ROYAL OAK — Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its palliative care program by demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety, hospital officials announced today.
“In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for patients with serious illness,” says Michele Sacco, M.S., executive director of the Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Beaumont, Royal Oak for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the communities it serves.”
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness – whatever the diagnosis. It addresses a patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs and facilitates patient autonomy, access to information and choice.
“The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family,” says Angela Chmielewski, M.D., director, palliative care at Beaumont.
