Understanding the Importance of International Accreditation Bodies and Their Role in Ensuring Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety

21 April,2025

In the contemporary era, the world has become an interconnected global community, necessitating that both patients and healthcare providers have confidence in the ability of healthcare systems. The core ability is to adhere to stringent quality and safety standards. International accreditation bodies, such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA), among others, play a pivotal role in maintaining these benchmarks through international accreditation initiatives. 

Looking at the numbers tells a compelling story. One study that analysed 27 quality performance indicators revealed something interesting: 74% of these measures improved significantly during JCI accreditation preparation. That's no small achievement.

This article helps patients as well as healthcare providers delve into the significance of these organisations and the impact on healthcare excellence. But first, we need to know what sort of responsibilities these accreditations entail and how they help maintain the standard of patient care. 

Understanding Some Noteworthy Accreditation Bodies

A few prominent international organisations that set the gold standard for healthcare quality and patient safety worldwide are as follows:

Joint Commission International (JCI)

Established as the international arm of The Joint Commission, it is a US-based nonprofit organisation that accredits healthcare organisations worldwide. JCI sets global benchmarks for patient safety and quality care. The accreditation is recognised as a symbol of excellence in the healthcare industry.

The organisation has accredited over Joint Commission International. Its primary goal is to improve safety and healthcare quality worldwide. 

Core Mission and Standards

JCI's mission is to uphold and affirm the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety. It achieves this by developing comprehensive standards that are:

• Evidence-Based: The standards are grounded in the latest research and best practices.
• Patient-centred: Focused on delivering care that respects and responds to individual patient preferences, needs, and values.
• Globally Applicable: The organisation's designs can be adapted across various cultural and regulatory environments.

These standards cover a wide range of areas, including patient care, medication safety, infection control, and facility management. 

The graph above shows the Impact of JCI Accreditation on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). It visually compares key metrics before and after accreditation, demonstrating how JCI can significantly improve outcomes, such as reducing errors and increasing satisfaction. 

International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua)

Founded in 1985, ISQua operates as an independent nonprofit organisation that promotes quality improvement in healthcare worldwide. They've earned the nickname "accreditor of accreditors" because they are the ones evaluating and giving their stamp of approval to other healthcare accreditation bodies.

What They're All About

At its heart, ISQua aims to spark and fuel improvements in healthcare quality and safety worldwide. They're actively driving change through education, knowledge exchange, external evaluations, and bringing together healthcare professionals through global networks.

ISQua makes this happen through several key initiatives:

• Their International Accreditation Programme (IAP) tests health and social care standards, external evaluation organisations, and surveyor training programs before accrediting them.
• Through various education and training offerings—fellowships, conferences, and more -they're spreading best practices in healthcare quality and safety.
• Their journal and research work add to the worldwide knowledge base on improving healthcare quality.

ISQua's standards focus on evidence-based practices and care that truly centres on the person, sustainability, fairness, and integrity.

Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA)

A relative newcomer, GHA hit the scene in 2016 as an independent accrediting body with a laser focus on boosting patient experience and care excellence for medical travellers specifically. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organisations worldwide turn to GHA for accreditation and certification.

What They're All About

GHA's driving mission? Raising the bar for healthcare standards globally. They envision a world where every patient's healthcare journey stands out for its excellence and trustworthiness.

GHA's standards aim to:

• Boost Patient Experience - They look at the entire medical travel journey, from before arrival to after discharge, ensuring care flows smoothly and respects cultural differences.
• Champion Sustainable Business Practices - They push healthcare organisations to adopt approaches that deliver operational excellence and keep patients satisfied for the long haul.
• Ensure Patient-Centred Clinical Processes - Safety, transparency, and ethical practices take centre stage in clinical care for people travelling for medical treatment.

Worth noting is that ISQua's External Evaluation Association has accredited GHA's standards, which confirms they are in line with international benchmarks for accreditation bodies.

Both international accreditation bodies play crucial roles in driving healthcare quality and safety globally. Their accreditation programs help healthcare providers implement best practices, build patient trust, and deliver top-notch service.

The Role of Accreditation in Healthcare Quality

Healthcare accreditation serves as a framework for healthcare organisations to evaluate and improve their services. Here's how these organisations contribute to healthcare quality:

1. Enhancing Patient Safety

Patient safety is a core component of the standards of accreditation bodies. They require healthcare organisations to implement protocols. This accreditation and the standards minimise risks and prevent errors, thereby safeguarding patient well-being.

2. Standardising Clinical Practices

JCI accreditation ensures that healthcare providers adhere to standardised clinical practices. The uniformity leads to consistent and reliable patient care, reducing variability in treatment outcomes.

3. Promoting Continuous Improvement

International accreditation bodies are encouraged to engage in continuous quality improvement. Regulatory bodies conduct regular assessments and audits to identify areas for improvement, fostering a culture of excellence.

4. Building Public Trust

Accreditation signals to patients and the public that a healthcare organisation is committed to maintaining high standards. The trust influences patient choices and enhances the organisation's reputation.

Benefits of Accreditation

For Healthcare Organisations

• Operational Efficiency: Accreditation processes streamline operations. It leads to better resource management and reduced errors.
• Staff Development: Regulatory bodies ensure that continuous education and training opportunities improve staff competencies and job satisfaction.
• International Recognition: It serves as a mark of quality, attracting patients and partnerships globally.
• Continuous Improvement: Regular assessments foster a culture of ongoing quality improvement.
• Market Competitiveness: Accredited hospitals often gain a competitive edge. Since they are accredited, they can attract more patients through medical tourism. 

For Patients

• Quality Assurance: Patients receive care that meets established standards for safety and quality of care. Accreditation gives patients a sense of comfort when receiving care from healthcare hospitals. 
• Informed Choices: Accreditation provides patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare providers.
• Improved Outcomes: Standardised practices lead to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The Accreditation Process

Achieving JCI accreditation is a rigorous process that spans 12 to 36 months. The steps include:

1. Self-Assessment: Organisations evaluate their current practices against JCI standards.
2. Gap Analysis: Identifying gap areas that require improvement to meet accreditation criteria.
3. Implementation: Making necessary changes to policies, procedures, and practices.
4. Education and Training: Ensuring staff are well-informed and competent in new protocols and procedures.
5. On-Site Survey: JCI surveyors comprehensively evaluate the organisation's compliance with standards.

The accreditation is valid for three years, after which organisations must undergo re-evaluation to maintain their status.

Challenges and Considerations

While accreditation offers numerous benefits, healthcare organisations may face challenges such as

Resource Intensiveness

Healthcare accreditation is a time-consuming and costly process. It demands significant financial investment in infrastructure, training, documentation, and compliance monitoring. 

Organisations must allocate or hire trained personnel who focus solely on accreditation activities, including quality managers, data analysts, and trainers. 

Change Management

Employees, including those in leadership roles, may resist changes in workflow, particularly when stricter protocols are introduced. 

Implementing these changes often requires dedicated personnel and added documentation, along with a broader cultural shift toward patient safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Documentation Overhaul

Accreditation bodies expect detailed documentation of all processes. From patient admission to discharge, many hospitals initially lack formal documentation. They need to create and restructure standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, and checklists. 

Training and Capacity Building

Staff at all levels must be trained to follow new procedures, such as infection control, medication safety, and emergency preparedness. The training should be continuous and well-documented, which can be challenging logistically. 

Technological Gaps

A lack of digital systems for health records, quality indicators, or audit trails can hinder the accreditation process. 

Investing in a hospital information system (HIS) or electronic medical records is often a necessary step. 

Why Choose MediJourney for Trustworthy Accredited Hospitals?

MediJourney stands out as the premier healthcare navigation platform by connecting patients exclusively with rigorously vetted, internationally accredited hospitals that meet the highest standards of clinical excellence. 

Unlike generic medical tourism services, MediJourney's comprehensive accreditation verification process ensures that every partnered facility has been thoroughly assessed by international accreditation bodies such as JCI, guaranteeing world-class infrastructure, qualified specialists, transparent safety protocols, and ethical practices. 

By choosing MediJourney, you can gain access to a carefully curated network of trustworthy healthcare providers where quality is never compromised.

Takeaway

International accreditation bodies, such as JCI and GHA, play a crucial role in this process. It is evident from the above information that the regulatory bodies are elevating healthcare standards. The frameworks guide organisations towards delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care. 

The healthcare landscape is building trust among patients and providers to uphold the medical and healthcare standards via accreditation. The next time you look up a hospital for you and your loved ones, don't forget to check for these standards.