Bethpage Hospital Receives National Gold Seal of Approval for Knee and Hip Joint Replacements

Catholic Health’s St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for both Joint Replacement – Knee Certification and Joint Replacement – Hip Certification. The Gold Seal demonstrates continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s rigorous performance standards and highlights St. Joseph’s exceptional efforts to improve outcomes by meeting the specialized needs of patients receiving knee and hip replacements.

“We are extremely proud of the St. Joseph team for being recognized by The Joint Commission for the exceptional, orthopedic care provided to patients in our community,” said Joseph Manopella, president of St. Joseph Hospital. “The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that further solidifies our commitment to delivering comprehensive, safe, and excellent care while enhancing the patient experience. I’m so proud of our team!”

In May 2025, St. Joseph Hospital underwent a comprehensive onsite review. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated the hospital’s compliance with hip and knee joint replacement standards, including patient education, staff education, performance monitoring, patient-reported outcomes, clinical documentation, adherence to evidence-based practice, and hospital policies. This evaluation is one of the final steps in a thorough process to demonstrate continuous compliance with certification standards. 

The certification recognizes health care organizations that offer clinical programs across the continuum of care for knee and hip replacements. The certification evaluates how organizations utilize clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as how they educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.

Orthopedic surgeons at St. Joseph Hospital use the latest technological advances and minimally invasive methods—including robotic-assisted surgery. Many patients now go home on the same day as their procedure. The surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and clinical staff work together to educate patients about their surgery ahead of time and prepare them for a successful recovery at home.

“Our team tracks quality metrics, monitors safety and patient experience, and remains innovative in our care,” said Eric Lepkowsky, MD, chief of joint replacement at St. Joseph Hospital. “I’m proud of our team for continuously raising the bar to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients, and I’m honored that patients, who have many choices when it comes to elective surgeries, continue to trust us with these life-changing procedures.”

To schedule a consultation with a Catholic Health or St. Joseph Hospital orthopedist, call (866) 891-9691.