Shady Grove Adventist Hospital was given a clean bill of health last week, receiving a top ranking from a national health care regulatory agency. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations gave Shady Grove an unconditional ranking without recommendations for specific improvements—the highest level of accreditation available through the Joint Commission.  The hospital, a 263-bed facility located in Rockville, Maryland, United States, was given a downgraded ranking 18 months ago by the Joint Commission after a review team found fault with the hospital’s quality assurance procedures and other related issues.

“This is a very positive development and is a testament to the efforts of our physicians and hospital staff,” says Deborah Yancer, president of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. She characterizes last week’s announcement of the upgraded ranking as “an important milestone” but not an end in itself. “We are never finished with the work of assuring quality care,” she says.