Beyond Accreditation: How Medical Optics Embeds the JCI Standards with HCI’s Expertise
“Partnering with HCI over the last number of years has fundamentally shaped our approach to quality and patient safety. HCI’s in-depth understanding of the JCI Standards and how to implement them in everyday practice has been invaluable. The onsite audits, QIPs and data tracking provides us with the evidence and insights to demonstrate our commitment to patient safety and quality improvement. This continuous support has kept us focused, making JCI a full cycle experience. We look forward to continuing our partnership with HCI to ensure we sustain JCI Accreditation and provide the best possible care for our patients.”
Derek Hamilton
COO of Medical Optics
Background
Medical Optics, a prominent practice of ophthalmologists, originally partnered with HCI to develop a robust Quality and Safety Management System to achieve accreditation in 2019, in line with the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation Standards for Ambulatory Care. This milestone established Medical Optics as a leader in quality and patient safety for medical and surgical eye care. In 2022, with the assistance of HCI, Medical Optics subsequently achieved reaccreditation, solidifying its commitment to excellence.
Over the past five years, this collaboration has grown, with HCI continuously supporting Medical Optics in maintaining JCI standards, thus embedding a culture of ongoing quality improvement and patient safety within the organisation.
Objectives
- Support Medical Optics to sustain JCI Accreditation and embed JCI processes within the organisation.
- Ensure that patient safety and quality improvement remains a consistent focus.
- Conduct monthly tracer audits to identify Quality Improvement Plans to address any gaps in compliance.
- Maintain a QIP tracker to demonstrate that improvements are continuously being implemented.
- Conduct Quarterly Quality and Safety Reviews to evaluate audit findings and outstanding actions.
Solution
To support Medical Optics to embed the JCI processes within the organisation, HCI provide the following service:
Monthly Onsite Quality and Safety Tracer Audits.
Analysis of Findings.
Development of Reports with QIPS.
Provide Reports and QIPs to Medical Optics.
Complete a QIP Tracker.
KPI Data Collection.
Data analysis of Quarterly Audit Findings.
Quarterly Quality and Safety Review Meetings.
JCI Support and Guidance to Staff.
Outcome
This partnership has resulted in sustained improvements in Medical Optics’ quality and safety standards. With HCI’s monthly tracer audits, Medical Optics maintains a consistent focus on JCI processes and patient safety, enabling the team to address opportunities for improvement proactively and demonstrate compliance regularly.
Having HCI’s Specialists onsite each month helps staff gain a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to quality and safety, and how to apply the JCI standards into their daily practices. This ongoing cycle of objective assessment and improvement has streamlined the reaccreditation process, reinforcing Medical Optics’ readiness for future JCI Accreditation surveys.
Benefits of JCI Accreditation
- JCI accreditation positions Medical Optics with top healthcare providers, bolstering their reputation in the ophthalmology sector.
- Accreditation is essential for insurance eligibility, particularly within surgical fields, ensuring Medical Optics operate to the highest level of quality and patient safety.
- Establishes a foundation for structured processes, driving improvements in areas like patient safety, infection control, and facilities management.
- Allows Medical Optics to benchmark themselves internationally against other JCI accredited organisations.
Benefits of Partnering with HCI
- Regular tracer audits sustain a steady focus on JCI standards, making patient safety and quality improvement an ongoing priority.
- HCI’s objective audits and recommendations are respected by staff and swiftly implemented.
- Structured QIPs enhance operational efficiency, providing a clear roadmap for continuous improvement and optimised resource allocation.
- The audit record and QIP data provides evidence of continuous improvement which is necessary for accreditation.
- HCI’s onsite support and expertise in JCI standards alleviate accreditation-related stress, making the process manageable and less disruptive to everyday operations.
- HCI provide a consistent resource for JCI knowledge, mitigating the impact of staff turnover and ensuring that JCI processes and operational knowledge remains intact.
