SJO First Hospital in State to Earn COPD Certification from The Joint Commission

Providence St. Joseph Hospital became the first hospital in California and just the fifth in the nation to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

"To the physicians, COPD navigators, respiratory therapists, nurses and support teams who made this possible: thank you," Chief Executive Brian Helleland states. "Over the past couple years, this team built something remarkable – an interdisciplinary program rooted in evidence, driven by collaboration and held together by a genuine commitment to patients living with lung disease. They challenged themselves to identify new practices, measure outcomes, strengthen care coordination and continually raise the bar for excellence across inpatient and outpatient settings...Congratulations!"

According to the CDC, COPD is one of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. with nearly 16 million adults in the country impacted by the condition, many without even knowing they have it. There is currently no cure for COPD, but it can be managed and treated with the appropriate care teams.