OKLAHOMA CITY – Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Spine Surgery Certification — the first in the state to receive this designation.
To achieve the two-year certification, Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City’s Spine Program underwent a rigorous, on-site survey by an evaluator from The Joint Commission, the leading health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation. The Gold Seal of Approval® reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. It reflects compliance with national standards and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
“We are extremely proud of this earned recognition from The Joint Commission and we hope patients undergoing spine surgery take comfort in the fact that they are receiving the safest and best care possible when they are at our facility,” said Jim Gebhart, president and regional strategy officer of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.
Proven results
Mark Wallace, 64, of Oklahoma City, is one of many patients who has nothing but positive things to say about the high-quality care he received before, during and after his spine surgery last fall.
For more than 50 years, the metal rods placed in Wallace’s back to correct the curvature in his spine caused by scoliosis allowed him to live an active life.
As he started to age, he felt more pain in his spine and he began to hunch forward. He also had to give up bowling, skiing, and playing golf and tennis.
“I got to the point where I couldn’t stand for more than 10 or 15 minutes without pain developing in the lower area of my spine and radiating down to my hips,” said Wallace. “I couldn’t take the pain any longer.”
In October 2018, Wallace underwent a spinal fusion surgery at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City to correct the position of his spine.
“It was a textbook example of how this was supposed to go,” he said. “I’m doing great and the recovery was faster than what everybody thought.”
About the Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City Spine Program
Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City’s Spine Program features a team of specialized physicians, nurses, therapists and a dedicated spine coordinator who all work together with patients to create a care plan, answer questions and connect them with the right people and resources for a successful recovery, which includes rehabilitation.
The team treats patients with all types of spine issues affecting the neck and back. Spine surgery can repair injuries, treat tumors, correct deformities like scoliosis, and alleviate back pain or other complex spinal issues.
Prior to undergoing spine surgery, patients and caregivers are encouraged to attend a class offered every Tuesday at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City that outlines what they can expect during their hospital stay and after they return home.
“We strongly believe that patients play a key role in ensuring a successful recovery, which is why we involve patients in every step of their treatment plan,” said Crystal Godfrey, a registered nurse and coordinator of the Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City Spine Program.
Wallace and his wife attended one of the pre-operative classes and said it answered a lot of their questions and gave them some peace of mind. He is thankful he had the surgery.
“I can stand today with no pain and I attribute it to the good care that I had at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City and the Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital,” said Wallace. “I’m looking forward to staying active in the future.”
To attend one of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City Spine Program’s pre-operative spine surgery classes or for more information, call (405) 486-8737.
