GH was honoured to be one of the 3 Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals participating in the 1st JCI Summer Practicum held in Singapore from June 26 to 30 2006.

This premiere conference, previously conducted annually in Chicago, was for health care professionals preparing for JCI accreditation or who were interested in improving quality and safety in their organisations.

The JCI has accredited many healthcare organisations worldwide and is dedicated to improving the safety and quality of healthcare. CGH was the first SingHealth hospital to be JCI accredited on 11 June 2005.

During the practicum, the 82 participants learned from global experts, networked and shared experiences. Prof Fock Kwong Ming, CGH's Chairman of Medical Board, was invited to share CGH’s accreditation experience with delegates from Africa, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore.

As part of the practicum, 25 local and international delegates also spent time observing an accreditation survey simulation conducted by expert JCI consultants on 28 and 29 June 2006. Led by 3 JCIA consultants from the United States: Dr Thomas W Kozlowski, Dr Tracy Gordy and Ms Ginger Whitlock, the delegates visited CGH's wards, ICU, operating theatres, specialist clinics, laboratory and pharmacy.

Dr Narayan One of the practicum participants who visited CGH, Dr Narayan H K V, Medical Superintendent from 570-bed Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India, said, I am pleased to be in Singapore. It is fourth visit to Singapore but first visit to a Singapore hospital. The main objective is to get an insight into the JCI accreditation process which will provide impetus and necessary fillip to our own accreditation process. Bangkok Phuket Hospital, a 200-bed tertiary hospital and the biggest private hospital in southern Thailand will be seeking JCI accreditation in end 2006.

Dr Sompoch Dr Sompoch Nipakanont, its Assistant Hospital Director and Medical Director, said, I am impressed with the process of communication and coordination from hospital management to front line staff and the doctors. The doctors here are part of the quality process which is very difficult to attain. Even for the housekeepers, I saw them washing their hands using the 7-step handwashing technique, said Dr Nipakanont. Dr Thomas W Kozlowski, Consultant, Joint Commission Resources, Inc. had previously visited CGH in September 2004 to help us on our journey towards JCI accreditation. He was extremely pleased with the progress that CGH had made since then. I was here two years ago. At that time you were just starting your JCI journey. Today, I’m proud of the progress you have made. You have brought the stars closer to the earth.

CGH hosted 25 local and international delegates for an accreditation survey simulation conducted by JCI consultants on 28 and 29 June 2006.