Last week Hillel Yaffe Medical Center underwent a mock survey, one of the most important the hospital has undergone in recent years. The mock survey is designed to assess the medical center's level of readiness for receipt of the international hospital quality accreditation granted by Joint Commission International (JCI). Hillel Yaffe passed the mock survey and is now waiting for the final survey, which will take place in 2017 and determine whether it becomes officially accredited.
The process of receiving the quality mark, or as it is known in professional jargon - accreditation, is an external-objective survey that evaluates quality of care and patient safety, with the goal of encouraging improvement in both these areas. As previously stated, this is a global process, at the end of which the hospital is recognized as working according to a defined international quality standard designed specifically for hospitals and medical organizations. Over 600 hospitals worldwide have gone through this process.
Hillel Yaffe staff and the surveyors after the mock survey, part of the process of becoming accredited.
What is the process like?
"Accreditation is a lengthy and complex process," said Dr. Dudkiewicz, Director General of Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. "I am very proud of our entire staff, in all fields, for coming together enthusiastically, thanks to their sense of organizational belonging and a strong desire to drive the medical center forward."
The process began back in December 2013 through an preliminary survey that mapped the status of the hospital. It included visits to the departments and institutes as well as discussion with the staff about a variety of issues. At the end of the process, the findings were presented to the senior hospital staff. After preliminary mapping was completed, the hospital established committees to handle the various matters for accreditation. The committees are made up of staff members - physicians, nurses, paramedical professionals and members of the administration and housekeeping team, and they review patient-centered issues such as: access to care and continuity of care, patient and family rights, care of patients, medication management and use, anesthesia and surgical care, patient and family education, patient safety, prevention and control of infections, governance, leadership and direction, facility management and safety, staff qualifications and education, management of information and contractual engagements, and more.
Now everyone at Hillel Yaffe is waiting for the actual survey, which will determine whether the hospital gets accredited. Dr. Dudkiewicz said, "Our staff invested a great deal of effort in the run up to the mock survey and will continue to do so. This was absolutely clear in the results of the mock survey and the positive impression we made on the JCI surveyors. However, the real test is still ahead of us and, moreover, we are working to create an organizational culture of quality and excellence, so we're definitely not resting on our laurels. I am positive that if we continue to demonstrate the same level of seriousness that we have until now, we will be on the right track for the final survey and will also be successful - for the benefit of the organization and clearly - for the benefit of our patients, as the entire process is for them."
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