FV Hospital has once again earned the prestigious Gold Seal of Approval from Joint Commission International (JCI), the global authority in healthcare quality accreditation – marking its fourth consecutive JCI accreditation. JCI experts have recognised FV as one of the safest and highest-performing hospitals in Southeast Asia, with the potential to become a world-class medical institution.

According to FV’s CEO, the hospital delivers healthcare equivalent in quality to leading regional facilities, such as Bumrungrad in Thailand, Prince Court in Malaysia, and Mount Elizabeth in Singapore, at approximately half the cost. A JCI representative remarked, “FV has the vision of becoming one of the best hospitals in the world.”

Only around 1,000 hospitals worldwide hold JCI’s prestigious Gold Seal of Approval. In Vietnam, JCI-accredited hospitals remain few, making FV’s achievement of four consecutive accreditations a rare and exceptional milestone – one that few institutions globally can match.

“In Singapore, only eight to nine hospitals are JCI-accredited, and in Thailand, there are about six.” said Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon, CEO of FV Hospital. “These figures highlight the difficulty of meeting JCI standards, not only in Vietnam but across other developing countries.”

This challenge was clearly evident during the recent evaluation, where JCI surveyors meticulously examined every detail, right down to whether surgical scissors were left open during sterilisation. Scissors that remain closed are considered inadequately cleaned, while only open scissors meet JCI’s strict sterilisation requirements. FV’s clinical teams spent nearly two months rehearsing these procedures until they became second nature.

“We fully understand that such attention to detail is essential for ensuring maximum patient safety and optimal treatment outcomes. That’s why the entire FV team has made significant efforts over a long period to meet each of JCI’s more than 1,200 rigorous standards,” said an FV representative.

FV first achieved JCI accreditation in 2016, with subsequent re-accreditations in 2019 and 2022, following JCI’s three-year evaluation cycle. In 2025, FV earned its fourth consecutive accreditation – this time with an almost perfect score.

During the final debriefing, Mr Antonio Silva-Pérez, Lead Administrator Surveyor, congratulated FV on its 15-year commitment to JCI standards. “FV’s vision goes beyond being a leading hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, or even Southeast Asia – you aspire to be one of the best hospitals globally. You are truly making this a reality, scoring nearly 1,200 points – an exceptional achievement!”

After a week of observation, JCI’s surveyors expressed strong appreciation for FV’s operations. Dr Shao-Hua Ko, a Medical Surveyor from JCI, praised the hospital’s professionalism and commitment to improvement: “FV Hospital has excellent clinical practices and processes – some of the best I’ve ever seen.”

Nurse Surveyor Ms Susan Philip described the experience as a “true learning journey” and stated that the team had gained valuable insights to pass on to other hospitals pursuing JCI accreditation worldwide.

The survey team also praised FV staff for their dedication and patient-centred approach, highlighting their unwavering efforts to deliver the best possible care. “You have truly given your all to provide the best for your patients.”

Enhancing Quality While Halving the Cost Compared to Regional Hospitals

JCI accreditation is based on more than 1,200 rigorous criteria, encompassing every aspect of hospital operations – from patient admission to discharge. These standards are designed to maximise patient safety and minimise medical risks.

With each quality assessment, JCI updates its evaluation criteria to reflect the ongoing developments and rising standards in patient safety. In the latest accreditation cycle, two new areas were introduced: health technology, which covers the integration of digital technology and data security in healthcare, and the impact of healthcare institutions on global health, with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. FV Hospital received high marks in both categories from JCI surveyors.

Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon, CEO of FV Hospital added, “Consistently passing JCI assessments, with increasingly stringent standards, proves that FV’s quality is on par with leading hospitals in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, while our costs remain just half as high.”

Mr Mohd Fazli Shuib, Director of Quality and Risk Management at FV, reaffirmed that the hospital is committed to sustainable development, stating that FV aims to go beyond even JCI standards to deliver even greater value to patients.

“When we talk about JCI, we are referring to patient safety and the quality of care, which is a continuous journey rather than a final destination,” emphasised Mr Fazli. “The standards set by JCI are regarded as the minimum benchmarks that FV strives to meet. In my opinion, the patient safety standards at FV should go beyond JCI’s. The recent changes by JCI serve as a stepping stone, bringing FV closer to the highest levels of patient safety we aim to achieve.”