The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced last Tuesday that the Lincoln Regional Center received continued accreditation from the Joint Commission, a nonprofit that evaluates health care entities.

The 250-bed state psychiatric hospital serves more than 400 patients a year, including providing evaluation, assessment and treatment for people as ordered by the Nebraska legal system, according to a DHHS news release.

“Joint Commission accreditation is the highest standard of excellence that you can have in the field,” said Lincoln Regional Center Hospital Administrator Ashley Sacrister. “It raises the bar in your facility and is an ever-present reminder of what we’re working towards – excellence.”

The commission conducts unannounced visits every three years. Surveyors found “impressive” programming and praised the center for staff engagement.

“One of the surveyors said that you could see the passion and care in their eyes for our patients,” Sacriste said in a release.

DHHS Facilities Director Mark LaBouchardiere said accreditation – which includes the center’s sex offender residential building and its satellite Whitehall Campus for boys who have been sexually harmed – is evidence the state runs a high-performing psychiatric facility.

“The surveyors commented multiple times about the quality of staff we have and quality of care we are delivering,” LaBouchardiere said. “We are very proud of our team.”