Joint Commission International and
Korean Hospital Association
Establish Strategic Collaboration

(OAKBROOK, Ill., USA – May 28, 2009) Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Korean Hospital Association (KHA) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish programs that are focused on improving the quality and safety of health care services in South Korea. JCI is an affiliate of The Joint Commission.

Since 1994, JCI has worked with health care organizations, ministries of health, and global organizations in more than 80 countries. JCI focuses on improving the safety of patient care through the provision of accreditation and certification services as well as through advisory and educational services aimed at helping organizations implement practical and sustainable solutions. JCI is accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua).  

KHA and JCI will assist hospitals in Korea as they strive to achieve a level of quality recognized world-wide. Together JCI and the KHA will:
• Establish an ongoing series of educational programs for KHA member hospitals;
• Translate and publish the Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards for Hospitals, third edition, into Korean;
• Establish a help desk for KHA members to answer their questions about JCI standards, accreditation and services;
• Distribute information on JCI standards for all accreditation programs via the KHA information network;
• Develop, and promote the use of patient safety solutions for the benefit of Korean patients and health professionals; and
• Promote KHA recommendations on health care quality and safety through the South Korea representative that is a member of JCI’s Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Council.

“JCI is honored to be working with the Korean Hospital Association. We hope the work achieved here will benefit patients not only in Korea, but in other areas of the world as well,” says Karen H. Timmons, president and CEO, Joint Commission International.

“Working with JCI will help the Korean Hospital Association raise the profile of health care in South Korea, and bring international recognition to the quality of care in Korean hospitals,” says Hoon Sang Chi, M.D., president, Korean Hospital Association. “Improving the quality of health care and patient safety in South Korea is a strategic initiative of the KHA.”

At this time, one hospital in South Korea has achieved JCI accreditation. Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, received the JCI Gold Seal of Approval in May 2007. Several other organizations in Korea have demonstrated an interest in JCI accreditation. Through JCI accreditation and certification, health care organizations have access to a variety of resources and services that connect them with the international community; an international quality measurement system for benchmarking; risk reduction strategies and best practices; tactics to reduce adverse events; and the annual Executive Briefing Programs. 

More than 246 public and private health care organizations in 36 countries have been accredited by JCI. JCI provides accreditation for hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, clinical laboratories, care continuum services, medical transport organizations, and primary care services, as well as certification for disease or condition specific care.