The significance of Joint Commission International accreditation

ABSTRACT

Recently many hospitals in Korea have become interested in JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation. As the medical market opens to medical tourism and to attract foreign patients, JCI accreditation has become the prime object. It is compatible with government policy for upgrading the medical industry and necessary to strengthen compatibility with foreign hospitals. JCI accreditation means that the medical services provided by a hospital are equivalent in quality and patient safety to medical services internationally. It also means that the hospital is reliable in treating patients according to international policies and regulations. The most important meaning of JCI accreditation is that the staff in the hospital have promised to provide safe patient care according to the hospital policies and bylaws made and approved by the staff members. During the process for JCI accreditation, the hospital staff's concept regarding patient safety has been changed and many of them are now voluntarily involved in quality improvement and patient safety activities in the hospital.