For the first time in its history, the 31st Medical Group received zero demerits during their recent Joint Commission inspection at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 15-16, 2025.
The Joint Commission sets a standard for a level of healthcare delivery that is safe, effective and is adequate in making sure that organizations are meeting standards of care and doing what they can for the best patient care outcomes. Every three years, Joint Commission inspectors evaluate facilities, policies and day-to-day operations to ensure adherence to these standards.
The Joint Commission is the recognized global leader with decades of expertise in the health care industry and a focus of helping organizations achieve highly reliable delivery of care and patient safety.
“We have over 800 standards that we need to uphold and excel at,” said Manuela Solda, 31st MDG facility manager. “Everyone has been collaborating together perfectly, which has been the key.”
In 2025, TJC inspected 23,000 healthcare organizations, and only 28 of them received a zero findings inspection.
“For TJC to come in and not have overly critical feedback, speaks to how prepared and operationally ready our medics are,” said Samantha Miles, 31st MDG director of clinical quality and risk management. “It shows that they’re doing all the right things to ensure patient safety.”
The 31st MDG’s TJC preparation team conducted real-time feedback and follow-up sessions within the various medical squadrons to ensure readiness before the inspection.
“When you have to deliver healthcare and also be a military service member, you have two missions to accomplish effectively,” said Miles. “Our team strives to be one hundred percent at both.”