by Denise

Many people don’t realize that Jordan has one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the Middle East. Most people also don’t know that the first kidney transplant was successfully performed in Jordan in the early 1970s, and the first heart transplant was performed in the mid 1980s.  As a premier medical facility in the region, Jordan Hospital and Medical Center provides a variety of services including cardiac and neurosurgery, organ transplantation, cardiothoracic surgery, bariatric surgery, and neonatal and pediatric care.

Meeting the growing needs of individuals around the world discouraged and disappointed by domestic or local healthcare choices are increasingly visiting online medical tourism portals such as PlacidWay, an International medical tourism portal based in Denver, Colorado, for healthcare options.

Facilities such as the Jordan Hospital and Medical Center around the world provide world-class, state-of-the-art, and highly trained and experienced physicians, surgeons, and medical and surgical facilities to meet a variety of needs. Like Jordan Hospital and Medical Center, many of these facilities are JCI accredited and have won international awards of excellence. Jordan Hospital and medical center is also ISO certified and is compliant to the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) and adheres to world-class accreditation standards.

Today, Americans, Britons, Canadians, Europeans, South Africans and Asians are demanding quality and affordable healthcare options. Understanding the growing need for such care, international medical tourism destinations have become a growing trend in the health and wellness industry. Millions of individuals travel throughout the world today to receive the best that medical, surgical and technological developments offer to individuals that also provide quality and affordable healthcare options.

Tags: accreditation, advanced healthcare systems, affordable healthcare, bariatric surgery, cardiac, cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, global health care, health and wellness, health and wellness industry, health care, heart transplant, international medical tourism, International Society for Quality in Healthcare, ISO, ISO certified, ISQua, JCI, JCI accredited, Jordan Hospital and Medical Center, kidney transplant, medical facility, Medical Tourism, medical tourism destinations, medical tourism portals, middle east, neonatal care, neurosurgery, organ transplant, pediatric care, PlacidWay, quality healthcare, surgical facilities
Posted in Affordable Heart Surgery, Health Tourism, Jordan Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations | No Comments »

by Denise

The popularity of medical travel, more commonly known as medical tourism is a more common topic these days than it used to be. At first, people were leery of the concept of visiting other countries for their international medical care needs. What about qualifications? What about experience? What about education in various medical procedures and techniques? Unfortunately, many individuals, mostly in the United States, don’t realize that many other countries in the world offer world class, high-tech and state of the art equipment, surgeons and physicians in most medical fields, including cancer treatment and research, orthopedics, autoimmune disease processes, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, dental care and dental surgeries and more.

PlacidWay, a medical tourism portal, offers individuals up-to-date information and resources for individuals considering medical tourism. Questions about Spine Care Abroad to anti aging abroad, dental and cosmetic surgery, orthopedics and stem cell research are front and center at PlacidWay.

Some of the most common questions and individuals considering traveling to another country for medical care would naturally be:

• How much will it cost?
• How do I get there?
• How will I navigate my way in a country where I don’t know the language?
• Will someone meet me at the airport and take me to the medical facility?
• Will translators be available?
• How much training does the surgeon or physician have in this procedure?

Of course, there’s probably 1,000 more questions than any given individual might want to ask, the taking the first step means researching the facility, checking our web sites, and if possible, contacting individuals who have undergone surgery or treatments at that facility.

Doctor and facility certification, accreditation, standards of care and quality of care should be uppermost, and patients, regardless of origin, should never be afraid to ask questions of the physician or surgeon. After all, it’s your care.  Options are at your fingertips, and it’s up to you to choose which medical facility will best meet your needs.

Tags: accreditation, autoimmune disease, autoimmune disease processes, cancer, cancer research, cancer treatment, certification, cosmetic, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, dental, dental care, dental surgeries, doctor accreditation, doctor and facility certification, facility accreditation, international medical care, medical care, medical facility, medical fields, medical procedures, Medical Tourism, medical travel, orthopedics, physicians, planning for medical travel, plastic surgeries, qualifications, quality of care, standards of care, surgeons, surgeons and physicians, traveling to another country for medical care
Posted in Cancer Treatment Abroad, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Dental Tourism Abroad, Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad | No Comments »

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
Posted in Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations | No Comments »

by Denise

Since when is the United States the only place where individuals expect high quality and expert healthcare? Whether you come from Oklahoma or Britain, the Middle East, Africa, Asia or South America, individuals seek qualification, accreditation, and certification from their healthcare providers. Everyone wants and deserves quality healthcare in all fields, including bariatric surgery procedures.

Obesity surgery abroad offers individuals from around the world, but most especially the United States (as many cosmetic and obesity surgeries are not covered by health insurance policies) the opportunity to experience highly qualified, certified and accredited facilities in Latin America for obesity and weight loss treatments and procedures.

One such facility, called Angels Abroad, located in Guatemala City is one of the most popular and well-known healthcare facilities in Latin America when it comes to gastric bypass operation options, laparoscopic bariatric surgery, bariatric band surgery, gastric bypass information. Angels Abroad, one of the most well-known gastric bypass centers in Guatemala offers one of the best gastric bypass doctors in South America.

Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez Toledo has been practicing his field since the early 1990s and has performed operations not only in Guatemala, but in the United States and France as well. Dr. Toledo’s practice is dedicated and focused on bariatric surgery and he belongs to multiple surgical societies throughout the world and has also completed multiple fellowship training programs in the United States and abroad.

When it comes to excellence and experience, medical travelers from around the globe can rely on foreign medical destinations for obesity surgery abroad with the same high expectations of quality and service that are expected, and demanded, in the United States.

Tags: accreditation, Angels Abroad, bariatric band surgery, bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery procedures, best gastric bypass doctors, certification, Dr. Rodrigo Gonzalez Toledo, gastric bypass centers, gastric bypass information, gastric bypass operation, Guatemala City, healthcare providers, laparoscopic bariatric surgery, latin america, obesity surgery, obesity surgery abroad, south america, weight loss treatments, weight loss treatments and procedures
Posted in Gastric Bypass Surgery Latin America, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, South America Medical Tourism | 1 Comment »

by Denise

This year, after a brief interruption of the World Medical Tourism in Global Health Congress in Monterrey, Mexico, canceled because of concerns regarding in the outbreak of swine flu, the second annual World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress will meet in Los Angeles, California in late October 2009.

The World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress is a gathering of individuals in the healthcare field and health and wellness tourism industry hosted by the Medical Tourism Association. The second annual conference has plenty on their agenda, including defining and addressing the needs of international patients, marketing and promotion of foreign medical destinations to domestic and international insurance companies, enhancing hospital and clinic contracts, and ensuring the implementation of medical tourism options into United States-based health insurance plans, among many others.

Focus of the 2009 World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress offers reliable and up-to-date information regarding the effectiveness and quality of healthcare in international destinations as well as the availability of such care for international consumer and ex-pat patients. Offering solutions, destinations and hospitals for consumers as well as providing guidelines regarding patient perspective, accreditation, and quality issues will be discussed at this gathering of participants in the health care and health and wellness industry from around the world, including representatives attending from Latin American destinations such as Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica and Brazil, to growing medical tourism destinations in Europe including the Ukraine, Poland, Croatia and Turkey as well as familiar healthcare providers in Asia in locations such as Singapore, Thailand and India.

Procedures and methodologies in orthopedic, cardiac, obesity and cancer treatments are offered by international providers for a fraction of the cost of the same procedures in the U.S., Great Britain and Canada.

Tags: 2009 World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress, accreditation, Argentina, asia, Brazil, cancer treatments, costa rica, croatia, europe, global health, global health congress, health and wellness, health and wellness industry, health insurance plans, healthcare, healthcare conference, India, international destinations, Latin American destinations, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Association, Mexico, obesity, orthoipedic, poland, quality of healthcare, Singapore, thailand, turkey, Ukraine, World Medical Tourism and Global health Congress
Posted in Health Tourism, Medical Tourism | No Comments »

by Denise

Egypt has been a tourist attraction for as long as civilization. Ancient Egypt was already ancient when the ancient Greeks visited there. There are pyramids, tombs, cities and shops in Egypt that are hundreds of years old. Still, ancient history, ruins and landmarks aren’t all that Egypt has to offer. Despite the fact that Cairo is thousands of years old, it’s still a fully functional, modern day city – though its ancient attractions are only a fraction of what Egypt has to offer.

Another popular aspect of travel to Egypt is its growing medical tourism. Egypt has some of the highest standards of cosmetic surgery abroad in the world, and some of the lowest prices. The advantages of medical tourism are savings on medical procedures accompanied by a great escape from everyday life.

Many medical tourists don’t immediately think of Egypt as a medical destination, but the fact is, hospitals in Egypt are among the best in the world. One of the most popular dental clinics in Egypt is called the PrimaDent Dental Center, providing excellent dental treatment in Hurghada. In addition, affordable surgery in Egypt offers visitors from all over the world the best in many fields. Doctors in Egypt are held to high standards of training and experience, and clinics in Egypt must pass accreditation processes that assure high quality patient care and techniques in multiple medical areas.

For any kind of treatment in Egypt, do your homework, look at the possibilities and you’ll see for yourself how much money you can save on medical treatments and procedures, as well as being able to visit one of the oldest countries in the world.

Tags: accreditation, affordable surgery in Egypt, clinics in Egypt, cosmetic surgery, dental treatment in Hurghada, dental vacations, dentists in egypt, dentists in hurghada, doctors in Egypt, egypt, hospitals in Egypt, Medical Tourism, medical tourism Egypt, Medical tourists, patient care, PrimaDent Dental Center
Posted in Dental Tourism Abroad, Dental Vacations Europe, Medical Tourism | No Comments »

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
Posted in Jordan Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations, Thailand Medical Tourism | No Comments »

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
Posted in Medical Tourism Accreditations | No Comments »

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
Posted in Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations | No Comments »

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
Posted in Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations | No Comments »