Red Lake IHS Hospital and Ponemah Clinic Awarded Accreditation from the Joint Commission

Red Lake, Minnesota January 20, 2012 – The Red Lake IHS Hospital and Ponemah Clinic has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes Red Lake IHS Indian Hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards.

The Red Lake IHS Hospital and Ponemah Clinic underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in October 2011.

A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management. "In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Red Lake IHS Hospital/ Ponemah Clinic has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients," says Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., executive director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission. "Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend the Red Lake IHS/ Ponemah Clinic

for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves."

'With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day

basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our

organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence," says Mark Karzon, Chief Executive Officer-Red Lake IHS Hospital. "Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide."

The Joint Commission's hospital standards address important functions relating to the care of patients

and the management of hospitals. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts,

providers, measurement experts and patients.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in

collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest

standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at

http://www.jointcommission.org.