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Delaware Hospice™ has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Home Care Accreditation across all five of its hospice locations in Delaware and Pennsylvania by demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards. This prestigious Gold Seal symbolizes a commitment to safe, high-quality patient care.

Furthermore, Delaware Palliative®, a subsidiary of Delaware Hospice, has achieved Joint Commission Certification as a Community-Based Palliative Care provider, marking a significant milestone as the first organization in Delaware to receive this honor.

In April 2024, Delaware Hospice and Delaware Palliative underwent comprehensive, unannounced onsite evaluations. Joint Commission reviewers assessed their compliance with Home Care Accreditation standards and the new Community-Based Palliative Care Certification standards across various departments, including Clinical, Human Resources, Medical Records, Administration, and Information Technology.

Achieving the pioneering Community-Based Palliative Care certification required the organization to also demonstrate exceptional palliative care services to patients and their families in their homes.

Designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an approved accreditor for home health and hospice agencies, The Joint Commission's standards are crafted in collaboration with healthcare professionals, measurement experts, and patients. These standards, grounded in scientific literature and expert consensus, aid healthcare organizations in measuring, assessing, and enhancing performance. The review process also included onsite observations and interviews. 

“As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire a safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, Executive Vice President of Accreditation and Certification Operations and Chief Nursing Officer, The Joint Commission. “Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Delaware Hospice for its commitment to advancing safety, quality, equity, and compassion for all patients.”

"These surveys are a testament to the collective effort of Delaware Hospice and Delaware Palliative staff in providing excellent service daily," said Tomasina Chamberlain, Vice President of Compliance, Quality, and Education at Delaware Hospice. "Every patient visited by the Joint Commission Surveyors praised our staff for their compassionate care, highlighting the dedication of our entire team." 

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website The Joint Commission website..

Learn more about the programs and services Delaware Hospice and Delaware Palliative offer by visiting www.delawarehospice.org.

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About Delaware Hospice

Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided the highest quality hospice and healthcare services and is a trusted community partner in end-of-life education and support. Our mission is to provide support to every individual, family, and community with compassionate and expert care for serious illness. Accredited by the Joint Commission and active members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Center to Advance Palliative Care, Delaware Quality of Life Coalition, and Alliance Kids Delaware Hospice continues to be a licensed, nonprofit, community-based healthcare agency serving Delaware as well as southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. Through our commitment to care for our community, we offer the following programs and services, many free of charge: Delaware Hospice, the Delaware Hospice Center, Katybug, Delaware Palliative, Delaware Transitions, Bereavement, New Hope, and Honoring Choices® Delaware. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 302-478-5707 or visit our website, www.delawarehospice.org .