Accreditation: Why is it Important to You?

Accreditation is considered a standard through which a healthcare facility or service is shown to offer quality and healthcare that meet minimum standards and guidelines offered by various domestic and international quality boards.

For example, individuals want, and deserve, quality in healthcare, whether for dental, cosmetic, bariatric or other treatments and surgical procedures. Anyone entering a healthcare facility deserves to know that staff is trained, facilities are clean and that procedures follow standards that reduce chances of error, infection or negligence.

Healthcare and hospital accreditation in the U.S. is standard practice, but such is not the case for many international healthcare providers. Due to the growing popularity of healthcare tourism, however, international facilities are increasingly desirous of being rated (or graded) by U.S. and International accreditation organizations in order to offer competitive procedures in the fields of bariatric surgery and care, dental and cosmetic and plastic surgeries, as well as fertility treatment treatments and procedures.

Accreditation Organizations
One of the most well-known accreditation agencies in the world are the Joint Commission and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, (JC and JCAHO), the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC), and the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA). Global healthcare in destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, India, South America, Egypt, Jordan, Hungary, Turkey and Croatia also see the need to show high standards and quality of medical care, and have taken steps to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as well as the Society for International Healthcare Accreditation (SOFIHA) based out of Britain. This is in addition to accreditation within domestic quality healthcare standards organizations in their own country of origin.

The Joint Commission and others designed like it evaluate medical facilities based on a standard of requirements that must be met in order to ‘pass’ inspection. Such considerations are key focal points of such inspection teams:

• Medical staff credentials and training
• Nursing staff credentials and training
• Medication Management
• Infection Control
• Environment of Care
• Patient Rights
• Provision of Care Treatment Services

Such accreditation groups are not only expected, but also common in countries like the U.S., Western Europe, Australia and Canada, but recently, medical facilities in locations throughout the world are applying for accreditation from world-recognized organizations that literally place a ‘stamp of approval’ on a sole practitioner’s neighborhood office or a 300-bed state-of-the-art hospital.

Accreditation guidelines ensure an external review and evaluation of quality as well as management practices in a wide range of medical fields and scenarios. The focus is on patient care, from the moment they access care to when they are discharged from a hospital or medical facility. Other factors taken into consideration for accreditation include:

• Quality of hands-on care
• Education and training of staff
• Proof of educational credentials
• Ethical standards
• Accreditation incorporates every department in healthcare facilities, including laboratory, pharmacy, infection control services, Human Resources and Health Information Technology services.

Medical Traveler Basics
Individual medical travelers must take the time to assess standards of care in foreign destinations. Medical care environments in foreign destinations are certainly different than what most Americans find in their own hospital settings. However, it might help to assess care by taking into consideration the following factors:

• Quality, education and certification of facility medical staff
• Evidence of continuing educational opportunities for medical staff
• Track record of the clinic or hospital
• Infection control record of clinic or hospital
• Potential geographical risks of tropical disease/infections

ISQua
Individuals wishing to find information about a specific facility may find resources at the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is considered the “umbrella” organization for international healthcare accreditation issues. Representing about 70 countries to date, ISQua is dedicated to improving safety and quality of care in facilities throughout the world.

Other International Accreditation facilities include:

• The United Kingdom Accreditation Forum (UKAF)
• Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI)
• Canadian Council on Health Services Regulation (CCHSA)
• Joint Commission International (JCI)
• Trent Accreditation Scheme – aka Trent (U.K., Europe, Hong Kong, Malta, Philippines)

Conclusion
Before flying to a foreign destination for a surgical procedure or treatment, consumers are advised to carefully research the facility of his or her choice. Whenever possible, choose facilities that are accredited by domestic and credible accreditation organizations as well as International accreditation organizations such as those mentioned above.

Affordable Lasik Surgery in Bangkok, Thailand

by TRSC International LASIK Center

TRSC has served more than 3000 international patients to date. We have patients traveling from USA, UK, Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the neighboring countries in Asia such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

A recent TRSC research showed that nearly 30% of our patients are international visitors to Thailand. It can be categorized into 2 groups of patients. First are the patients who are traveling to Bangkok for a combined visit for leisure and LASIK at TRSC and the other group is traveling to Bangkok only for LASIK treatment due to our reputation, great service and lower cost. Most of these are referrals from past patients who are very satisfied with the results of their LASIK treatments.

Majority of our international patients have chosen TRSC for the LASIK surgery as we are refractive surgery specialists. TRSC does not provide a wide-range of eye treatments as do hospitals or other private clinics. TRSC has become very skilled in this regard due to such a narrow focus. Apart from LASIK, we also provide other means of vision correction such as PRK, NV LASIK, Phakic IOL and cataract surgery. Depending on patient eye measurements, some of the following other vision correction options may better suited for patients. The surgeon will be able to provide more information as to which procedure is right for you. 

Over the last few years Thailand has become a hub for medical tourists from all around Asia and the rest of the world. A TRSC study showed that our international patients travel to TRSC for LASIK treatment due to various reasons. The two most important being the experience of the surgeon, and the price. We offer LASIK at at fraction of the cost back home with the same or better medical equipment and technology  Services are of excellent quality and we can be available at short notice unlike, long waiting lists for surgery in western countries with government-regulated healthcare.

Patients also come to Thailand from all over the world not just for LASIK at TRSC, but they can combine other medical services in Bangkok on the same trip. As an added bonus, they can enjoy the holidays in the beautiful country of Thailand for the same cost that will pay for only the treatment back home.

Please CLICK HERE to request additional information or to setup an appointment with TRSC International LASIK Center

Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress 2008

Welcome to the inaugural Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress 2008.

A global event dedicated to the complete supply chain of the medical travel industry.

Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress 2008 is a groundbreaking platform bringing together macro level decision makers on healthcare policy with payees of medical travel, specialized medical suppliers, travel providers, medical facilities and representatives from major medical tourism destinations all under one roof making this exhibition and congress truly representative of the total international medical travel industry.

Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress 2008, under the guiding theme of “the Globalisation of Healthcare”, brings together the entire cluster involved in medical travel at one specific event that is dedicated to the development of this growing sector.

This event establishes a platform for Medical Travel professionals to interact on a variety of business platforms:

• Exclusive networking opportunities made possible through innovative corporate match making
• A world-class conference streaming across multiple sectors
• Global exhibition, showcasing all segments of this exciting industry
• Internationally accredited CME endorsed through the AACME

This ground breaking platform focuses on all aspects related to the global healthcare travel market. Healthcare Travel Congress 2008 brings you exclusive and high level conferences ensuring the world’s leading decision makers discuss relevant issues to target audiences involved in medical travel.

Themes to be explored at Healthcare Travel Congress 2008:

• International standards and accreditation
• Building strategic partnerships
• Perspectives from international providers and regional initiatives
• Business and investment opportunities
     – Business opportunities in Healthcare Travel
     – Factors to consider when preparing your business for international patients
• Financing of medical travel & medical insurance
• Gaining competitive edge through marketing and promotion
     – How to attract the global consumer
     – Build brand recognition and loyalty
• Risk management an legal issues related to medical travel
     – Legal aspects and medical liability of medical travel
     – International standards for patient safety and quality control
• Best practices worldwide
     – Dental tourism
     – Hospitals
     – Travel Agents for medical travel
     – Ministries of health
     – Ministries of Tourism
     – International health insurance companies
• Overview sessions and panel discussions
     – Latest trends in healthcare travel
     – Issues and challenges facing medical travel
     – Understanding the key drivers for medical tourism

Take advantage of this exciting event to gain knowledge about best practices, share insights with key players, attend presentations from industry experts and interact direct with colleagues from around the globe.

To learn more about the conference please click here…

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress : 09 September 2008

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress Highlights

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will pre-arrange meetings and connect you with top international hospitals, medical tourism companies and other professionals, Self Fnded Health Plans and Insurance Companies and assist in the development of new relationships and valuable new contracts.

• Over 40 Exhibitors and up to 1,000 attendees
• Over 50 U.S. Healthcare and Insurance Companies Interested in Outsourcing Surgeries Overseas.
• Guaranteed Networking Sessions and Meetings with Top International Hospitals, Medical Tourism Companies, US Insurance and Healthcare Companies
• Industry Players from over 30 Countries
• 500 “Buyers” invited from the United States, Canada, European Union and other countries looking at sending patients overseas
• Special Networking Sessions and one on one pre-arranged meetings

Click Here to request additional information about Medical Tourism Annual Congress in San Francisco, USA

 

This event has one sole purpose, to put Insurance Companies, Self Funded Employers, Health Insurance Agents and Healthcare Companies in one place together with International Hospitals, Medical Tourism Companies and Medical Tourism Experts for the ultimate educational learning and networking event. This event is meant for US Employers and companies to create new relationships and new contracts in the area of Medical Tourism, as well as to learn how to properly implement Medical Tourism into a US health plan with success. The Medical Tourism Association will pre-arrange meetings and connect international hospitals with executives from top US healthcare companies to assist in the development of new relationships and valuable new contracts. We will also help International Hospitals in attracting patients from the Middle East and Asia. 

This is the one event per year where US health Insurers, TPA’s, Self Funded Employers and Health Insurance Agents have the opportunity to meet the top executives from the leading international hospitals. It’s time for the US Marketplace to seriously step outside the box and look at Medical Tourism as a real solution to the rising costs of healthcare.

Medical Tourism is the Ultimate Consumer Driven Benefit Tool!

Read complete story on Medical Tourism Congress in San Francisco, USA at PlacidWay.com

 

 

 

 

Asian Healthcare 2008 – Medical Tourism in Asia

Medical Tourism in Asia
“Creating a Successful Branding for Your Hospitals”

What’s called medical tourism-patients going to a different country for either urgent or elective medical procedure-is fast becoming a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry.

Medical tourism in Asia is growing rapidly, far outstripping the 4 to 6 per cent growth in general travel bookings predicted for 2007, with the number of medical tourist visits to many countries swelling by 20 to 30 per cent a year. The industry in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and India, currently worth around half a billion dollars a year in Asia, is projected to generate more than USD4.4 billion by 2012. Many hospitals and medical institutions that cater to the tourist market in Asia are amongst the best in the world.

Alongside with the growing number of surgery options from hospitals, many travel agencies have developed specialized packages, including a broad choice of rehabilitation and leisure activities, which can be integrated with the healthcare options. Hospitals and travel partners are actively working together to offer customized medical packages to travelers and their families.

Branding is about having a unique name that identifies a product; it’s also about creating a sense of trust. Hospitals have now started to use this mantra. Hospitals can definitely incorporate branding to improve their business prospects. Not only does it ensure a constant stream of patients, branding also opens windows of opportunity for business alliances. An example in this is the innumerable local hospital groups in India that have formed associations with Apollo Hospitals for its brand name.

• Branding also helps in getting a higher cost for shares during book building.
• Branding enhances employee satisfaction and thus results in low attrition rates. For medical professionals a branded hospital becomes the first choice to work in and be associated with.
• Branding is an experience and it is more than just providing the best-in-class technologies and treatments.
• Branding aims to convert each patient treated into a brand ambassador for the hospital.

An example of a successful brand is that of Mayo Clinic Hospital in Scottsdale Arizona, United States. Built in 1998 it is designed as a “healing environment”. For the Mayo brothers, the best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered. A soothing environment is provided through soft music. The corridors are extremely quiet and serene and a nurse station is less than 20 steps from any room. One will hear no announcements and visitors are never asked to leave. Also, the quality and quantity of time nurses spend with patients is predecided.

Read complete article at PlacidWay.com…

Understanding JCI Credentials

What is JCI?
JCI stands for Joint Commission International. The organization is an accrediting organization, which is a process of assessing a medical facility to make sure it meets basic standards and requirements involved in providing quality of care.

Throughout the United States and the world, undergoing the accreditation process is voluntary and provides a means of gauging the commitment of any healthcare facility or a provider to ensure a safe environment as well as reduce risks to both patients and staff members. The most commonly used evaluation and management method around the world, JCI credentials are an important measure of the credibility and quality of a multitude of medical facilities.

What is JCI’s Function and Mission?
The Joint Commission International supports quality care among healthcare organizations around the globe and works with the World Health Organization, and with national accreditation programs and agencies, in a multitude of countries.  JCI standards as well as evaluation methods are created by health professionals in a multitude of health sectors, and can be tested in all world regions. The standards of the Joint Commission International apply to health care organizations and systems and are designed to support and sustain improvement in patient care and safety.

The JCI governing body includes experts from around the world and bases its decision on an international committee of health care experts as well as standard revisions offered by advisory councils from different regions.

The goals of the Joint Commission International are to reduce risks, adverse effects, and consistently improve healthcare methods and procedures. The JCI works with hospitals, health providers, medical consultants, government agencies, and patients to provide standards, rules, and processes for medical facilities.

Read complete article at PlacidWay.com