Aetna Global Benefits(R) Contracts with Joint Commission International to Improve Access to Quality Care.HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna announced today that it has contracted with Joint Commission International (JCI JCI Journal of Clinical Investigation JCI Johnson Controls, Inc. JCI Junior Chamber International JCI Joint Commission International JCI Japan Concrete Institute JCI Journal of Communication Inquiry JCI Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company Limited ), a division of Joint Commission Resources (JCR JCR Journal Citation Reports JCR Java Content Repository (IBM) JCR Junior Common Room (British university term) JCR Journal of Clinical Rheumatology JCR Journal of Circadian Rhythms ), the not-for-profit affiliate of the Joint Commission, to evaluate those hospitals and clinics throughout the world with whom Aetna Global Benefits (AGB AGB Game Boy Advance AGB Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen (German: General terms and conditions / Standard business conditions) AGB Ice Breaker (USCG) AGB Asymptotic Giant Branch ) 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 pre·par·ed·ness n. The state of being prepared, especially military readiness for combat. Noun 1. preparedness - the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them . 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 (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Joint Commission International and Joint Commission Resources. About Aetna Global Benefits AGB has built an industry-leading international direct pay provider community to assist members with out-of-pocket payment for high cost care such as inpatient inpatient /in·pa·tient/ (in´pa-shent) a patient who comes to a hospital or other health care facility for diagnosis or treatment that requires an overnight stay. in·pa·tient n. hospitalization hospitalization /hos·pi·tal·iza·tion/ (hos?pi-t'l-i-za´shun) 1. the placing of a patient in a hospital for treatment. 2. the term of confinement in a hospital. , complex medical procedures and emergency care. Today there are more than 700 international providers participating in AGB's direct pay community in more than 100 countries. About Aetna Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.7 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or , group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups employer group Association of employers Managed care An entity with a current group benefits agreement in effect with a health plan to provide covered health care services to its employee-subscribers and eligible dependents. , individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, and government-sponsored plans in the U.S. and internationally. Aetna's international businesses include Aetna Global Benefits, Aetna's expatriate Expatriate An employee who is a U.S. citizen living and working in a foreign country. benefits division that focuses on providing comprehensive solutions to employees working, traveling and living in over 100 countries. www.aetna.com |
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