Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s Joint Replacement Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification, a demonstration of continuous compliance with its performance standards.

The Gold Seal is The Joint Commission’s highest award and a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Beaufort Memorial is one of only three hospitals in the state to receive the advanced certification, which is awarded in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Awarded for a two-year period, the certification was established in 2016 in response to the growing number of patients undergoing total hip or total knee replacement surgery, as well as to the increased focus on clinical evidence-based patient care as it relates to pain management, quality of life and the return to normal daily activities.

“We are extremely proud of our award-winning Joint Replacement Program and all of the providers who have worked to ensure the best outcomes for our patients,” Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley, MHA, said in a release. “Receiving advanced certification is a testament to the high standards of our surgeons and staff and our commitment to providing the highest quality care to our patients, and proof positive that Beaufort Memorial is the region’s choice for total hip and knee replacements.”

Beaufort Memorial underwent a rigorous on-site review last fall. During the review, a surveyor from The Joint Commission evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including program management from initial visit to post-discharge care. The surveyor also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

In addition, Beaufort Memorial recently announced that its Joint Replacement Center orthopaedic team had begun using the state-of-the-art Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Surgery System to perform total knee replacements. The MAKO allows the surgeon to create a plan unique to a patient’s anatomy, and then use the robotic arm to implant the components with greater precision, leading to better function and more natural movement.

“Continuous review of the latest evidence-based practices and orthopaedic technologies has allowed us to provide our community with the best in joint replacement care,” Baxley said. “It’s an honor to be recognized for doing what all of us at Beaufort Memorial are committed to do — provide the best possible outcomes for our patients, getting them back to doing the things they love to do, as quickly and safely as possible.”

For more information, please visit BeaufortMemorial.org/JointReplacement.