Mercy Earns Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from The Joint Commission

Mercy Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification, reflecting Mercy’s commitment to the highest standards of quality, safety, and compassionate care. Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.

Following a comprehensive review and completion of a 60-day Evidence of Standards Compliance period, The Joint Commission formally awarded certification to Mercy effective September 25, 2025. Granted under The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program, the certification is customarily valid for up to 24 months.

The Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification—offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons—evaluates the full continuum of care for patients undergoing total joint replacement, from initial consultation and pre-surgical assessment through surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.

 5/15/2026 The evaluation included detailed assessments of program leadership, care coordination, evidence-based clinical practices, performance measurement, patient education, and self-management support. Surveyors also conducted direct observations and interviews with physicians, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, and hospital leadership. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, providers, measurement specialists, and patients.

In its certification decision letter, The Joint Commission recognized Mercy’s achievement as representing its commitment to upholding the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety for its patients, workforce, and community.

“At Mercy, excellence in care is inseparable from our mission,” said David N. Maine, M.D., President and CEO of Mercy Health Services. “We are honored to receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and to offer our community advanced joint replacement care delivered with the compassion and dignity that have guided Mercy for more than 150 years.”

“Total hip and knee replacement can restore independence and dramatically improve quality of life,” said Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., Chief of Orthopedics at Mercy Medical Center. “We carefully prepare patients for surgery, follow standardized, evidence-based protocols, and coordinate rehabilitation and follow-up to support the best possible outcomes. This certification reflects our team’s shared commitment to delivering high-quality care at every stage of the patient’s journey.”

Mercy Medical Center has a national reputation for orthopedic care, having achieved “High Performing” status in both Knee Replacement and Hip Replacement surgeries for 2025-2026 according to national U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” rankings. Coupled with Mercy’s Magnet® recognition with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) noted earlier this year, the 151-year-old hospital offers patients quality care delivered in a compassionate setting. 

The Joint Commission will publicly report Mercy’s certification on its “Find Accredited Organizations” webpage, helping patients and families identify programs that meet nationally recognized standards for specialty care.