MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula Surgery Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Ambulatory Services Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards, according to a news release. The Gold Seal is “a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care,” officials said in the release.

Upper Peninsula Surgery Center underwent a “rigorous, unannounced onsite review” on Dec. 11, officials said.

During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with ambulatory standards spanning several areas, including infection prevention and control, emergency management, environment care, leadership and rights and responsibilities of the individual.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance, officials said.

The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” said Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission, in the release. “We commend Upper Peninsula Surgery Center for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

Upper Peninsula Surgery Center Director Tammy Luoma said in the release: “We strive for delivering the highest level of safety and quality care for our patients and staff. Joint Commission accreditation signals the medical excellence patients can expect when they seek care at our surgery center. Upper Peninsula Surgery Center team is firmly committed to making continuous improvement in the health care we provide for our patients and to exceed expectations. I’m proud of our team.”

For more information, visit The Joint Commission website.