BATESVILLE, Miss., July 14, 2009 - Baptist Home Care & Hospice-North Mississippi, located in Batesville, recently became Joint Commission accredited as a freestanding home care and hospice agency.b

The Joint Commission offered no recommendations for changes to be made to the facility’s program, which is a rare result, according to Baptist Home Care and Hospice director Lee Gentry.

“Joint Commission accreditation means the level of care provided meets a very high standard,” she said. “It is an honor and a testament to the expertise of our staff that the Joint Commission had no recommendations for changes to our program.”

The process the agency underwent to become accredited by the Joint Commission involved a four-day survey. The surveyor made several home visits to home care and hospice patients and studied every aspect of the program’s policies, processes, patient care, safety and quality improvement.

“We are committed to holding ourselves to a high standard,” Gentry said. “We work really hard to provide a high level of care, which includes adhering to national patient safety goals, keeping our staff up-to-date on training and making sure our practices adhere to specific standards.”

Baptist Home Care and Hospice offers comprehensive home care and hospice programs throughout 16 North Mississippi counties, ranging from in-home rehabilitation services to comprehensive end-of-life support and care. Registered nurses; certified nursing assistants; medical social workers; chaplains; volunteers; and physical, speech and occupational therapists are available, along with daily home monitoring services through the HomMed Health Monitoring System.

For more information about Baptist Home Care and Hospice-North Mississippi, please call 662-578-8402 or visit northmiss.baptistonline.org/services/home_care.asp.

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