Joint Commissions is a business to make money. They have no interest in supporting excellence in patient care. Its all about JC getting that check from the hospitals followng the survey. I frankly think JC can be paid off with bribes to look the other way.

The news media would have to be involved to get patients justice for eggregious healthcare activities. Then (maybe) JC would actually do the right thing.

The cover-up is out of the arrogance of academic medical centers who think they are above the law and above the rules of basic human respect.

Medicine was once a respected profession and now it is has become a money and ego oriented business practice that places like Hopkins and others are in for a major reality check for not even doing the obviously right thing for this patient in the beginning and not not taking care of the outcomes respectfully. The cover-up will soon be uncovered.

Hmmm, it seems The Joint Commission might have a form letter circulating about their 3 year statue of limitations……my initial complaint was indeed filed within the three year limit also, but when I sent them a letter back explaining this, no one ever responded.

What I did find out was that they had just completed the hospital’s on site visit and accreditation–and of course it passed with flying colors…….maybe they didn’t want to have to put a retroactive red mark in the column that reads: “You are required to disclose medical errors that cause harm or death to your patients.”

Here’s their letter to me:

This is to inform you that we have completed our review of your letter regarding the above organization.

As noted in our website, The Joint Commission does not conduct individual case management, nor do we conduct peer review. Since participation in Joint Commission accreditation is voluntary, regulatory oversight for this facility ultimately rests with the state (Department of Health) agency, which also acts as an agent for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Based on Joint Commission policy, we are unable to evaluate the clarifying information you recently submitted, as these issues are over three years old. Please be assured that although no action could be taken at this time, this does not mean that we do not view your issues as important.

Per our Public Information Policy, the following information is being provided to you:

The number of standards-related written complaints filed against the above named accredited organization that have met criteria for review: 4
The applicable standards areas involved in a specific complaint review: Rights & Ethics, Assessment and Care/Services, Medication Management, Communication
The standards areas in which requirements for improvement were issued as a result of complaint evaluation activities: N/A
When an unannounced or unscheduled survey is based on information derived from a complaint or public sources, the standards areas related to the complaint: N/A
Any determination that the complaint is not related to The Joint Commission standards: N/A
In addition, you may also wish to refer to the organization’s Quality Report, which is available at The Joint Commission’s web site (www.jointcommission.org, and click Quality Check), to obtain general information about the organization’s performance on key quality measures. To obtain a hard copy of the report, please contact our Customer Service Center at (630) 792-5800 or write to the Customer Service Center at

Customer Service Center
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

The Joint Commission stands ready to receive and review issues of concern about accredited organizations at any time and will act in accordance with all the information that is provided to us.

Sincerely,

John Michael Delacruz
Office of Quality Monitoring

“Dr.” HC – stand up and be a MAN and admit your wrongdoing! If you are a Christian, you know it is the RIGHT THING TO DO! And if you are any other religion (I only know about Christianity), probably it, too, would urge you to do the RIGHT THING: TELL THE TRUTH!

What happened legally? Did you have any recourse through a law-suit? I know that fighting this with lawyers, does NOTHING to change the torture you’ve been through, does it make up for….well, much of anything!

However, it almost sounds like an “ethical duty” for you to pursue this in the realm of the courts, rather than just allow the doctors and hospitals to go unchallenged. I too have had some bad experiences in a “top ten best hospital” but nothing as horrific as Pam’s. I also have been involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit for the past four years, and it’s not over yet.

Hang in there. Too many people don’t have the energy, or tenacity to follow through, and what YOU are doing, may just help someone else in ways you’ll never know.

Peace,

Grandma Sarah