| Medical Tourism is the act
of traveling from one’s own country to another country to seek medical
services. And while there may be a “tourist” aspect to the trip usually
during the recovery phase of treatment, I prefer the terms medical or health
travelers. Whatever terms are used, it is a concept that is dramatically
growing AND evolving. How does a potential medical traveler
decide which country and which hospital within that country to seek services
from? How does a hospital willing and able to provide services to
international travelers differentiate itself from others offering the same
services? Hospital accreditation is an obvious solution for both
questions.
There are a number of accrediting
bodies, most specific to their own country or their region, e.g., Europe.
There are two generally accepted international accrediting bodies.
One is ISO which seems more applicable to the industrial setting, though
it can be used in a healthcare setting. The other is Joint Commission
International Accreditation. It was specifically designed with a
healthcare focus and to be applicable in any culture.
The consultants at Gooch
& Associates gained their experience with the JCI international standards
at the inception of the JCI program. Our consultants, then employed
by the Joint Commission, were among the first to apply these standards
as both consultants assisting the first hospitals to gain accreditation
and as surveyors evaluating hospitals seeking accreditation.
We can provide that expertise
to your organization. Specifically, we can support and guide your
efforts to a successful accreditation decision. And, because we were
trained by the JCI, we can provide insights as to what the JCI surveyors
will be looking for and what questions they will ask. Call or email
us to discuss how Gooch & Associates might meet your needs.
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