When traveling abroad, it is not uncommon to need medical help

Accidents and injuries occur; conditions ‘act up’ and allergic reactions kick in.

Whether it’s for an injury, accident, or emergency, U.S. travelers may find themselves looking to a hospital in a foreign land for treatment. The search may leave the traveler scratching his head.

Hospital Accreditation

Where should I go? What kind of medical staff will treat me? Will I get the same quality of care here that I would in the States? While these are good questions, and there is one organization that is happy to bring you peace of mind with hospital accreditation standards: Joint Commission International (JCI).

What is the Joint Commission International?

Since 1994, JCI serves as an independent, not-for-profit organization, and functions as the international branch of The Joint Commission. It works in conjunction with the ministries of health as well as global health care organizations in over 80 countries. Its standards were developed by a committee of international experts in the field of medicine, health care professionals, who set specific and achievable expectations.

What are JCI, JCAHO, and JCI Hospital Accreditation Standards?

The Joint Commission, also known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), was founded in 1951. It surveys and accredits over 15,000 U.S. health care organizations. JCI or JCAHO evaluates hospitals in Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. As of June 2012, the JCI-accredited hospitals listed 375 hospitals in 47 countries.

JCI holds these worldwide facilities to a standard and the accreditation process is not quick and easy. While the bar is high, the JCI has developed an international standard, taking into account cultural issues and health care systems. These standards are comparable to those in the U.S. In 2010, JCI hospitals each paid on average $46,000 for their JCI survey.

The first JCI hospital accreditation standards were awarded to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, a private, non-profit, non-governmental facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1999. Since then, about 450 private and public health care organizations have been JCI certified in 50 countries.

JCI focuses on patient care and patient safety. JCI consultants and surveyors are highly trained clinicians and advocates and work with health care organizations, seeking ways to improve care through accreditation, certification, advisory and educational services. They look for a particular level of international quality such as favorable practices; risk reduction and a reduction of reducing adverse events. The JCI lends expertise in prescription safety, infection control, facility safety, and compliance with hospital accreditation standards.

Being a JCI certified hospital means that health care organizations have access to a variety of benefits, services, and resources, connecting them to an international medical community. They provide educational consulting to international health care providers, helping them to develop their own clinical services with practical solutions. JCI strives to improve the quality of patient care, boost patient safety practices, decrease and control risk, as well as to attain international standards.

Working with Its Own Accreditation

Interestingly, JCI has received its own four-year accreditation from the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) in June 2011. ISQua accreditation ensures that JCI’s international efforts meet the highest international target for accreditation entities:

  • Accreditation program
  • Hospital standards
  • Primary care services
  • Clinical laboratories
  • Ambulatory care associations
  • Home and long term care
  • Clinical care program certification (15 types)
  • On-site surveyor training worldwide

JCI hospitals are located around the world, offering the best care and patient safety. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands when using the services that come with high JCI or JACHO hospital accreditation standards.

 Additional Types of Hospital Accreditation
Sharing is caring
Recommended Posts

Start typing and press Enter to search

Medical Websites Provide Medical Help Online with Medical InformationWhy International Patients Choose Accredited International Hospitals