NEWBERRY — Newberry County Memorial Hospital has proved once again that a hospital doesn’t have to be big to be among the best in the nation.

The 102-bed rural hospital this week earned accreditation of its knee and hip joint replacement program from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

Newberry Hospital is the first hospital in the Midlands to earn accreditation from The Joint Commission for its knee and hip joint replacement program. It is one of only six in South Carolina to be accredited. Only Newberry Hospital, McLeod Health, Georgetown Hospital System, Waccamaw Community Hospital, St. Francis Bon Secours, and Trident Medical Center have earned Joint Commission accreditation for joint replacement in the Palmetto State.

Newberry Hospital CEO Ron Vigus said Joint Commission accreditation validates the hard work and dedication put forth by the entire hospital staff and the orthopedic surgeons of Palmetto Bone and Joint. The accreditation speaks to the quality, safe care, and positive outcomes delivered to joint replacement patients, a growing number of which come from outside Newberry County.

“Our nurses, orthopedic surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, hospital technicians, and staff set a goal to be the best health care providers of total knee and total hip joint replacement surgery in the region. We have worked long and hard together to make this happen so it’s very gratifying to earn accreditation and be the first hospital in the Midlands to do so,” Vigus said.

Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. Certification requirements for joint replacement programs address three areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective, consistent use of appropriate, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the knee and hip replacement patient population; and collection and analysis of four performance measures specific to the knee and hip replacement patient population.

The accreditation remains in effect for two years at which time Newberry Hospital must prove that it complies with The Joint Commission’s standards.

With numerous organizations such as The Wall Street Journal and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation pointing to ever growing numbers of adults having joint replacements, having a hospital with Joint Commission accreditation for joint replacement surgery is good news. Safety is always a concern of patients, particularly with invasive surgical procedures like joint replacement. The Joint Commission allows patients to search for accredited health care providers in their community on their website, www.jointcommission.org.

“With more baby boomers seeking knee and hip replacements to maintain active lifestyles, Newberry Hospital is the best choice for joint replacement surgery. This accreditation, along with our near zero infection rates make us a very attractive option for those who want to regain their mobility or maintain active lifestyles with a joint replacement,” Vigus said.

Earlier this year, HealthGrades, a leading independent health care ratings company, awarded Newberry Hospital Five-Star Ratings for Joint Replacement, Total Knee Replacement and Total Hip Replacement. Newberry Hospital was ranked third in South Carolina for Joint Replacement based on the exceptional outcomes of its patients. According to HealthGrades, patients treated at a five-star rated hospital experience a 73 percent lower risk of mortality and a 63 percent lower risk of complications compared to one-star rated hospitals.