Hilton Head Island, SC  -- The Outpatient Surgery Center at Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center has achieved accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as a result of its demonstrated compliance with the Joint Commission’s nationally recognized health care standards.  The Joint Commission’s on-site survey of the Outpatient Surgery Center at Bluffton-Okatie occurred in August and accreditation is effective for three years from August 12, 2004.

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation’s health care through voluntary accreditation.  Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic, and organization wide improvement in an organization’s performance and the outcomes of care.

Dennis R. Bruns, president and chief executive officer, Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center, spoke of his pride in a staff whose members ask what needs to be done to be accredited by the Joint Commission.  “In addition, they appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the team of surveyors.”  Bruns called the accreditation, “proof of an organization wide commitment to provide quality care on an ongoing basis.”  The outpatient surgery center located at Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center is the only JCAHO accredited Ambulatory (Surgical) Health Care facility in Beaufort County.