Joint Commission international khaleej times | ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT | MonDAY, JAnuArY 25, 2016
Where patients come first
Jci accreditation is a sign of distinctive accomplishment ■ Latha Krishnan
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ll over the world, the healthcare industry and community view Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation as the gold standard. A healthcare organisation that has met the rigorous standards of JCI can proudly display the JCI Gold Seal of Approval™ as a sign of this distinctive accomplishment. When you see the Gold Seal of Approval on the premises of JCIaccredited organisations or in their communications you can be sure the organisation is focused on providing the highest quality of care and safety. The Gold Seal of Approval is a visible sign of the commitment of the healthcare organisation to deliver quality care in a safe environment. “At a JCI-accredited healthcare organisation the patient comes first, always. Accreditation helps organisations focus on the most important aspects of improvement that affect the quality of care and patient safety including things such as provider qualifications, infection control, coordination of care and the physical environment,” says Dr Ashraf Ismail, Managing Director of the JCI Middle East Office in Dubai. JCI accreditation is centred
around 340 standards. The standards are patient-centric and focus on the systems in healthcare organisations so that they consistently provide the same high-quality care. JCI stipulates compliance with continuous quality monitoring activities as part of its accreditation programme to help the healthcare organisation provide the best care of the highest quality at all times. More than 50 per cent of the JCI accreditation standards focus on patient safety. The leaders and authoritative figures in the healthcare industry realise this and pur-
sue accreditation because they are committed to putting patients first in all that they do. Patients at a JCI-accredited hospital are treated with respect of their beliefs, customs, etc. In addition, they are aware of and participate in all the decisions regarding their treatment. It is mandatory for the organisation to develop and implement a patient bill of rights. Empowerment of patients is a critical cornerstone in patient safety standards of JCI. If patient safety is compromised at an accredited organisation, then JCI has prescribed procedures and practices to help organisations. They also provide ample support at these junctures, although JCI has prepared them to face such risks. Risk management is a full chapter in the JCI standards manual and prepares organisations to identify risks and manage them effectively. Dr Ismail adds, “Healthcare organisations have to be 100 per cent compliant with the JCI standards to get the coveted JCI accreditation and Gold Seal of Approval. Our surveyors keep track of each accredited organisation’s compliance in operations and even conduct unannounced visits to ensure the high quality care is consistent. We care about patients at all times.”
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Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH)
notch above the rest Johns hopkins aramco healthcare company is a joint venture between saudi aramco and Johns hopkins medicine Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) offers those in the medical field career fulfilment and development opportunities in a patient-centred environment where their contributions are valued. The organisation takes pride in continuous improvement and encourages professional advancement combined with career stability. JHAH has a dynamic blend of people from around the world who work together to achieve remarkable results. Formed in 2014, JHAH is the result of a joint venture between Saudi Aramco, a world leader in energy, and Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the world’s
leading academic health systems. This healthcare organisation is designed to drive and enhance the well-being of the community in an environment of growth and learning by providing innovative, integrated and patient-centric care to Saudi Aramco’s employees and healthcare beneficiaries. Before evolving into JHAH, the organisation had been providing high-quality clinical care for almost 80 years as Saudi Aramco Medical Services Organisation (SAMSO). SAMSO, as
it was then known, was first accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organisations (JCAHO) in 1956. It first achieved accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI) in 2002, and has continued this journey every three years since. The organisation emphasises the “journey” because it sees it as an ongoing process of learning, sharing, improving and achieving everhigher standards of quality patient care.