Andalusia Regional Hospital has been named a “top performer on key quality measures” by a national health care accreditation commission.

The Joint Commission, which accredits health care organizations across the country, recently recognized ARH, along with 32 other Alabama hospitals and 1,098 others in the nation.

The Joint Commission uses performance in evidence-based clinical processes including care for heart attack, pneumonia, surgery, children’s asthma, stroke and venous thromboembolism, to make its determinations.

The top performer designation is awarded to hospitals “who attain and sustain excellence in clinical care,” according to the commission. Of the more than 3,000 hospitals nationwide to report performance data in 2012, about 1,100 of them were named top performers.

As a result of the top performer designation, ARH will be recognized on the Joint Commission’s Qualitycheck.org website and in two of the commission’s publications: “The Joint Commission Perspectives” and “The Source.”

“All top performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement and they should be proud of their achievement,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president and chief executive officer, the Joint Commission. “We have much to celebrate this year. Nearly half of our accredited hospitals have attained or nearly attained the Top Performer distinction.”

ARH CEO Rebecca Brewton said, “We understand that what matters most to patients at Andalusia Regional Hospital is safe, effective care. That’s why we have made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes.

“ARH is proud to receive the distinction of being a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures,” she said.