Hackensack University Medical Center’s Hospital Earns the Most Certifications of Any Hospital in the Nation

The Prematurity program certification is the hospital’s 28th certification from The Joint Commission

Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center first hospital in New Jersey to earn this designation

Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center announced today that it earned its 28th The Joint Commission (TJC) Disease Specific Care (DSC) certification, marking the most certifications of any hospital in the nation. TJC awarded the Prematurity program at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center with the DSC certification after a rigorous review process. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is the first hospital in the state of New Jersey to earn this esteemed designation.

“The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal® is a symbol of Hackensack University Medical Center’s strong culture and commitment to achieving clinical excellence,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center and executive vice president of Population Health, Hackensack Meridian Health. “I want to congratulate our Prematurity program team members at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital for their diligent efforts and dedication on becoming the first hospital in New Jersey to earn this important designation. We look forward to leading the way in providing excellent, safe care for our patients.”

The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal® reflects the organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. This is the initial Prematurity program certification at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. The Prematurity program is a multidisciplinary team committed to improving the care and outcomes in preterm infants less than 30 weeks. Any infant born less than 30 weeks is at the highest risk for developing complications related to prematurity.

“Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center’s Prematurity program is dedicated to providing family-centered, compassionate, state-of-the-art care to the patients and families we serve in the neonatal intensive care unit,” said Judy Aschner, MD, Chair of Pediatrics, Physician- in-Chief of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and Clinical Director of the Children’s Care Transformation Services, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our hospital is a leader in providing excellent care for women and children, and we have unparalleled expertise in delivering and caring for premature infants and sick newborns. This latest recognition from The Joint Commission represents our mission to raise the standard of patient care and safety for our tiniest patients.”

Surveys studied patient outcomes, team member and patient interviews, and policy and procedure review. The surveyor noted that Hackensack University Medical Center has the most program certifications she has ever seen and complimented the organization’s strong culture of safety. She complimented the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses and physicians on being extremely caring and thorough. She observed that the neonatal team members were engaged and communicated effectively with patient’s families and noted that feedback from patient families was very positive. The surveyor also shared that the children’s hospital leadership and Prematurity team – Sabrina Malik, MD, Neonatology; Benjamin C. Planer, MD, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine; and Krystyna Toczylowski, RN, MSN, BCLC, Clinical Nurse Specialist – are dedicated to quality and improvement.

“The Neonatal team is dedicated to quality improvement and providing the best care for our patients,” said Sabrina Malik, MD, Neonatologist and Chair of the Prematurity Program, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a Level III Regional NICU with advanced care capabilities, along with skilled specialists, to care for sick and critically ill and premature babies. The Neonatal team includes physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and respiratory therapists all with specialized neonatal training and exceptional experience caring for neonates of all gestational ages. The team has been a long-standing member of the Vermont Oxford Network and New Jersey State Collaborative and has been recognized for its commitment to improving neonatal outcomes. The team has implemented protocols and guidelines to reduce mortality, morbidities and achieving excellent outcomes.

“I would like to congratulate Judy Aschner, MD, Pediatric Department Chair Children’s Hospital; Tom Flynn, senior vice president and chief compliance officer; Renee Harvey, vice president, Regulatory Affairs; Inia Estima, manager, Regulatory Affairs; and all of our team members who are involved in helping us lead the nation in Joint Commission certifications,” added Sparta.

An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. In all, Hackensack University Medical Center has earned 28 Joint Commission certifications, more than any other hospital in the country.