Abu Dhabi: Five hospitals in Abu Dhabi have been inspected and accredited by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in partnership with the Joint Commission International (JCI), announced HAAD.

So far, 14 hospitals across the UAE have been accredited by JCI.

JCI is a division of Joint Commission Resources (JCR), the non-profit affiliate of the Joint Commission and have been actively involved in the healthcare sector across the UAE since May 2006, with the mission of improving safety and quality of care through the provision of education, consultation services and international accreditation.

HAAD's partnership with JCI is an initiative to make sure licensure standards are applied in hospitals, ambulance care and continuum care (rehabilitation, chronic disease and end of life care).

"As the responsible authority for setting standards, inspection and licensing of health facilities in Abu Dhabi, we are working to ensure standards developed and implemented are best practiced, meeting the benchmark of international health care quality," said Zaid Al Siksek, Chief Executive Officer at HAAD.

According to Dr Philipp Vetter, Head of Strategy at HAAD, it is important for healthcare facilities to be accredited for two main reasons. First, the accreditation process can help improve patient safety. Second, the accreditation is an indicator of quality, which helps patients, chose between healthcare facilities.

"In Abu Dhabi, we give healthcare facilities the freedom to choose an accreditation standard, as long as it is internationally recognized. JCI is one such accreditation standards, which happens to be frequently used in the UAE," added Vetter.

In an exclusive interview with Dr Derick P. Pasternak, Managing Director for JCI Middle East office, Gulf News learnt that hospitals across the UAE that have not received accreditation on the first visit by JCI, are given a second chance to come into compliance with HAAD standards, where a denial of accreditation is issued only if the hospital cannot correct the non-compliant issues within six months.

"This has happened among hospitals across the UAE but we do not publicize the names of the hospitals. Transparency and the desire to have more hospitals improve their care are not congruent and we at this time come down on the side of encouraging hospitals to enter the process," said Pasternak.

Pasternak stressed that hospitals share an increased interest in finding out what is meant by improving the quality of care. "The relatively large percentage of UAE hospitals that have achieved JCI or other international accreditation is a signal that hospitals take seriously the mandate to improve their care," he said.

According to Dr Ahmad Al Mazrouei, Chairman of HAAD, Abu Dhabi is working to develop and upgrade performance standards to ensure high quality of personnel and health care delivery. "The release and implementation of the sets of standards for hospitals, ambulatory care and continuum of care will foster major improvements to the quality of health care delivered," said Al Mazrouei.

Hospitals across the UAE that have been accredited by Joint Commission International

Al Corniche Hospital
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: December 7 2007

Al Rahba Hospital
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: May 4 2006

Al Wasl Maternity & Paediatric Hospital - DOHMS Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: September 7 2007

American Hospital Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: 25 May 2000
Re-accredited: May 28 2003
Re-accredited: April 27 2006

Dubai Hospital - DOHMS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: November 2 2007

International Modern Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: November 1 2007

MEDCARE Hospital L.L.C.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: November 22 2007

Oasis Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: June 9 2007

Rashid Hospital - DOHMS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: October 26 2007

Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: May 11 2006

Thalassemia Center - DOHMS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Ambulatory Care
First Accredited: November 9 2007

Zulekha Hospital, Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: December 20 2007

Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited: December 13 2007

Al Noor Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Program: Hospital
First Accredited : July 1 2008