Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH) announced today that it has been accredited by The Joint Commission, the non-profit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations in the United States, by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

NCH earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation, a symbol of quality that reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

The Joint Commission conducted a rigorous unannounced on-site survey of Nantucket Cottage Hospital in late August 2014, when a team of surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards for emergency management, environment of care, infection control, medication management, and other areas. Surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews with NCH staff members.

“To be accredited by The Joint Commission is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates a commitment to excellence across all our departments,” said NCH President and CEO Dr. Margot Hartmann. “We earned The Joint Commission certification in spite of the aging condition of our 1957 building, making this achievement even more remarkable. The island community can be proud of its medical professionals who made this happen, and can truly have confidence in coming to NCH for their care.”

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Nantucket Cottage Hospital has been recognized for excellence in patient satisfaction by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).

Nantucket Cottage Hospital is one of many rural healthcare organizations across the country celebrating their accomplishments on National Rural Health Day, which is observed on November 21^st.

Working with iVantage Health Analytics, the NOSORH developed a data-driven program to evaluate the performance of hospitals across a broad spectrum of indicators. Nantucket Cottage Hospital was among three Massachusetts rural hospitals ranked in the top quartile for the criteria “willingness to recommend” and “overall quality.”

“The staff at NCH has worked collaboratively toward improving our customer experience,” said NCH Chief Nursing Officer Bonnie Kester. “It is wonderful to be recognized for their dedication.”

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In the summer of 2014, a dozen volunteers came together to launch a new effort to build the next generation of leaders and advocates for Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Putting their collective skills and networks to work, their inaugural “Après Beach” event at Jetties Beach attracted 225 people to meet, mingle, and learn about NCH.  Led by co-chairs Tyler Hardy and Tad Lee, the Friends of NCH (affectionately known as FONCH) hopes to create broad-based awareness and visibility for the hospital and encourage support of the new building project.

Photos courtesy of Townpool Nantucket.

Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Associates of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, the island’s leading physical therapy program, has relocated to a new state-of-the-art facility just a short distance away from the hospital campus at 6 Bayberry Court.  The relocation was made possible by the Hospital Thrift Shop, which donated nearly $300,000 toward this effort.

The program’s highly-skilled therapists can now provide exceptional care in private patient rooms and in an environment conducive to high quality treatment. Patients have noticed:  since moving to the new space, the number of patient visits has grown significantly.

“This new space represents a significant improvement for our patients and the staff of the Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Associates of Nantucket Cottage Hospital,” said NCH President and CEO Dr. Margot Hartmann. “We’re so grateful to everyone who had a hand in helping this project come to fruition, and for the extraordinary contributions from the Hospital Thrift Shop.”

“This is such an important health service for the island community so we wanted to contribute all that we could toward providing the space it deserves,” said Cathy Ward, the president of the Hospital Thrift Shop’s Board of Directors. “We’re so pleased to have helped facilitate the relocation of Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Associates and we know it will immediately enhance the patient experience.”

Linda Taylor, a longtime supporter of NCH and an advocate for quality health care on Nantucket, also contributed funds toward the relocation effort.

Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Associates of Nantucket Cottage Hospital offers comprehensive physical and occupational therapy services, including hands-on, one-on-one therapy sessions for patients with a wide range of diagnoses. Among the program’s highly-trained and certified employees are therapists with expertise in taping and bracing techniques, craniosacral bodywork, myofascial joint mobilization and other massage therapies.

Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Associates of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, the island’s leading physical therapy program, will soon relocate to a new state-of-the-art facility just a short distance away from the hospital campus at 6 Bayberry Court.

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