Waco, TX – Providence Healthcare Network has achieved accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as a result of its demonstrated compliance with the Joint Commission’s nationally recognized health care standards.

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation’s health care through voluntary accreditation. The Joint Commission’s on-site survey of Providence Healthcare Network occurred in October 2002.

Providence Healthcare Network was required to meet standards addressing the rights and responsibilities of persons enrolled in the network; organization ethics; providing a continuum of care; educating and communicating with enrollees; leadership; human resources; management of information; and improving network performance.

Kent Keahey, President of Providence Healthcare Network, says Joint Commission accreditation shows that “we are making quality a top priority. The accreditation process has strengthened our ongoing efforts to improve care for our members. We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward excellence.”

Keahey notes that accreditation is attainable only through the cooperation and communication among the independent practitioners, the component delivery sites and the network central office staff. “Everyone plays a vital role in meeting the standards. Providing high quality care is a team effort. According to our surveyors, these results would place us in probably the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation. This is truly an accomplishment of which we can all be proud.”