SPECIALIZED TREATMENT FACILITY AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM JOINT COMMISSION

GULFPORT, MS 8/1/05 – By demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s national standards for health care quality and safety, the Specialized Treatment Facility in Gulfport, an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.

"In becoming accredited, the Specialized Treatment Facility was evaluated against a set of national standards by a Joint Commission surveyor experienced in the delivery of behavioral health care services," said Mary Cesare-Murphy, Ph.D., executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, Joint Commission. "Achieving accreditation demonstrates the facility’s commitment to provide high and safe quality care."
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 the Specialized Treatment Facility occurred in June.

“Accreditation shows that we make a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down,” said Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., director, Specialized Treatment Facility. “We sought accreditation for our facility because we want to be the best and we view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward excellence."

Dr. Rogers recognizes that accreditation is attainable only through cooperation and communication among staff members. "Everyone at the Specialized Treatment Facility plays a vital role in working to meet the standards. It gives them a feeling of prestige to work in an accredited organization," she said. "They also appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the Joint Commission surveyor."
The Specialized Treatment Facility provides residential care and habilitation services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians (ages 13-21) who have come before youth court and have been diagnosed with a mental disorder.

For more information about STF, visit www.stf.state.ms.us .

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