Jan. 11. Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center has been awarded The Joint Commission’s colorectal cancer disease-specific care certification for a two-year period. Huntersville Medical Center is the fourth facility in the United States to receive this certification.

“The colorectal cancer-disease specific care certification is a validation of our incredible patient care and the outcomes of our colorectal cancer program,” said Mike Riley, president and chief operating officer, Huntersville Medical Center. “This is the result of a lot of hard work from our team members. This certification improves the quality of patient care by reducing variation in clinical processes and creates a loyal, cohesive clinical team.”

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care certification program evaluates clinical programs across a continuum of care. To become certified, an organization is evaluated during an on-site review conducted by a Joint Commission reviewer who assesses how clinical outcomes and other performance measures are used to identify opportunities to improve care; whether the organization’s leaders understand and commit to improving the quality of care for patients in need of the services the program provides and how patients and their caregivers are educated and prepared for discharge.