(Newark, Del.)- Delaware Hospice™ has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®
for Home Care Accreditation across all five of its hospice locations in Delaware and
Pennsylvania by demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards. This
prestigious Gold Seal symbolizes a commitment to safe, high-quality patient care.

Furthermore, Delaware Palliative®, a subsidiary of Delaware Hospice, has achieved Joint
Commission Certification as a Community-Based Palliative Care provider, marking a significant
milestone as the first organization in Delaware to receive this honor.

In April 2024, Delaware Hospice and Delaware Palliative underwent comprehensive,
unannounced onsite evaluations. Joint Commission reviewers assessed their compliance with
Home Care Accreditation standards and the new Community-Based Palliative Care Certification
standards across various departments, including Clinical, Human Resources, Medical Records,
Administration, and Information Technology.

Achieving the pioneering Community-Based Palliative Care certification required the
organization to also demonstrate exceptional palliative care services to patients and their
families in their homes.

Designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an approved accreditor
for home health and hospice agencies, The Joint Commission’s standards are crafted in
collaboration with healthcare professionals, measurement experts, and patients. These
standards, grounded in scientific literature and expert consensus, aid healthcare organizations
in measuring, assessing, and enhancing performance. The review process also included onsite
observations and interviews.

“As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across
care settings to inspire a safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and
compassionate,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, Executive Vice President of Accreditation and
Certification Operations and Chief Nursing Officer, The Joint Commission. “Through
collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading
survey methods and standards. We commend Delaware Hospice for its commitment to
advancing safety, quality, equity, and compassion for all patients.”

“These surveys are a testament to the collective effort of Delaware Hospice and Delaware
Palliative staff in providing excellent service daily,” said Tomasina Chamberlain, Vice President
of Compliance, Quality, and Education at Delaware Hospice. “Every patient visited by the Joint
Commission Surveyors praised our staff for their compassionate care, highlighting the
dedication of our entire team.”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.
Learn more about the programs and services Delaware Hospice and Delaware Palliative offer by
visiting www.delawarehospice.org.