CONTACT
Julie Naughton, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-1695 (office); (402) 405-7202 (cell); julie.naughton@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – The Lincoln Regional Center has received continued accreditation from the Joint Commission, a national organization that evaluates health care entities based on quality standards and managements. Facilities undergo an unannounced visit/survey every three years.
“Continued accreditation shows we have a high-performing psychiatric facility that is helping Nebraskans live healthier lives and demonstrates our accountability and credibility to those we work with and the people we serve," said Mark LaBouchardiere, facilities director for the Department of Health and Human Services. “The surveyors commented multiple times about the quality of staff we have and quality of care we are delivering. We are very proud of our team." He added that the accreditation includes all of the Lincoln Regional Center, including its hospital beds, its sex offender residential building and its satellite Whitehall Campus for boys who have sexually harmed.
“Joint Commission accreditation is the highest standard of excellence that you can have in the field," said Ashley Sacriste, hospital administrator for the Lincoln Regional Center. “It raises the bar in your facility and is an ever-present reminder of what we're working towards – excellence."
The surveyors' kudos included:
- “Impressive" programming happening throughout all LRC buildings and Whitehall
- Staff engagement – staff members are happy, engaged with patients, and truly care about their jobs. “One of the surveyors said that you could see the passion and care in their eyes for our patients," said Sacriste.
- Facilities - all of the surveyors complimented LRC on the maintenance and housekeeping of the buildings, especially considering the ages and layouts of the campus and Whitehall.
- Documentation - was in order and meeting the standards LRC has in place.
- Annual review of patients - this aspect of the patient annual reviews was excellent. LRC's annual patient reviews was noted as “excellent." This process involves multidisciplinary teams working together to evaluate each patient.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
The Lincoln Regional Center, established in 1870, is a 250-bed state psychiatric hospital with over 500 employees. It serves more than 400 patients a year who need very specialized psychiatric services and provides services to people who require a highly structured treatment setting, including providing evaluation, assessments and treatment for individuals as ordered by the Nebraska legal systems.