing-bed patients. The surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

“As the tribal health care facility for the North Slope, SSMH is pleased to receive this accreditation from The Joint Commission. I would like to thank all of the staff who worked hard to make this possible,” Richard Hall, SSMH Hospital Administrator said.

As the only critical access hospital on the North Slope, the Swing Bed Program will allow SSMH to provide acute care hospitalization care and support, such as post-surgery physical therapy in Barrow rather than at an outside facility.

“We continue to meet the highest standards of excellence within health care, with a goal to expand our services and increase access within our region.” said Richard Hall.

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.