by Denise

Medical tourism is here to stay, but people everywhere demand high standards and quality of care, as they should. When it comes to accreditation and certification of health care experience, the Medical Tourism Association, a fairly new global healthcare service organization new to the U.S. but growing exponentially, verifies a certain number of answers when it comes to specific questions regarding such experience. For example, here is a sampling of just a few of the issues any facility will need to answer on the certification application for 2009-2010:

·         Company’s health care experience

·         Facility or applicant has a medical advisor on staff

·         Languages spoken

·         Applicant defines which services are outsourced on their website

·         Applicant able to comply with HIPAA or privacy laws of other states, provinces or countries

·         Provide evidence of quality commitment

·         Names of all hospitals or clinics where surgical procedures are performed

·         Applicant inspected all surgical facilities to where patients are sent

·         Describes acceptable standards of patient “handling” from initial contact to final follow-up

·         Ease of travel arrangements, adequate travel packages, flight assistance and guides available for patients upon arrival to medical tourism destination

·         Proof that applicant has not had complaints or suits filed against them by patients, surgeons, hospitals or by embassies

Additional information for certification involves a searchable history of certification in other organizations and associations as well as contact information. Medical tourism must provide excellent, experienced healthcare providers for global travelers. The MTA (Medical Tourism Association) is on the right track to providing such assurance.

Tags: certification, certification guidelines, health care, health care experience, healthcare providers, HIPAA, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Association, medical tourism destination, MTA
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by Denise

No matter where you’re from, you want to be able to trust your physician or surgeon. The Medical Tourism Association, an international nonprofit organization based in the United States, has created a certification process for international medical providers listing services, facilities and surgeons around the world. As the first international nonprofit association, the Medical Tourism Association has created a program to specifically certify international providers to identify and establish best practices.

PlacidWay, a medical tourism resource and information portal-based in Denver, Colorado encourages established and potential clients to always check the credentialing, training, and accreditation of physicians and facilities in international and foreign destinations throughout Asia, South America, South Africa and Europe.

The medical tourism certification program requires that potential applicants pass certain qualifications before acceptance into the Medical Tourism Association and prior to receiving certification. Medical tourism is a growing industry and the MTA takes its job of researching and accrediting facilities very seriously. Before certification applicants must answer hundreds of questions including but not limited to:

·         How many patients are seen on a monthly basis

·         How many years applicants have been in business

·         Does the applicant along to any medical society or association

·         Verification of organization located in services

·         Applicant is compliant with HIPAA or specific country privacy laws

·         Applicant is verified facility providers are accredited and certified in country of origin

The Medical Tourism Association promotes and encourages transparency in the medical tourism industry. Adequate and experienced medical care is expected from everyone, regardless of origin. Medical tourism is growing in popularity. Make sure your doctor, surgeon or procedure is safe, trained, experienced and effective in best practices and standards.

Tags: accrediation of physicians, accreditation, asia, certification, credentialing, europe, HIPAA, international medical providers, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Association, medical tourism certification program, medical tourism industry, MTA, PlacidWay, south africa, south america, training, transparency in the medical tourism indistry
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by Denise

State-of-the-art facilities, high standards in training and expertise, as well as Board certification from United States providers sets many at ease.  Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism surgical procedures include Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore and India and location in Europe such as Croatia, Ukraine and Poland.

Medical technology as well as quality and standards of care in most countries around the world are on a level with those expected and demanded within the United States. The International Division of the Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals and facilities within the United States, also accredits facilities internationally. Many physicians who practice in European and Asian hospitals and medical centers have been trained and board-certified within the United States.

Mexico is a popular destination for dental care or plastic and cosmetic surgery. Benefit from expert and affordable medical treatments throughout Mexico. Many United States-based hospital corporations own medical hospitals not only in Mexico City, but along the United States border and in South American destinations such as Brazil and Costa Rica and Argentina.

A cardiac surgical procedure such as heart valve replacement or bypass can cost over $200,000. It is not difficult to wonder why a cardiac patient would be interested in traveling to facilities like Acibadem Healthcare Group in Turkey or the Jordan Hospital in Amman, Jordan, both JCI accredited heart care facilities that offer quality and expert care at prices that won’t leave you bankrupt for the rest of your life.

Tags: Acibadem Healthcare Group, affordable medical treatments, amman, Argentina, Brazil, bypass, cardiac patient, cardiac surgical procedure, costa rica, croatia, dental care, europe, heart care facilities, heart valve replacement, India, International Division of the Joint Commission accredits hospitals, JCI, JCI accredited heart care facilities, jordan hospital, medical technology, Medical Tourism, Mexico, Mexico City, plastic and cosmetic surgery, poland, Singapore, South American destinations, South Korea, surgical procedures, thailand, turkey, Ukraine
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by Denise

Medical tourism, also known as the health and wellness industry, is receiving more interest these days, not only from Americans dealing with a faltering economy, but from individuals around the world seeking affordable and quality healthcare. Whether those individuals are from Nigeria, the Middle East, Turkey, Australia or the United States, quality medical care and accessible healthcare facilities are on everyone’s minds.

The Medical Tourism Association, a nonprofit organization, is among the first in the medical tourism industry to promote standards and guidelines for quality of care around the world. The Medical Tourism Association (MTA) offers consumers from around the world the opportunity to become accredited and certified members of the Association, but in order to do so they must be evaluated and certified as providers of excellent quality healthcare. The certification process defined by the Medical Tourism Association is a thorough, extensively detailed and stringent process that takes between 3 to 4 months for a facility to complete. Quality of care is essential to the medical tourism industry, and offers consumers the peace of mind that comes with knowing a facility is well staffed, educated, expertly trained and experienced in a number of procedures, including but not limited to obesity weight loss procedures, cardiac care, cancer treatments, orthopedic surgeries in orthopedic procedures and more.

Facilities certified and having completed accreditation guidelines by the Medical Tourism Association reduce potential of risks and errors, establish and promote patient rights, adhere to religious or cultural requirements for international travelers, set facilities and physicians apart from competitors and promote interaction with domestic and international insurance companies, to name a few.

The future of healthcare is in medical tourism, and the Medical Tourism Association is making sure that consumers can feel comfortable and confident regarding their medical care, regardless of destination.

Tags: Australia, cancer treatments, cardiac care, health and wellness, health and wellness industry, healthcare facilities, international insurance companies, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Association, medical tourism industry, middle east, MRA, Nigeria, obesity weight loss procedures, orthopedic procedures, orthopedic surgeries, patient rights, quality healthcare, quality medical care, quality of care, quality standards for medical tourism, turkey, United States
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by Denise

Cross-border medical tourism is becoming increasingly popular. Regardless of the economy, Americans need affordable and quality health and medical care. Americans living in border states such as California, Texas, Arizona and Florida are flocking to Mexico and Latin American destinations for quality, high tech, and affordable healthcare.

Lower costs don’t mean lower quality - quite the contrary. Because foreign medical providers generally do not have the same high medical malpractice insurance costs, licensing fees, and rents on facilities, highly trained and expert surgeons, physicians, clinics and hospitals are able to offer individuals with very affordable yet high-quality medical care in such fields as orthopedics, obesity and weight loss surgical procedures, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, dental care, and vision care.

Two of the most popular destinations in Mexico treat thousands of Americans for obesity and weight loss treatments, procedures and surgeries are Mexicali Obesity Solutions,  located in Mexicali, or Sanoviv, located in Baja, both well known for providing laparoscopic obesity procedures, lap banding, gastric bypass, as well as services that provide alternative treatment and options for consumers in a wide range of medical fields and specialties.

Americans seeking affordable healthcare in Mexico also visit Almater Hospital in Mexicali for plastic and cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, orthopedic surgeries, LASIK eye surgical procedures as well as high-tech and world-renowned care in cardiology, cardiac surgery and cancer care.

Health and wellness facilities in Mexico provide Americans living in border states convenient and affordable options to combat continuously rising healthcare costs in the United States. A majority of healthcare facilities, physicians, surgeons and specialists found in Mexico have been trained in the United States and are accredited and certified by national and international accrediting organizations.

Tags: accredited, affordable healthcare, Almater Hospital, alternative treatment, Arizona, California, cancer care, cardiac surgery, cardiology, cosmetic, cosmetic surgery, cross border medical tourism, dental care, fertility treatments, Florida, foreign medical providers, gastric bypass, international accrediting organizations, lap banding, laparoscopic, laparoscopic obesity procedures, LASIK, LASIK eye surgical procedures, latin america, Medical Tourism, Mexicali Obesity Solutions, Mexico, obesity, orthopedic surgeries, orthopedics, plastic surgeries, Sanoviv, Texas, vision care, weight loss surgical, weight loss surgical procedures, weight loss treatments
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by Denise

Today, accreditation by nationally recognized and renowned organizations and associations may literally mean the difference between success and failure for healthcare services and providers. Accreditation by facilities such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) as well as the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) signify that a facility, staff, or health service meets standard quality of care and services for patients.

Two excellent and renowned facilities are the Bangkok Hospital Medical Center in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Jordan Hospital, located in Amman, Jordan. The Jordan Hospital is accredited by the JCI and the ISO. This 300-bed multi-specialty state-of-the-art medical center provides a multitude of services for medical travelers, including surgery, internal medicine and specialized therapeutics, for a fraction of the cost that Americans spend on health care. The Jordan Hospital was the site of the first kidney transplant in 1972, and the first heart transplant in 1985.

The Bangkok Hospital Medical Center is also JCI accredited and has been providing world-class and award-winning healthcare since the early 1970s. A huge facility with over 650 full-time and consulting physicians, 700 nurses, and dozens of support technicians and specialists, the Bangkok Hospital, the International Hospital, the Bangkok Heart Hospital, the Cancer hospital and the Dental Center and Rehab Center offer world travelers the best in medical care and services in Southeast Asia.

These two facilities are just an example of the many fine health care facilities and practitioners available for medical tourists today. When looking for international health care, make sure they are internationally accredited, and that physicians and staff are board-certified and licensed to practice.

Tags: accreditation, accredited medical tourism, amman, Bangkock Hospital Medical Center, bangkok, International Society for Quality in Health Care, ISO, ISQua, JCI, Joint Commission International, jordan, jordan hospital, Medical Tourism, quality of care, thailand
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by Denise

Many developing countries have come to realize the enormous advantage when it comes to medical tourism accreditation. Accreditation by various global organizations ensures that healthcare providers in a multitude of scenarios are providing high quality, educated, and experienced care that utilizes modern technology as well as techniques and methods to provide services for natives as well as medical travelers who come to seek such services.

International accreditation standards are focused on patient care, as well as continuity of care, referrals, discharge protocols and procedures, follow-ups, and transfer of patients to other facilities or specialists. The accreditation process ensures that medical providers as well as hospital and medical facilities are able to identify and determine medical needs of patients before they are admitted.

Since more medical tourists are heading to international destinations for cost-effective medical care, accredited hospitals and medical tourism businesses and centers will benefit when such facilities are able to display and prove such accreditation.

Five-star hospitals as well as those accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or the Joint Commission International (JCI) receive higher ratings, income, and interest from medical travelers. Accreditation standards are developed by international task force and form the basic building blocks for regional as well as country models as a benchmark for quality of patient care and safety in that region.

Either the Joint Commission International (JCI) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) should accredit reputable medical institutions, no matter where they are located.

Tags: accredited hospitals, accreidtation standards, addreditation, international accreditation standards, International Organization for Standardization, ISO, JCAHO, JCI, Joint Commission International, joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations
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by Denise

JCI stands for Joint Commission International, an accrediting organization. Accreditation (in the healthcare field) is a process of assessing a medical facility to make sure it meets basic standards and requirements for providing quality of care.

Undergoing the accreditation process is voluntary and provides a means of gauging the commitment of any healthcare facility or a provider to ensure a safe environment as well as reduce risks to both patients and staff members. The most commonly used evaluation and management method around the world, JCI credentials are an important measure of the credibility and quality of a multitude of medical facilities.

What is JCI’s Function and Mission?

The Joint Commission International supports quality care among healthcare organizations around the globe and works with the World Health Organization, and with national accreditation programs and agencies. JCI standards and evaluation methods are created by health professionals in global health sectors, and can be tested in all world regions. The standards of the Joint Commission International apply to health care organizations and systems and are designed to support and sustain improvement in patient care and safety.

The goals of the Joint Commission International are to reduce risks, adverse effects, and consistently improve healthcare methods and procedures. The JCI works with hospitals, health providers, medical consultants, government agencies, and patients to provide standards, rules, and processes for medical facilities.

In order to be competitive and to reassure medical travelers that medical standards are up to date and training and expertise are followed through, foreign medical facilities in medical tourism destinations like India, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil and Croatia, Hungary, Jordan and Ukraine are accredited by recognized accreditation organizations from the U.S. and abroad.

Tags: accreditation, accreditation process, accrediting organization, Brazil, croatia, health care organizations, hungary, India, JCI, JCI credentials, Joint Commission International, jordan, Medical Tourism Accreditations, medical travelers, Mexico, quality of care, Singapore, thailand, U.S., Ukraine, World Health Organization
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by Denise

One of the most well-known accreditation agencies in the world are the Joint Commission, the Joint Commission International and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, (JC and JCAHO), the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC), and the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA).

Global healthcare in destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, India, South America, Egypt, Jordan, Hungary, Turkey and Croatia also see the need to show high standards and quality of medical care, and have taken steps to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as well as the Society for International Healthcare Accreditation (SOFIHA) based out of Britain.

The Joint Commission and others designed like it evaluate medical facilities based on a standard of requirements that must be met in order to ‘pass’ inspection.

Accreditation guidelines ensure an external review and evaluation of quality as well as management practices in a wide range of medical fields and scenarios. The focus is on patient care, from the moment they access care to when they are discharged from a hospital or medical facility.

Individuals wishing to find information about a specific facility may find resources at the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is considered the “umbrella” organization for international healthcare accreditation issues. Representing about 70 countries to date, ISQua is dedicated to improving safety and quality of care in facilities throughout the world.

Other International Accreditation facilities include:

· The United Kingdom Accreditation Forum (UKAF)

· Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI)

· Canadian Council on Health Services Regulation (CCHSA)

· Joint Commission International (JCI)

· Trent Accreditation Scheme – aka Trent (U.K., Europe, Hong Kong, Malta, Philippines)

Tags: accreditation, accreditation organizations, croatia, global healthcare, hungary, India, International Society for Quality in Health Care, ISQua, JCI, Joint Commission, Joint Commission International, jordan, Medical Tourism, medical tourism accreditation, Singapore, Society for International Healthcare Accreditation, SOFIHA, south america, thailand, turkey
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by Denise

Accreditation: Why is it Important to You?

Accreditation is considered a standard through which a healthcare facility or service is shown to offer quality and healthcare that meet minimum standards and guidelines offered by various domestic and international quality boards.

For example, individuals want, and deserve, quality in healthcare, whether for dental, cosmetic, bariatric or other treatments and surgical procedures. Anyone entering a healthcare facility deserves to know that staff is trained, facilities are clean and that procedures follow standards that reduce chances of error, infection or negligence.

Healthcare and hospital accreditation in the U.S. is standard practice, but such is not the case for many international healthcare providers. Due to the growing popularity of healthcare tourism, however, international facilities are increasingly desirous of being rated (or graded) by U.S. and International accreditation organizations in order to offer competitive procedures in the fields of bariatric surgery and care, dental and cosmetic and plastic surgeries, as well as fertility treatment treatments and procedures.

Medical Traveler Basics

Individual medical travelers must take the time to assess standards of care in foreign destinations. Medical care environments in foreign destinations are certainly different than what most Americans find in their own hospital settings. However, it might help to assess care by taking into consideration the following factors:

· Quality, education and certification of facility medical staff

· Evidence of continuing educational opportunities for medical staff

· Track record of the clinic or hospital

· Infection control record of clinic or hospital

· Potential geographical risks of tropical disease/infections

Always take the time to research your destination – at home and abroad.

Tags: accreditation, bariatric, cosmetic, dental, foreign destinations, healthcare, hospital accreditation, international healthcare, international quality, medical care abroad, medical centers abroad, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations, medical travel, standards, surgery abroad
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