WINNSBORO — Fairfield Memorial Hospital has received confirmation that The Joint Commission is granting an “accredited” decision good for the next three years.

The full survey was conducted to assess compliance with the Medicare conditions for critical access hospitals through The Joint Commission’s deemed status survey process.

This organization evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations in the United States including more than 8,000 hospitals and 15,000 health care organizations and programs. The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization and is the oldest and largest standards setting and accrediting body in health care.

This recommendation applies not only to the hospital but to the Blue Granite Medical Center, 880 W. Moultrie St., Suite 300.

The hospital’s home health agency, Caring Neighbors Home Health, did so well with its Joint Commission survey that it was given the status of “deemed,” which gives them the privilege of not having to go through yearly surveys by the S.C. DHEC.

“We are proud to have successfully complied with The Joint Commission’s survey,” said Mike Williams, CEO of Fairfield Memorial Hospital. “This is a rigorous survey which lasts for three days. They scrutinize our quality of care, our medical records, the knowledge of our staff, the status of our environmental procedures and many other facets of hospital operations. This success is due to the dedicated and professional work of our employees whom I sincerely appreciate.”