IIn 2007 the Joint Commission will survey and evaluate St. Mary’s Hospital’s compliance with its nationally established standards. The survey results are used to determine whether, and the conditions under which, accreditation should be awarded to the hospital.

Joint Commission standards deal with organizational quality of care issues and the safety of the environment in which care is provided. Anyone believing that he or she has pertinent and valid information about such matters may contact the Joint Commission at:

Headquarters and Conference Center
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Phone: 630-792-5000
Email: complaint@jointcommission.org
Fax: 630-792-5005

Washington DC Office
The Joint Commission
601 13th Street, NW, Suite 1150N
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-783-6655
Fax: 202-783-6888

The Joint Commission will acknowledge such requests in writing or by telephone and will inform the organization of the request for an interview. The organization will, in turn, notify the interviewee of the date, time and place of the meeting.

All Maryland hospitals must also be licensed by the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ). The quality of care and compliance with both State and Federal regulations in 8,000 healthcare facilities and programs is monitored by this office. To regulate these institutions and programs, OHCQ conducts more than 10,000 inspections yearly. The OHCQ also is responsible for inspection and certification recommendations for all health facilities participating in Medicaid and Medicare. The OHCQ initiates administrative action against facilities that violate State rules and regulations.

Office of Health Care Quality
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Spring Grove Hospital Center-Bland Bryant Building
55 Wade Avenue
Catonsville, Maryland 21228
Phone Number: 410-402-8000
Toll-free: 1-877-402-8218

St. Mary’s Hospital encourages the public to report any concerns with patient care and safety to the hospital’s management by calling 301-475-6001. If the concerns in question cannot be resolved at this level, the individual is encouraged by St. Mary’s Hospital to contact the Joint Commission or the Office of Health Care Quality..