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Aetna Global Benefits® Contracts With Joint Commission International To Improve Access To Quality Care


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Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today that it has contracted with Joint Commission International (JCI), a division of Joint Commission Resources (JCR), the not-for-profit affiliate of the Joint Commission, to evaluate those hospitals and clinics throughout the world with whom Aetna Global Benefits (AGB) has contracted. The agreement with JCI strengthens Aetna’s commitment to providing its members with access to quality care wherever they live or travel in the world.

As part of the evaluation process, Aetna and JCI will develop a health care assessment questionnaire, which will feature questions on type and volume of services, number and credentialing of staff, general safety and emergency procedures, medication and patient safety, patient privacy, and disaster preparedness. The questionnaire will be used to gather a baseline of information regarding the capabilities of each of their international network member hospitals.

“Comparisons of international health care systems and providers have always been difficult,” said Martha Temple, president of Aetna Global Benefits. “JCI accreditation is considered the gold standard internationally, and this health care assessment questionnaire is the first step toward helping our member hospitals to eventually seek accreditation.”

Aetna will assist participating providers in delivering safer patient care by encouraging them to meet JCI accreditation standards, which include the implementation of essential leadership, management, quality improvement, and clinical structures and processes in their organizations.

The agreement with JCI offers additional benefits to those hospitals that elect to contract with AGB. These facilities will have access to JCI information about quality and patient safety, as well as educational tools to help their organizations monitor quality on an ongoing basis.

“Joint Commission International is pleased to offer our services to Aetna Global Benefits in order to support their quest to enhance the quality and safety of health care in their international direct provider community,” said Karen Timmons, president and CEO of Joint Commission International and Joint Commission Resources.



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