FastMed Urgent Care Awarded Accreditation From The Joint Commission

CLAYTON, N.C., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- FastMed Urgent Care, the sixth largest urgent care provider in the United States, has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory health care.  The accreditation award recognizes FastMed's dedication to continuous compliance with the Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards.  FastMed is one of only 37 of the 5,250 non-hospital based urgent care centers in the U.S. and is the largest urgent care operator to earn the designation.

FastMed spent years developing best practices policies and procedures for excellence in patient care and urgent care management.  With this accreditation, it is now meeting The Joint Commission's high standards. The accreditation preparation and evaluation represented an eight-month process.  The Joint Commission accreditation survey included a rigorous on-site analysis in December 2013 during which 24 FastMed locations were surveyed by a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors who evaluated FastMed for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership, compliance, facilities safety, medication management and a multitude of additional requirements.

"Organizations that earn accreditation in ambulatory care from The Joint Commission have demonstrated the highest commitment to quality and safety to their patients, staff and their communities," said Michael Kulczycki, Executive Director, Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission.  "I commend FastMed for successfully achieving this pinnacle designation and for its dedication to continually improving patient care."

The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Care Standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of an ambulatory care organization.  The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.

"The Joint Commission's accreditation of FastMed is an honor, and a reflection of our commitment to meeting the highest performance standards in patient care," said Kevin L. Blank, President and Chief Executive Officer of FastMed. "Every day, the health care professionals and our entire support staff at FastMed hold themselves accountable to our mission of providing convenient, quality, affordable and personal care to everyone who visits a FastMed Urgent Care location.  We will continue to challenge ourselves to live up to this mission, to our accreditation and to remain in constant pursuit of excellence on behalf of our patients."

About The Joint Commission:
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.  The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,600 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,600 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services.  The Joint Commission also certifies more than 2,400 disease-specific care programs such as stroke, heart failure, joint replacement and stroke rehabilitation, and 400 health care staffing services.  An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.  Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About FastMed Urgent Care:
FastMed Urgent Care is an owner and operator of urgent care facilities with locations throughout North Carolina and Arizona.  FastMed focuses on the delivery of non-appointment based medicine to the non-emergency patient market.  The urgent care centers are open 365 days a year and are staffed with experienced and licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.  For more information, please visit www.fastmed.com.  FastMed is managed by an affiliated entity of one of the investment funds of the Comvest Group. 

About the Comvest Group:
The Comvest Group, with $1.2 billion of assets under management, provides flexible financing solutions to lower middle-market companies through its equity and debt funds, often meeting time-critical and complex funding requirements.  The firm includes seasoned, senior level operating executives who partner with managers and owners of companies to operationally improve businesses and create long-term value.  Since 2000, Comvest has invested more than $1.5 billion of capital in over 105 public and private companies.  For more information, please visit www.comvest.com.

Contact:
Reuel Heyden
Sr. Dir. Of Marketing | Community Relations
FastMed Urgent Care
Phone: 919.550.0821x1016
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE FastMed Urgent Care