According to recent studies reported by the Journal of Hospital Medicine (2011;6:454-461), JCI-accredited facilities are able to publicly report outperformance based on quality measures, and performance levels continue to increase every year thereafter, according to the report.

At the same times, scores of such hospitals and facilities continually improve over non-accredited hospitals by roughly 26%, though it’s important not to discredit non-accredited hospitals, which should not be considered substandard by any means. Accreditation by international accrediting organizations such as the JCI is strictly voluntary.

However, accreditation does promote a dedication toward improving quality and performance and has been used as a marker for excellence first in the U.S. and now abroad, for nearly a decade. (Roughly 82% of hospitals in the U.S. are currently accredited by the JCI.)

The Joint Commission evaluates medical facilities based on a standard of requirements that must be met in order to ‘pass’ inspection. Considerations inspection teams include:

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

International accreditation standards are focused on patient care, continuity of care, referrals, discharge protocols and procedures, follow-ups, and transfer of patients to other facilities or specialists. The accreditation process ensures that medical providers as well as hospital and medical facilities are able to identify and determine medical needs of patients before they are admitted.

For more information on accredited healthcare facilities and hospitals abroad, visit PlacidWay.com.