Medical Tourism Facilities Accreditation Standards

When considering which foreign hospital to use, safe and high quality care is one of the primary concerns. With the growth in the number of medical tourism facilities such as hospitals, clinics and medical spas how does one decide whether they are safe and their medical staff well qualified.

Some of these businesses are using techniques ranging from sophisticated enterprise seo (search engine optimization) to show up for Google searches, to internet and traditional advertising.  Patients, bombarded by promotional messages, are often forced to make important health care decisions based on information that may be likely to part of an ad or marketing campaign.  Very little objective review information is available on most overseas services.

To alleviate some of these concerns, international medical tourism facilities  are requesting external certification by respected organizations who are known for effectively evaluating  quality and safety issues.

As you conduct your research into potential medical tourism facilities look for those hospitals that offer:

- Certification from the most recognizable accreditation organizations
- Have Western trained physicians and care teams
- Have affiliations with reputable, top-tier U.S. medical provider organizations, facilities, and or teaching hospitals
- Medical technologies that rival the top Western hospitals
- State of the art clinical information technologies

Medical tourism facilities accreditation is not only about improving how care is delivered to a patient, but also the quality of the care the patient receives. When Medical tourism facilities, hospital or clinic, receive the stamp of approval by a recognized independent third party accreditation organization, you will know that those medical tourism facilities have passed certain standards in regards to its medical ethics, safety, and the performance of their medical personnel.

Below are some of the most recognized accreditation organizations.

JCI Accreditation

 

The Joint Commission International (JCI) is the global arm of the US-based Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). JCAHO certifies over 18,000 hospitals in the United States. while all JCI hospitals are international hospitals that are located outside of the United States.

 

JCI approval is not the only accreditation available for international  medical tourism facilities, but it is the most widely accepted industry benchmark.  International medical tourism facilities that are JCI accredited proudly post the JCI seal on the websites.

 

ISO Certification

 

ISO is not specifically a health care accrediting body. However, ISO and its member organizations do help ensure that medical tourism facilities such as hospitals and dental clinics closely adhere to strict international standards. There are several ISO certifications that medical tourism facilities post on their websites.

 

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)

 

The approval of ISQua authenticates that NABH standards are in consonance with the global benchmarks set by ISQua. The medical tourism facilities accredited by NABH will have international recognition.

 

ISQua

 

ISQua itself does not offer international accreditation or evaluation services to individual medical tourism facilities or to health care professionals. However, many of the independent accreditation organizations are themselves accredited by ISQua.

 

Trent Accreditation Scheme (TAS)

 

The Trent Accreditation Scheme is the only whole hospital accreditation scheme based with the UK National Health Services (NHS.) All TAS surveyors work within the NHS system and/or private hospitals mainly as clinical staff or managers.

 

ACHSI Certification

 

ISQua International Accreditation has accredited the ACHS, including its subsidiary ACHSI. The ACHS accredits the majority of health care organizations in Australia.

 

Accreditation Canada

 

Accreditation Canada's helps organizations not only across Canada, but also internationally to examine and improve the quality of service they provide to their patients and client. There are over a dozen countries including, Italy, France, and Ireland who use Accreditation Canada criteria in assessing their medical facilities/ medical tourism facilities.

 

American Medical Associationr

The AMA recognizes the fact that many Americans are traveling abroad for a variety of medical procedures, AMA advocates that employers, insurance companies, and other entities offer incentives for or facilitate medical care outside the U.S. adhere to certain principles.

 

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)

 

A CARF-accredited facility means the provider has passed an in-depth review of its services. It is your assurance that the medical tourism facilities /providers meet rigorous CARF guidelines for service and quality.

 

The Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH)

 

he Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) is an independent, not for profit organization. MSQH works with participation from other healthcare professionals to ensure safety and continuous quality improvement in health in the services provided by healthcare / medical tourism facilities and services in Malaysia.

 

Quality Council of India (QCI)

 

QCI has established National Accreditation Boards suitable for India and in accordance with the relevant international standards and guidelines.

 

Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC)

 

SAC operates in accordance with relevant international standards and requirements in Singapore. SAC's primary function is to accredit conformity assessment services such as testing, calibration, inspection and certification.

 

ISAPS (Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)

 

To qualify for membership in ISAPS, plastic surgeons undergo years of surgical specialty training, pass qualifying and certifying examinations in their respective countries (board certification). They also must be members in good standing in their national societies of plastic and aesthetic surgery.

 

AABB Accreditation

 

AABB's Accreditation Program aims to improve the quality and safety of processing, collecting, distributing, testing, and administering blood and blood products. AABB's accreditation program evaluates the quality and operational systems in place within medical tourism facilities.