VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AWARDED LABORATORY SERVICES ACCREDITION FROM JOINT COMMISSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Mariana Tumlinson

Valley Regional Medical Center

(956) 545-4588 (cell)

Mariana.Tumlinson@hcahealthcare.com

VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AWARDED LABORATORY SERVICES ACCREDITION FROM JOINT COMMISSION

Blood utilization rates amongst the highest-ranking metric

BROWNSVILLE, TX – Feb. 5, 2026 – Valley Regional Medical Center has again earned Laboratory Accreditation from The Joint Commission, an independent, evidence-based standards-setting organization that establishes the benchmark for safe, high-quality patient care through healthcare accreditation. This accomplishment formally recognizes Valley Regional Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to meeting rigorous performance standards and delivering the safest, highest quality care to its patients.

Valley Regional Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite survey in October 2025. During the visit, a Joint Commission surveyor assessed compliance across key performance areas, including proficiency testing and blood utilization, the facility’s highest-ranking metric.

“Blood utilization is one of the most important aspects of patient safety,” said Ramon Leos, director of laboratory services. “Every unit of blood must be used appropriately to minimize risk and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. Proper utilization not only conserves resources but also protects patients from unnecessary transfusions and potential complications.”

Why Accreditation Matters:

• Independent Verification: Accreditation provides third-party confirmation that a hospital’s laboratory meets rigorous quality standards, delivering accurate and reliable results.
• Enhanced Safety: Through comprehensive risk management practices, accreditation helps improve safety for patients and staff.
• Superior Quality in Critical Care: Accredited laboratories ensure better quality outcomes in critical care areas, where precision and reliability are essential.

This year marks the hospital’s most successful laboratory inspection to date, with the laboratory achieving the lowest deficiency rate of any inspection within the past decade.

Joint Commission surveyors conduct on-site observations and interviews to identify performance strengths and opportunities for continued improvement. With decades of expertise and a data-driven accreditation process, Joint Commission helps ensure healthcare organizations adhere to leading quality and safety practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and commitment to better patient care.

“Joint Commission congratulates Valley Regional Medical Center for achieving accreditation by demonstrating its focus on delivering safe and effective care of the highest quality and value,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, Joint Commission. “Through the accreditation process, we worked closely with Valley Regional Medical Center to enable and affirm the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety. Together, we are elevating care for all patients, and we appreciate Valley Regional Medical Center’s collaboration throughout this process.”

“Staff involvement is essential to the success of our survey because the tracer methodology focuses on direct patient care,” said Joe Hernandez, chief executive officer. “We’re especially proud of our laboratory services team for their commitment to excellence and for achieving the lowest deficiency rate of any inspection within the past decade.”

For more information, please visit Joint Commission’s website.

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About Valley Regional Medical Center

Valley Regional Medical Center has proudly served the Rio Grande Valley community for 50 years. The full-service, 214-bed-acute-care facility offers services including cardiovascular care, 24/7 neuroendovascular care, general and minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation services. As an accredited Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center, Valley Regional Medical Center is well-equipped to provide 24/7 emergency treatment to the Brownsville community and surrounding areas. In 2025, the hospital received a Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence and Surgical Care Excellence Awards. For more information, visit valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com.

About HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division

HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers and diagnostic imaging facilities in greater Houston, Corpus Christi and South Texas. Facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 17 acute care and specialty hospitals, 13 ambulatory surgery centers, 24 3D breast imaging centers, 31 freestanding emergency centers, 28 CareNow® urgent care centers, three air ambulances, more than 100 physician practices and a regional transfer center that provides support for patient transfers into and out of HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division hospitals as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services with 182 hospitals and 2,300+ sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, home health, and physician clinics located in 20 states and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit HCAgulfcoast.com.