Download PDF - Medical Tourism Magazine

Recommendations

Info

MEDICAL TOURISM The Value of Accreditation 12 DECEMBER 2007 Why Americans Needing Health Care Abroad Should Choose JCI-Accredited Facilities By KAREN TIMMONS President and Chief Executive Officer of Joint Commission International As Americans seek care in other countries, they look for reassurance that health care organizations abroad meet certain quality and safety standards they have come to expect. Therefore, hospitals abroad who hope to attract Americans to their institutions often seek Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, which is endorsed by the World Health Organization, because it demonstrates to the international community that the hospital has voluntarily sought an independent review of its commitment to safety and quality, and has met standards that contribute to good patient outcomes. But in addition, overseas hospitals tell us that they seek our consulting services and accreditation because our standards help them learn a common language – like that used by air traffic controllers – which ensures safety and consistency in the delivery of health care. Every hospital earning JCI accreditation must also set up parameters for a safe organization and meet JCI’s International Patient Safety goals. JCI is part of Joint Commission Resources (JCR), an affiliate of the U.S.-based Joint Commission. The Joint Commission accredits over 90% of hospitals in the United States. JCI extends the Joint Commission’s mission, which is to improve the quality and safety of patient care, into the international arena through international consultation, publications, education, and accreditation.
JCI is Different from JC Accreditation in the US JCI accreditation standards are comparable to Joint Commission accreditation standards, but they are different. The difference is that the JCI standards and survey process were adapted for the international community and designed to be culturally applicable and in compliance with laws and regulations in countries outside the United States. For example, informed consent by patients is a JCI requirement, but different cultures handle this in different ways. In some cultures, patients fill out a form in front of a witness, while in others a family member may be the only one allowed to give consent. JCI accreditation allows for these differences. JCI accreditation standards are comparable to Joint Commission accreditation standards, but they are different. JCI standards were developed by an International Standards Subcommittee made up of experts representing five major regions of the world. These standards address important topics such as the qualifications of doctors and nurses, properly assessing patients to match care to their identified medical needs, anesthesia procedures, and safe use of medicines. In addition to accreditation, JCI has extensive international experience working with public and private health care organizations and local governments in more than 60 countries. Part of meeting JCI’s mission is helping individual countries develop their own accreditation programs. In many countries, JCI works with the ministries of health to develop their own standards and establish their own accrediting bodies. JCI’s standards have also become a model for standards developed by governments around the world. Canadian Firms Pushing Cuban Healthcare Two Canadian-based medical tourism companies are offering overseas medical care to Cuba. That’s right, even though the US embargo makes it illegal for Americans to spend money there for treatment, these firms believe that the rising costs of healthcare may make some Americans take the plunge. Cuba currently boasts patients from Spain and Italy and many other countries and is known for high standards of care. While the issue of high standards is often disputed, no one can dispute the cost savings, with prices at about one third of the cost in the US for some procedures. Nevertheless, with Latin and Central America rising in the industry of medical tourism, and waiting times for some surgeries in Canada of up to 18 months, there will likely be a great rise in the numbers of Canadian patients heading to socialist Cuba. We believe Americans can receive high quality care internationally, but first, patients needing care abroad must carefully research the physicians and health care organizations they are considering using and visit our website to determine if the hospital is accredited by JCI. Using a JCI-accredited hospital is basically a risk-reduction activity because when hospitals improve patient care and safety, patients are more likely to have good outcomes. Americans using JCI-accredited hospitals will also find other advantages. JCI accreditation requires that every patient is spoken to in a language and manner they can understand and that patients are involved in their care decisions. Patient rights must be protected, including confidentiality and privacy. When a patient prepares to leave the hospital and return home to his country, we require that the hospital transfer information to the patient and provide recommendations for follow-up care at home. All of these steps make it less likely the medical traveler will have some type of error or problem with his care. How Accreditation Works JCI accreditation is a rigorous process for which most hospitals prepare at least a year, if not longer. JCI accreditation is for a period of three years. After three years, JCI will conduct a full, onsite survey. Before accrediting a hospital, JCI sends in a team, usually including a doctor, nurse, and administrator, for a period of 3 to 5 days. Although at this time, the JCI surveys are announced visits, JCI may move to unannounced visits in the future. Our surveyors use a tracer methodology, which is a systems approach, rather than just examining each department within a hospital. We believe the best way to gauge the quality of care provided by an institution is to trace the journey of patients as they move through the institution and examine how various departments work together to provide the care they need. Typically we trace 8 or more patients during our site visits. JCI has approximately 300 standards which hospitals must meet and 1200 measurable elements which is what surveyors examine and score. Before leaving, surveyors conduct an exit interview with administrators, and hospital leadership is given a copy of the preliminary report, which allows them to know whether or not they will likely receive accreditation. All reports are confidential; all we share with the public is a list of the hospitals currently accredited by our organization. There are approximately 140 JCI-accredited hospitals in 26 countries. For the names of these hospitals or more information on JCI accreditation, you can visit our website at www.jointcommissioninternational.com. DECEMBER 2007 13
Page 3 and 4: The MTA Advisory Board includes ROB
Page 5 and 6: December 2007 Medical Tourism AT A
Page 7 and 8: Ayurveda, acupuncture, osteopathy,
Page 10 and 11: MEDICAL TOURISM SELECTING A MEDICAL
Page 14 and 15: MEDICAL TOURISM Financial Savings i
Page 16 and 17: So you manage a hospital or work wi
Page 18 and 19: MEDICAL TOURISM occurred outside of
Page 20 and 21: MEDICAL TOURISM Costa Rica: From Ec
Page 22: MEDICAL TOURISM doctors and then a
Page 26 and 27: MEDICAL TOURISM Costa Rica Who are
Page 28: MEDICAL TOURISM ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Page 31 and 32: The day before traveling: � Make
Page 33 and 34: and some of the biggest American co
Page 35 and 36: typically have questions they would
Page 37 and 38: arrangements. Getting off the plane
Page 40 and 41: MEDICAL TOURISM Understanding the A
Page 42 and 43: MEDICAL TOURISM Change is the only
Page 44 and 45: In recent years medical tourism has
Page 46 and 47: By MICHAEL BINA Driven by “The Nu
Page 48 and 49: Why pay for performance? Pay for pe
Page 50 and 51: satisfaction, clinical treatment, a
Page 52 and 53: MEDICAL TOURISM What is Self-funded
Page 54 and 55: MEDICAL TOURISM PLANNING YOUR MEDIC
Page 56 and 57: What is Your Country’s Ranking? T
Page 58 and 59: MEDICAL TOURISM The Boomers are Com
Page 60: As Boomers age, the number with mul

Download PDF - Medical Tourism Magazine

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?