Understanding accreditation
A simple definition
When an individual or a service provider is 'accredited', it means they have been given official approval to act, or are an authorised representative of an independent body. Accreditation means that the service provider has been assessed against recognised standards to demonstrate their competence and performance capability.
The usual reason for getting something independently evaluated is to confirm it meets specific requirements, and thus confirm to the world that trust can be placed in them as a provider. A major benefit of accreditation for medical tourists is that they can be sure they are receiving the same standards of care as in their home country.
The following are details of some of the types of accreditations you will come across:
International accreditation
The Joint Commission International (JCI) is the widely accepted leader of international healthcare accreditation. Many hospitals find the lure of JCI's gold disc logo irresistible for marketing Medical Tourism services to foreign patients.
Since 1999, JCI has accredited over 240 organisations worldwide. It takes two to three years to satisfy their challenging list of criteria, and facilities are reassessed every four years. If JCI accreditation is the deciding factor for you, JCI's website lists details of everyone currently approved.
Three other regulators we think are worth a mention are:
The Trent Scheme: This UK scheme oversees a number of hospitals in the UK and Hong Kong.
ACHS: Australian-based ACHS International, mainly applied in the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
Accreditation Canada: Formerly CCHSA, regulates organisations in Canada and worldwide.
National and Regional accreditation
International accreditation is a big financial commitment. It may not be cost-effective for a smaller clinic to apply. Just because a hospital is not internationally accredited doesn't mean it's not safe. National and region-specific qualifications can offer important indications of quality.
About ISO certification
You will see it everywhere - ISO 9001:2000 - But what does it mean for you? ISO is an umbrella body, representing the national standards organizations of over 150 countries. ISO certification relates to the running and management of a hospital or clinic. Having ISO is a good sign, but not to be confused with medical accreditation standards.
YourSurgeryAbroad has tried hard to make sure only high standard and accredited healthcare providers are included in our extensive listing. But don't just take our word for it - make sure to always check things out for yourself!
Page last updated: Wednesday, 2nd September 2009
