Los Alamitos, CA – March, 2010 – Los Alamitos Medical Center (LAMC) has received their third certification from The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program.  The medical center was granted Advanced Certification in Heart Failure. This is a Certificate of Distinction that recognizes exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for heart failure patients. The certification process is designed to help organizations continuously provide safe, high-quality care, treatment, and services.

The mission of The Joint Commission is 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.  “It is an honor for us to receive this recognition,” said Clinical Care director Lynne Downing, RN, CCRN. “Los Alamitos Medical Center is only the fourth hospital in the country to receive Advanced Certification in Heart Failure from The Joint Commission.”

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Certification (DCS) program is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. The hospital program must meet DSC requirements as well as additional clinically-specific requirements and expectations. The physicians and staff at Los Alamitos Medical Center work diligently to exceed these standards.

The medical center has been recognized previously by The Joint Commission for Coronary Artery Disease and their Advanced Primary Stroke Center program.  The medical center’s other awards include the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines^® Gold performance achievement awards for Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease, as well as a Gold Plus performance achievement award for Stroke.