Schumacher: CHS earns 'prestigious certification'

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Clarendon Health System is one of five healthcare facilities in South Carolina to receive ISO 9001 Certification from the DNV-GL. Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Paul Schumacher made the announcement Wednesday, praising the hospital's staff for "its commitment to patient safety and quality care." "The certification is a testimony to the dedicated professionals at Clarendon health System who live the values of our organization every day," Schumacher said. "We want the citizens of this county to know that they don't have to look elsewhere for healthcare excellence. They can find it right here ... at their community hospital." DNV-GL is an international accreditation organization that works in healthcare, business and industry to ensure compliance of safety and quality initiatives through a rigorous evaluation process, said hospital spokesman and Public Information Director Jeffrey Black. Other hospitals earning the distinction were Lexington Medical Center, Providence Hospital, Conway Medical Center and Cannon Memorial Hospital. CHS Accreditation Manager Natalie Davis said CHS chose to apply for DNV-GL and ISO certificates "for several important reasons." "First, DNV strongly emphasizes safety and quality service and that certainly aligns with our values," she said. "It's also important to us that DNV-GL wants an organization to tailor its safety and service programs to your facility and your patient population, not just to the standards, so it's not a one-size-fits-all approach." “DNV-GL performs annual surveys so we are constantly being evaluated for compliance with the Medicare/Medicaid and ISO regulations," Davis added. "We have achieved this accreditation because of our leadership, and especially our staff, who are dedicated to their patients and to our mission of providing ‘exceptional quality healthcare provided with compassion and dignity.’” Hospital board Chairman Jim Darby said the certification was exciting news. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we commend our employees for placing quality and safety at the forefront of everything they do," Darby said. "An accreditation of this magnitude doesn't happen overnight, and nor by the work of just a few. This raises the bar and charts our future." Clarendon Health System consists of Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Long Term Care, Home Health, Cypress Transport, Rehabilitation and numerous other service lines to provide comprehensive care. Clarendon Memorial celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. For more information about Clarendon Health System, please visit our website at www.clarendonhealth.com.