Awards & Outcomes

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.

 United Regional underwent a rigorous, week-long on-site survey in 2025. We are proud to have again achieved a three-year accreditation status. Joint Commission accreditation means United Regional complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and is committed to continually improving patient care.

United Regional Physician Group has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), distinguishing URPG from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety.

Status as an accredited organization means URPG has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC. The intent of accreditation is for organizations to adopt policies and procedures that fuel ongoing quality improvement and self-evaluation every day.

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking AAAHC accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and onsite survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care. The survey is peer-based and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.

Since 2016, United Regional’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has received national certification annually from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification process recognizes programs that have been reviewed by the AACVPR national board and found to have met the rigorous requirements for standards of care.

Since 2010, United Regional has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for excellence in stroke and cardiac care through the Get With The Guidelines® program — including the Stroke Gold Plus Award, Stroke Honor Roll Elite, and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll — demonstrating our commitment to evidence-based care and outstanding patient outcomes.

United Regional Health Care System has been nationally recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) with the HeartCARE National Distinction of Excellence. This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular care.

In 2024, United Regional’s Bariatric Surgery Center received re-accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Accredited Centers participate in a rigorous evaluation process that documents the comprehensiveness of the program and meets established program requirements for providing safe bariatric surgical care with excellent short- and long-term outcomes.

United Regional is accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with PCI and Heart Failure Program, recognizing our advanced expertise in treating patients with heart attack and heart failure symptoms. This accreditation highlights our use of standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols that support faster, more effective care for chest pain, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions.

United Regional is proud to have achieved the distinction as a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification. The Joint Commission’s Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Achievement of certification signifies that the services we provide have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. It is the best signal to our community that the quality care we provide is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. United Regional treats approximately 600 stroke patients annually and serves as the hub of the area’s Stroke Network

We are honored to have achieved verification of a Level II Trauma Facility from the American College of Surgeons. Our Level II Trauma designation was re-verified in 2022. This achievement recognizes United Regional’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients and substantiates that we provide not only the resources necessary for trauma care, but the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients, from the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.

United Regional was awarded the American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for quality diabetes self-management education in 2017 and continues to earn this recognition annually. Recognition of our program assures that it meets the national standards and offers high quality education services for the patients we serve.

United Regional has been officially named a Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center by the American College of Radiology. This recognition reflects our center’s accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast ultrasound, including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and MRI breast imaging.

In 2023 United Regional received the the Pathway to Excellence® re-designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The Pathway to Excellence designation confirms the professional satisfaction of nurses at United Regional and identifies it as one of the best places to work. To earn the Pathway to Excellence distinction, we underwent a thorough review process that documented the quality initiatives used in creating a positive work environment — as defined by nurses and supported by research.

In 2023, United Regional received a 2-year re-certification for the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.

The advanced certification is for Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers seeking to elevate the quality, consistency and safety of their services and patient care.

Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with advanced disease-specific care standards and total hip and total knee replacement requirements, including orthopedic consultation, and pre-operative, intraoperative and post-surgical orthopedic surgeon follow-up care.

United Regional Health Care System has been designated as a Level II Neonatal Facility (Special Care Nursery) in Perinatal Care Region-C from the Texas Department of State Health Services.  This three-year state designation proves United Regional’s commitment to ensuring quality care for our neonatal patients. This designation also recognizes the skilled personnel who have documented training, competencies and specific annual continuing education.