Gold Seal of Approval: Why it is important to you

As a patient, when you choose a JCI accredited hospital, you can rest assured that you are in a perfectly protected environment, where clear and efficient policies and quality standards are in place. As a result, you receive high quality level healthcare services.

We implement a comprehensive quality & patient safety program that covers all our clinical and administrative activities, including laboratory services, diagnostic imaging services, occupational health and safety and environmental management systems.

We operate based on documented, uniform and approved policies and international standards. We meet over 1,000 measurable elements, which cover the entire range of patient-oriented hospital functions, such as access to care, assessment of patients, anesthesia and surgical care and patient and family education and rights. They also encompass all supportive operations, such as laboratory and diagnostic imaging services, prevention and control of infections, medication management and use, facility management and safety, patient medical record, staff qualifications and education, and governance and leadership management practices.

Quality in healthcare is the path to provide the right care to the right patient by the right person at the right time. Patient safety is an integral part of quality. Our primary goal, as a leader in healthcare services in Greece, is to provide high quality services and safety to our patients and their families.

What does healthcare accreditation means?

Healthcare Accreditation is the process whereby an independent body evaluates an organization, to objectively determine whether it meets specific and measurable requirements for quality of care and patient safety.

What does the JCI accreditation mean?

JCI is an international accreditation standard for healthcare services. Preparations for this accreditation usually last around 2 years. It is an intensive process that requires commitment and dedication from all employees. Once the preparation has been completed, a team of JCI expert surveyors (physicians, nurses, and health care administrators) with international experience visit the hospital, to evaluate more than 1,000 measurable elements.

The surveyors touches every activity of the organization and provides an overall assessment for the efficiency of the hospital quality improvement and patient safety program and its daily implementation.

The JCI accreditation is valid for 3 years. If a hospital wishes pursue reaccreditation at the end of that period, it must go through the on-site survey process again. Every three years, when we must renew this accreditation, we are faced with the challenge of complying with new, even stricter requirements, as the standard matures and sets the bar even higher.

What is the Gold Seal of Approval?

The hospitals that earn and maintain the JCI accreditation receive the Gold Seal of Approval®. Since 2010, HYGEIA Hospital is a member of a small elite circle of hospitals in the world and the first hospital in Greece having earned the Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI). This accreditation is considered the gold standard in global health care which is a testament to our high quality healthcare to our patients and their families, and the confidence and trust we inspire. It further demonstrates our continuous compliance to this internationally recognized standard and our commitment to provide safe and effective patient care.

What is the Joint Commission International?

Joint Commission International (JCI) was established in 1997 as a division of Joint Commission Resources, Inc. (JCR), a wholly controlled, not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission. Through international accreditation, consultation, publications and education programs, JCI extends The Joint Commission’s mission worldwide by helping to improve the quality of patient care. JCI assists international health care organizations, public health agencies, health ministries and others in more than 100 countries.

International Patient Safety Goals

JCI has selected a number of issues internationally considered serious in healthcare service provision, known as the International Patient Safety Goals. Accredited hospitals around the world must be proactive and apply internationally recognized practices to address these problems.

For further information about the International Patient Safety Goals please visit our website www.hygeia.gr in the “Quality and Safety” category.