Danbury Hospital achieves advanced certification for spine surgery

Danbury Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) by demonstrating continuous compliance with rigorous performance standards. The Gold Seal reflects Nuvance Health’s commitment to providing high-quality, safe spine care.

The Joint Commission thoroughly reviewed Danbury Hospital’s spine surgery program and key patient safety and quality care performance indicators, including excellent post-operative outcomes, short length of hospital stays and low readmission rates. In addition to the data collected, a Joint Commission reviewer performed an onsite review and observed and interviewed spine surgery staff and patients.

“Danbury Hospital’s spine surgery service takes pride in offering the most contemporary and minimally invasive spine surgical procedures possible,” said Dr. David Kramer, chief of spine surgery at Danbury Hospital and Ervie and Carolyn Hawley Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery at Nuvance Health.

“Our 10 fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons, advanced practice providers, anesthesiologists, operating room technicians, nurses and rehabilitation therapists collaborate to achieve the high-quality outcomes and patient satisfaction acknowledged by the Joint Commission Advanced Spine Surgery Certification — a designation shared by very few hospitals in the state,” Dr. Kramer said.

“We feel a great sense of responsibility caring for our community and making sure they can confidently stay close to home for spine surgery,” said Dr. Scott Sanderson, chief of neurosurgery at Danbury Hospital. “Our community can trust the quality care they will receive at Danbury Hospital because The Joint Commission validated we have met the highest possible standards for spine surgery.”

To be eligible for ACSS, organizations must implement evidence-based care and clinical practice guidelines and participate in the American Spine Registry, a national quality improvement registry for spine care.

“Danbury Hospital has long been a site for one of the safest and busiest spine programs in the region. We are proud that this commitment to outstanding care is confirmed with the Advanced Spine Surgery Certification,” said Dr. Daniel Labow, system chair of surgical services at Nuvance Health and chair of surgery at Danbury Hospital and its New Milford Hospital campus.

“The recognition by The Joint Commission proves we meet national and rigorous spine surgery standards, and reinforces the collaborative, excellent care our neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons and entire spine care teams offer in our region,” said Dr. Paul Wright, senior vice president and system chair of the Neuroscience Institute.

ACSS, offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, helps organizations provide consistent communication and collaboration among all healthcare providers involved in the care of spine patients — including spine surgery office staff and surgeons, operating room and post-operative care teams, and outpatient services such as physiatry and rehabilitation.