Harris Regional Hospital receives re-accreditation from The Joint Commission for excelling in lab and point of care testing

As part of its mission of making communities healthier Harris Regional Hospital is honored to have been reaccredited by The Joint Commission for all its lab locations, including inpatient labs and outpatient labs inside both Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals, and outpatient labs at Harris Medical Park of Sylva and Harris Medical Park of Franklin.

The re-accreditation comes as part of a long-standing legacy of accreditation by The Joint Commission for Harris and Swain labs, with surveys being conducted every two years in order to maintain accreditation. After surpassing performance standards during the most recent survey, the hospitals have earned accreditation for the next two years.

"We are proud to receive re-accreditation from the Joint Commission, a testament to our team's dedication to providing exceptional patient care” says CEO, Ashley Hindman. “This recognition highlights our commitment to meeting the highest standards of safety and quality in our labs and point of care testing that reinforces our ongoing focus on excellence in healthcare."

The field of laboratory medicine places a focus on continual improvement and quality management for patients and their safety. By receiving this certification from The Joint Commission, Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to reducing diagnostic errors, enhancing patient safety and experience, and improving turnaround times for test results.

“This achievement reflects the commitment of our dedicated team to maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety,” said Kim Saunooke, MLS (ASCP), Director of Laboratory Services for Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals. “By upholding rigorous quality practices and ensuring accurate, timely diagnostic testing, we continue to support the well-being of our community and contribute to the exceptional care provided at our hospital.”

Laboratory care plays a vital role in the health of the community, providing critical diagnostic information that directly impacts treatment decisions and patient outcomes. Accurate and timely lab results are essential for detecting health issues early, preventing complications, and ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care. By maintaining high standards of laboratory practices, the hospitals ensure that every member of the community has access to reliable, high-quality diagnostic services that support better overall health and well-being.

Inpatient labs at both Harris and Swain operate around the clock to provide services for patients under care in the hospitals. To accommodate access for patients, outpatient lab services are available at both hospitals, as well as locations within Harris Medical Park of Sylva and Harris Medical Park of Franklin.

Talk with your healthcare provider about lab services you may need on your healthcare journey. For more information about lab services and accreditations, visit MyHarrisRegional.com or MySwainCommunity.com.

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About Harris Regional Hospital & Swain Community Hospital

Harris Regional Hospital, established in 1925, is an 86-bed acute and specialty care facility serving western North Carolina with more than 100 physicians practicing in locations throughout a multi-county region, including Harris Regional Hospital Medical Park of Franklin, an outpatient facility in Macon County. Swain Community Hospital, established in 1950, is a 48-bed Critical Access Hospital serving a multi-county region with primary care, emergency medicine and subspecialty care including a pain clinic and a transitional care unit. Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital began an affiliation in 1997 and joined Duke LifePoint Healthcare in 2014.