Northwell Health’s Phelps Hospital has received its fourth consecutive accreditation from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), earning the organization’s highest recognition, Accreditation with Distinction. This is the third time Phelps Hospital has received this distinction, placing it among only 18 hospitals in the United States to achieve this level of recognition.
The UHMS accreditation is awarded every four years and is considered a leading standard for hyperbaric medicine programs globally. The process involves a comprehensive evaluation over several days, during which hospitals must meet more than 650 criteria related to patient safety, facility infrastructure, equipment maintenance, and staff qualifications.
Owen J. O’Neill, MD, MPH, FUHM, FACHM, founding medical director of the Department of Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine at Phelps Hospital, commented on the achievement: “The Accreditation with Distinction highlights the exceptional quality of care consistently provided by our dedicated hyperbaric medicine team, which is among the most experienced in the nation. Our department reflects the highest standards of patient safety, clinical care and operational excellence that define Phelps Hospital.”
