Barrow Becomes First in the Nation to Receive Joint Commission Certification for the Treatment of Both Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

PHOENIX, March 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Neurotrauma Program at Barrow Neurological Institute has been awarded the Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification for Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury, making it the only hospital in the United States to earn both certifications.

The certification process took more than three years and involved two 24-hour site visits by the Joint Commission – an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies U.S. health care organizations and programs.

"It's an honor," says neurosurgeon Dr. Nicholas Theodore, director of Barrow's Neurotrauma Program. "This recognition is only given to hospitals who maintain the highest standard of care for their patients. We are proud to be the first to receive this certification for the treatment of both traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury."

In addition to providing patients with cutting-edge Level-1 trauma care, Barrow's Neurotrauma Program also gives patients access to clinical trials, acute care and inpatient and outpatient neurorehabilitation.

"It's a team approach to shepherding traumatically injured patients through the continuum of care, from the trauma department to surgery to the intensive care unit to rehabilitation," says Dr. Theodore. "Then we follow them into the community and make sure they are given every opportunity to once again become vital members of society."

The certification, which lasts for two years, involves ongoing assessment of the Neurotrauma Program. Dr. Theodore said he and others involved in the certification process, along with the Joint Commission, have identified factors they will evaluate to ensure the program continues to meet certain performance standards.

We're continually looking at ourselves," says Dr. Theodore. "We're not just resting on our laurels and saying, 'We're good at what we do.' We're continuing to strive to do things better."

Barrow, which is part of Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, is world renowned in the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries. The Institute performs more brain and spine surgeries annually than any hospital in the nation and trains more neurosurgeons than anywhere in the world.

SOURCE Barrow Neurological Institute