Austin, Texas — St. David’s Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hepatobiliary-Pancreas Cancer Center of Excellence Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to advancing cancer care for patients with biliary, pancreas or liver cancers,” Todd Steward, chief executive officer of St. David’s Medical Center, said. “Our physicians, nurses and staff put the patient at the heart of everything they do, from educating them about what to expect during their treatment to the support they receive during each stage of their care. This increases survivability and results in optimal patient outcomes.”
The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. The certification recognizes healthcare organizations that provide clinical programs across the continuum of care for biliary, pancreas or liver cancers. It evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.
“We are dedicated to providing high-quality, leading-edge cancer care, and we are pleased to see this prestigious designation validate our work in treating hepatobiliary cancers,” Shaun McKenzie, M.D., F.A.C.S., medical director of surgical oncology at St. David’s Medical Center and a surgical oncologist at Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists, said. “Guided by nationally recognized best practices for this specialty, we are increasing the level and quality of care available to patients here in Central Texas.”
To achieve this designation, St. David’s Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site visit during which a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated the hospital’s compliance with related certification standards, which are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
For more information, visit JointCommission.org