Southwest General Hospital First in Texas to Receive Certificate of Distinction for Inpatient Diabetes Care

Southwest General Hospital received notification on August 23, 2007 that it became the first inpatient diabetes program in Texas and the third in the United States to earn a Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care from The Joint Commission, the national organization that accredits health care organizations across the United States.

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Southwest General Hospital does the right things and does them well for the hospitalized patient with diabetes,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

Southwest General Hospital voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care it provides. Southwest General Hospital is proud to achieve this distinction and views obtaining the Joint Commission Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpateint Diabetes Care as another step toward achieving excellence.

This certification means that Southwest General Hospital provides the patients with diabetes an opportunity to experience better outcomes because of glycemic management during their hospitalization. The hospital meets rigorous standards established by Joint Commission and the American Diabetes Association to control patient’s blood sugars. The hospital also has specialized tools to maintain tight blood sugar control during hospitalization such as the Glucommander. Diabetes in Bexar County is twice the national average with 202,250 people diagnosed with diabetes and 67,416 who are unaware and undiagnosed.

Southwest General Hospital is a 327-bed acute care hospital located in the southwest quadrant of San Antonio. The hospital provides all major health care services including: 24-hour Emergency services, The BirthPlace, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rehabilitation, Imaging Services, Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Loss, Adult, Geriatric and Partial Hospitalization Psychiatric programs, Total Joint Center, Acute Care and Telemetry, Surgical Services, LTAC unit and Intensive Care Unit.

The Joint Commission has certified Diabetes Outpatient Programs for some time, but launched the advanced inpatient diabetes certification in 2006. The Joint Commission worked closely with the American Diabetes Association to establish extensive protocols that will lead to better outcomes for patients with diabetes regardless of their reason for admission.