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(LAREDO, TEXAS – June 7, 2017) –Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation and Primary Care Medical Home Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its nationally recognized standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. 

          Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. underwent a rigorous, onsite survey in April 2017. During the review, a team of Joint Commission surveyors with expertise in ambulatory health care, evaluated compliance with ambulatory care standards related to a variety of areas, including coordination of care, monitoring for procedures that involve use of sedation or anesthesia, infection prevention and control, management of medications, and patient education and training. Gateway COO, Oscar J. Buitron,: "The Joint Commission accreditation and Primary Care Medical Home Certification is a validation of the superior service and care we are honored to provide our community. This accolade further solidifies our commitment to patient safety and high standard of care given to all our patients." Laura McCoy, CFO, goes on to say, " Receiving this accreditation solidifies our commitment to patient care and safety." 

          Established in 1975, The Joint Commission’s Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation Program encourages high-quality patient care in all types of freestanding ambulatory care facilities. Today, the Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation Program serves 2,100 ambulatory care providers, with more than 8,500 sites of care, which, in turn, serve more than 83 million patient visits annually. 

          Chairman of Gateway’s Board, Lauro Garcia said, " This is a great accomplishment for Gateway clinics. We have provided quality care for our patients for over 50 years and the Joint Commission recognizes our efforts." Gateway CEO, Elmo Lopez, Jr., says, "The Gateway Community Health Center mission is "Quality HealthCare for Everyone" and we wanted to have our patients and our community know that we have received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. The Joint Commission accreditation process touched every part of our clinics and how we care for our patients. This process puts Gateway Clinics way ahead of the curve when it comes to patient safety and quality care for all of our patients." Gateway’s CMO, Dr. Mery Cortes goes on to say, "It is an honor to be part of this institution and now with TJC certification we will assure excellence and top care for our patients; plus having PCMH designation where our patients will have all their needs covered in one place. Patients are the priority at Gateway Community Health Center." "I am excited and proud that our clinic has achieved TJC certification. It only solidifies our goal of providing quality, accessible health care to our patients and to all of Laredo", says Chief Dental Officer Claudia Cavazos, DDS, MPH. 

          "Joint Commission accreditation provides ambulatory care organizations with the processes contributing to improvements in a variety of areas from the enhancement of staff education to the demonstration of leading practices within the ambulatory setting," said Michael Kulczycki, M.B.A., CAE, executive director, Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. "We commend Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. and its staff for achieving this pinnacle demonstrating a commitment to patient safety and quality. Your passion, dedication and tenacity can ultimately improve patient care. Thank you for your commitment to patient safety and entrusting The Joint Commission to assist you." 

          The Joint Commission’s ambulatory health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance. 

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Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously 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. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.