LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s clinical laboratory 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 laboratories.

The accreditation award recognizes Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.

Sutter Lakeside’s Clinical Laboratory underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in March.

A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated Sutter Lakeside Hospital for compliance with standards of care that directly affect the quality and safety of diagnostic services and patient care.

"In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Clinical Laboratory has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients," said Jennifer Rhamy, M.B.A., M.A., M.T. (ASCP) SBB, HP, executive director, Laboratory Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend Sutter Lakeside Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

"Achieving Joint Commission accreditation is another demonstration of our commitment to providing the highest levels of quality and safety at Sutter Lakeside,” said Siri Nelson, Sutter Lakeside Hospital chief administrative officer. “Patients are always our first priority. This accreditation validates that we are creating a culture of excellence. Our Clinical Laboratory provides a vital service to Lake County, as it remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides our clinicians with over 70 percent of our diagnoses. Achieving Joint Commission accreditation is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide to our community.”

The Sutter Lakeside Hospital Clinical Lab expanded its services this week by implementing a new rapid in-house test for the detection of Clostridium difficile (C.Diff) glutamate dehydrogenase antigen, toxins A and B to aid in the diagnosis of C. difficile disease.  

“C. diff is highly contagious and can compromise a patient’s immune system,” said laboratory manager Hetty Tulloss. “Early detection makes speedy intervention possible. This new test enables us to efficiently identify and treat patients with C. diff and reduces the risk of the disease being spread to other patients and staff.”

The Joint Commission has been evaluating and accrediting laboratory services since 1979. Today, The Joint Commission accredits almost 2,000 organizations providing laboratory services.

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 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, 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 www.jointcommission.org .

To learn more about Sutter Lakeside, please visit www.sutterlakeside.org/ .