Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute in Nashville has been named a "Top Performer on Key Quality Measures" by The Joint Commission, the leading accrediting body for health care organizations in the United States. The recognition is based on the staff's ability to achieve excellence in clinical practices that improve the quality of behavioral health services offered to patients.

"It's no surprise that the professionals at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute would be recognized for their commitment to excellence," said E. Douglas Varney, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). "We are working very hard to ensure the best care at our state mental health institutes, and the latest findings by The Joint Commission demonstrate that fact."

Criteria to be a Joint Commission Top Performer

• Achieve a 95% score or above across all reported accountability measures
• Achieve a 95% score or above where there are at least 30 patient cases
• Have at least one core measure set that has a composite rate of 95% or above

Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute was first recognized as a Top Performer in 2012, soon after The Joint Commission included inpatient psychiatric facilities in its accreditation program. Now, as a recipient of the recognition two years in a row, the staff of mental health professionals continue to demonstrate their ability to maintain high standards in patient care.

"We take this work very seriously and it shows. We are always striving for excellence," said Bob Micinski, CEO of Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute. "I am exceedingly proud of our staff who is so dedicated to exceptional patient care. They are top performers, and we share this recognition together."

In addition to being included in The Joint Commission's "Improving America's Hospitals" annual report, released October 30, Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute is recognized on www.qualitycheck.org, and will be featured on The Joint Commission website and in its annual report.

About Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute

Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and serves individuals in a 18 county region of the state. It is one of four Regional Mental Health Institutes in Tennessee, providing in-patient psychiatric services for adults.