Healthways Supports Desert Springs to Become First Hospital Granted the Joint Commission Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care.

Healthways Supports Las Vegas Hospital in Achieving Rigorous Requirements, Including Assuring Hospital Employees Are Knowledgeable about Diabetes and Basics of Its Care

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Desert Springs Hospital, partnering with Healthways Hospital Diabetes Service, is the first in the United States to earn a Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care from the Joint Commission, the national organization accrediting healthcare organizations across the United States. Healthways supported the hospital's campaign for certification, which meets protocols established by The Joint Commission and the American Diabetes Association providing better outcomes for patients with diabetes.

"Achieving advanced certification demonstrates a commitment by Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center to promoting safe quality care. Through systematic monitoring of all diabetic patients, outcomes can be improved. This will lead to a better quality of life for diabetic patients," said Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., Executive Director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission.

Healthways supported the hospital by providing a program outlining the steps for achieving the award, training tools and supporting the Desert Springs Diabetes Program Director in monthly conference calls reviewing the hospital's progress. Healthways is currently working with two additional hospitals on achieving certification.

"Healthways is proud to have helped Desert Springs through this very important, but very vigorous, certification process," said Joanne Westerfield, vice president, account management, Healthways Hospital Diabetes Services. "There are so many variables in diabetes care. People with diabetes have told us they wish they could check their diabetes at the door when admitted to a hospital because standards of care can vary so widely even within one hospital. This certification reflects that Desert Springs has accomplished The Joint Commission's standards to improve the care of people with diabetes, and that every employee of the hospital possesses at least a fundamental knowledge of the disease and its basic care."

Spreading diabetes education beyond nurses will affect the quality of care for people with diabetes and improve outcomes. For example, an aid helping with a bath will know to look for skin breakdowns, or pay special attention to the feet of a patient with diabetes. An employee passing meal trays will realize the importance of timely food delivery - understanding that diabetic patients may experience a negative event if the food is either too early or too late. "We sought certification for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patients' safety and quality care," said Sam Kaufman, CEO/Managing Director Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "We view obtaining Joint Commission certification as another step toward achieving excellence."

About Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center

Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, a 286-bed acute care facility located in southeast Las Vegas, has been providing quality healthcare to the residents of southern Nevada since 1971. The hospital provides 24-hour emergency services, including a fast-track area in the ER to treat less acute patients. It has been referred to as the "Heart Hospital" by longtime residents for its solid reputation as a leader in cardiac care. Desert Springs is the first Nevada hospital to be nationally accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. It also is home to the Center for Surgical Weight Loss, which is nationally accredited as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Desert Springs Hospital was the first hospital in the United States to receive The Joint Commission's Certification for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care.

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and 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.

About Healthways

Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive Health and Care Support(SM) solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and, as a result, reduce overall healthcare costs. Healthways' programs are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate and slow the progression of disease associated with family or lifestyle risk factors and promote the best possible health for those already affected by disease. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.healthways.com.