(1/20/12) – McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety in hospitals. The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced on-site evaluation at both locations earlier this month. The three-year accreditation recognizes the dedication at McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards.

Ongoing compliance with Joint Commission standards results in sound management practices in the delivery of safe, high quality care. These include hospital leadership’s commitment to continuously raise quality and patient safety to higher levels.

Edward D. Tinsley, Administrator and President of McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast praised physicians and staff for their dedication to continually improving care. "Our entire staff is to be congratulated for their efforts in providing such a high level of quality care," said Tinsley. "This accreditation demonstrates our staff’s commitment to providing service excellence to our patients and their families."

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of accreditation. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission (www.jointcommission.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest standards setting and accrediting body in healthcare.

About McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast
Both hospitals provide care for residents of northern Horry and southern Brunswick and Columbus counties. Founded in 1950, McLeod Loris is a fully-accredited acute care facility with 105 licensed beds. McLeod Seacoast opened in 2000 as an outpatient facility. In July 2011, McLeod Seacoast began providing inpatient care as a 50-bed hospital. On January 9, 2012, both organizations became part of the McLeod family of quality healthcare facilities. Other facilities located in Horry County affiliated with McLeod Health are Loris Extended Care Center and the Center for Health and Fitness. The medical staff for McLeod Loris/Seacoast is made up of more than 120 active and affiliate physicians. McLeod Loris/Seacoast is one of the premier employers in Horry County with almost 800 employees.