Blue Ridge Hospice has successfully received accreditation from The Joint Commission, scoring consistently high marks in numerous areas for its programs and services and praise as a "high-quality hospice." The voluntary and intense week-long, organization-wide, survey is conducted every three years by The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standard-setting and accrediting healthcare organzation.

Among the survey remarks was praise for Blue Ridge Hospice, terming it "an amazing organization…in the top echelon of hospices," as well as credits for its leadership team and staff members." The detailed review also pointed out that Blue Ridge Hospice was providing a superior level of care not seen in most hospice agencies. High marks were noted for its "outreach and community involvement and continuity of documentation." Programs such as its music and pet therapy, social work, chaplaincy and bereavement work also received compliments. Additionally, several of Blue Ridge Hospice's clinical programs were held up as quality examples and are being recommended as "Best Practices" by The Joint Commission.

Blue Ridge Hospice President and CEO Ernie Carnevale noted his thanks to the organization's team, its volunteer Board of Directors, and members of its large volunteer program. "We are most fortunate to have the dedication and commitment to patient care that our employees and volunteers provide the community on a day-to-day basis," he said, adding that staffers are continually working to improve and enhance the quality of care offered its patients and their families. "Receiving the accreditation and its accolades is viable proof of the hard work and caring that is returned daily to Blue Ridge Hospice and our patients and their family by our staff," he said.

The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is the standard bearer in healthcare accreditation and certification. Founded in 1951, it is the nation's oldest and largest accreding body for healthcare agencies, and it accredits and certifies more than 20,000 healthcare organizations across the country.

Blue Ridge Hospice serves the City of Winchester and the counties of Frederick, Loudoun, Fauquier, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock, and Warren. As a not-for-profit hospice organization, Blue Ridge Hospice never turns away any person eligible for hospice care due to their financial situation. Visit blueridgehospice.org or call 540-536-5210 for additional information on services, programs and events.