JCI Gold standard and Enterpise Accreditation
Donations made to Imran Khan Cancer Appeal during Ramadan provide the highest standard of care for patients at Shaukat Khanum Hospitals throughout the year, regardless of their financial status.
Shaukat Khanum Hospitals are the second institution globally and the first in Pakistan to receive system-wide JCI Enterprise Accreditation.
As we celebrate 30 years of service with you, our valued donors, let’s explore this remarkable achievement and what it means for your contributions.
What is the JCI Enterprise Accreditation?
The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a US organisation based in Chicago. It sets rigorous standards for healthcare facilities all over the world, ensuring they meet the same high standards of care as those in the US.
Shaukat Khanum Hospitals was awarded the JCI Gold Seal of Approval in 2018, 2021 and again in 2022, and has now gone even further by securing the highest distinction available - JCI Enterprise Accreditation.
Achieving the Enterprise Accreditation took extraordinary effort. The process involved an evaluation of administrative, clinical, and operational domains across the hospital’s network. In total, 777 standards were assessed using 3,200 measures over the course of four audits.
Surveyors from the US evaluated the hospital’s facilities in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi, along with its network of Diagnostic Centres, Laboratory Collection Centres, and Outreach Screening Clinics across the country.
They concluded that all activities - from patient care and procurement to waste disposal and safety - adhered to the same high standards and strict protocols.
This remarkable achievement shows that your donations are being put to good use, providing the highest quality of care by international standards.
A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING
In 2004, the hospital begins taking steps towards JCI Accreditation. This involves a thorough process of change, including restructuring policies and procedures and providing intensive staff training.
In 2007, 2008 and 2011, staff undergo mock audits led by a team of professionals from Aga Khan University.
In October 2011, an application is made to the JCI head office in Chicago. Unfortunately, surveyors are unable to travel to Pakistan due to advice from the US government.
In 2017, travel restrictions ease and a second application is made. A survey date is set for April 2018, but staff are advised that a new set of standards has been issued and the hospital will be the first institution in Pakistan to be tested against the new, more exacting measures.
Following guidance from a recently accredited team at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, more staff enrol in teaching, training, and testing activities. Many dedicate extra evenings and weekends to ensure the new standards are fully met.
In April 2018, the hospital undergoes a rigorous on-site audit by a team of expert surveyors from the JCI. They evaluate the following areas:
- International Patient Safety Goals
- Patient Assessment and Care
- Medication Management and Usage
- Patient and Family Education
- Quality Improvement
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Governance and Leadership
- Facility Management
- Staff Qualifications
- Evaluation and Information Management
A few weeks later, the results are announced in Chicago, and the hospital is awarded the JCI Gold Seal of Approval.
Today, the hospital remains committed to excellence, with the Pathology Laboratory in Lahore achieving accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) in 2024.
This year, as Shaukat Khanum Hospitals celebrate 30 years of service, our founder is unable to make an appeal to mark this significant milestone. In his absence, we hope you will continue to support our patients and move us a step closer to opening a new hospital in Karachi.