New York, June 1, 2005 - Guidance Medical Personnel Inc. has achieved the Gold Seal of Approval for health care staffing services. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) has awarded Guidance Medical Personnel, Inc. Health Care Staffing Services Certification for one Year. Guidance Medical Personnel, Inc. Met national standards addressing how staffing, firms determine the qualifications and competency of their staff, how they place their staff and then monitor staff performance.

"Health care organizations that contract with Guidance Medical Personnel, Inc. can look to this certification as an assurance that Guidance Medical Personnel, Inc. demonstrates a commitment to providing and continuously improving quality services," says Michele Sacco, executive director, Health Care Staffing Services Certification, Joint Commission.

The ongoing shortages of nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals have forced health care organizations to increasingly fill positions with temporary workers through contractual arrangements with staffing firms. The Joint Commission certification program was launched in October 2004 to offer an independent, comprehensive evaluation of a staffing firm's abilities to provide competent staffing services.

"Certification recognizes Guidance Medical Personnel, Inc.'s dedication to providing health care staff that are qualified to provide safe, high-quality care to patients," says Brita Edman, Chief Operating Officer. "We're proud to receive the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval."

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,000 other health plans, integrated delivery network , and other managed care entities. In addition, the Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs and primary stroke centers. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.