Central Maine Medical Center has been certified for quality of care in an array of orthopedic services, the hospital announced today. The certification by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest healthcare accrediting body, recognizes CMMC for providing the highest quality of patient care and safety.
The areas of excellence highlighted in the certification are total hip replacement, total knee replacement, total shoulder replacement, and hip fracture. The certification came after a rigorous inspection by the Joint Commission last month.
“Orthopedic care is in high demand in Maine, the most rapidly aging state in the nation, and we are proud that our work has been recognized with this certification,” said Dr. David Tupponce, president of CMMC and Executive Vice President of Central Maine Healthcare. “Our patients rely on us for safe, effective and high quality care and that is our ongoing commitment.”
In fact, a reviewer from the Joint Commission called the CMMC orthopedic program a “top tier program in the nation.” More than 1 million total joint replacements, which are considered one of the most successful and cost-effective interventions in medicine, are done in the United States every year. At Central Maine Medical Center, 181 total hip replacements, 316 knee replacements, and 45 shoulder replacements were done in 2017. The hospital treated 162 hip fractures.
“I’m extremely proud of our team for this accomplishment. We have an amazing group of providers caring for our patients from their initial visit through their pre-operative work-up, surgery, therapy and beyond. Patients with pain and limited mobility can truly get their life back with total joint replacement,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bush, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with Central Maine Orthopaedics in Auburn. “The certification reflects CMMC’s commitment to continuous improvement in how we provide for our orthopedic patients.”
Greg Marston of Bridgton had both knees replaced at CMMC. To Marston, an avid skier and outdoorsman, the surgery “gave me my life back.” He credits the joint replacements, and the rehabilitation services he received at Bridgton Hospital (part of Central Maine Healthcare) with allowing him to return to the sports he loves—and his work as a skilled traditional cabinetmaker and restoration specialist.
“Dr. Bush, CMMC and Bridgton Hospital are responsible for giving me back my life,” he said. “I tell everybody who is considering surgery, `do it, because it really is life-changing.’ ‘’
The Joint Commission has accredited hospitals for more than 60 years and currently, more 4,000 hospitals nationwide maintain Joint Commission accreditation. CMMC’s accreditation is an initial certification, and the hospital will have a recertification inspection every two years going forward.