YOKOSUKA, Japan  –   U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka successfully completed its Joint Commission survey in June 2026, earning accreditation for all hospital services surveyed, and recognition for organizational best practices in patient safety, process improvement and clinical oversight.

During a Sept. 1 presentation recognizing the accreditation decision, Capt. Raj Singaraju, Chief Medical Officer at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, presented the Joint Commission accreditation certificate to Capt. Joshua A. Miller, Director of U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and Commanding Officer of USNMRTC Yokosuka.

“I am exceptionally proud of the USNH Yokosuka team whose sustained professionalism, attention to detail and commitment to safe, high-quality care earned this recognition,” Miller said. “This achievement reflects the dedicated work of our military, civilian and host-nation personnel over many months. I am honored to join the command as it builds on that strong foundation and continues advancing care for our patients and readiness for the force.”

The Joint Commission’s hospital accreditation decision took effect June 13, 2026. The organization also received Primary Care Medical Home certification, effective the same date.

The Joint Commission survey evaluates patient safety, clinical quality, emergency preparedness, credentialing, infection prevention and leadership oversight. The survey marked the culmination of months of preparation across the USNH Yokosuka enterprise, which includes U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka and branch health clinics throughout Japan, South Korea and Diego Garcia.

The achievement followed a demanding year in which personnel balanced mission requirements, regulatory inspections and real-world emergency responses while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care. The command responded to facility infrastructure disruptions, increased readiness requirements, a tsunami warning, a typhoon and installation emergency responses.

Surveyors recognized the command’s Kaizen-driven process-improvement program, provider credentialing and privileging process, and patient-safety planning at Branch Health Clinic Sasebo. These practices were documented in The Joint Commission’s Survey Analysis For Evaluating Strengths, or SAFEST, Report.

“This recognition reflects the daily commitment of our clinicians, staff and support personnel to provide safe, high-quality care for every patient we serve,” Singaraju said. “The practices recognized in the SAFEST Report show how our teams turn frontline observations into practical improvements that strengthen patient safety, clinical quality and readiness across the enterprise.”

One area that drew praise was the command’s use of Kaizen boards. The department-level displays allow staff members to identify problems, track improvement projects, measure results and share ideas to improve patient care, safety and operational efficiency. The SAFEST Report noted that the boards encourage participation at every level of the command and promote shared ownership of improvements.

Since 2017, the initiative has generated hundreds of process improvements across the organization.

“Continuous process improvement is a cornerstone of a high-reliability organization,” Singaraju said. “Our Kaizen boards bring improvement conversations to every department and every level of the command. The Joint Commission’s recognition validates the engagement and innovation our staff demonstrate every day.”

Surveyors also cited the measurable effect of the command’s Kaizen culture. A recent Lean Six Sigma project reduced the average Personnel Qualification Standard completion time for dental corpsmen from 14.25 months to 3.83 months. The project also increased qualification rates from 73% to 88% and improved provider-ranked competency scores in 9 of 10 areas.

The Joint Commission recognized the project as an example of how frontline ideas can strengthen both workforce readiness and patient care.

The SAFEST Report also recognized the command’s provider credentialing and privileging process. The Joint Commission cited its user-friendly Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation system, which combines enterprise-wide performance measures with department-specific metrics while tracking specialty privileges and clinical activity. Reviewers noted that the system gives leaders actionable information to support clinical competency decisions and patient-safety oversight.

Branch Health Clinic Sasebo was recognized for tailoring patient-safety resources to the local community. Surveyors noted that the clinic provides patients with information that reflects resources available in its service area rather than relying on generic systemwide guidance.

The recognition aligns with the command’s recent “Most Creative Kaizen Board” competition, which highlighted innovative approaches to process improvement throughout the organization. Yokosuka General Dentistry earned first place, followed by the Maternal Infant Unit and Iwakuni Public Health Department. Reviewers noted that the creative boards increased visibility, interaction and staff engagement.

The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States and internationally. Its surveys evaluate organizations against nationally recognized standards intended to improve patient safety and quality of care.

For USNH Yokosuka, the survey results, accreditation and SAFEST recognition reflect the command’s continued commitment to safe, high-quality care for beneficiaries throughout Japan while sustaining readiness in one of the Defense Health Agency and Navy Medicine’s most operationally demanding regions.