FV Hospital is actively preparing for the Joint Commission International (JCI) assessment in 2025, where we will achieve our fourth consecutive certification of this prestigious medical quality standard. A key difference in this preparation is the introduction of the ‘JCI Tracer with AMP’ toolfor the first time, an advanced technological solution that promises significant positive changes in the hospital’s quality management and assessment processes.

New Challenges and Thorough Preparation

According to Mr Mohd Fazli Shuib, Quality and Risk Management Director, the 2025 assessment will mark several important changes in the JCI evaluation process, reflecting the on-going evolution and increasing rigor of this renowned patient safety standard. A notable shift is the heightened focus on the integration of digital technology in healthcare and ensuring data security. Additionally, there are new requirements for enhancing patient engagement strategies and updating global safety protocols.

Mr Mohd Fazli Shuib affirmed that the JCI evaluation process will undergo many changes in the future

Overseeing and supporting the mock JCI surveys, Mr Allan Seron informed us that the hospital’s Compliance and Audit team has conducted a comprehensive analysis of JCI versions 7 and 8 (the version applicable for 2025) to address these new challenges. “We have conducted internal audits and mock evaluations to ensure that FV’s processes meet the updated JCI requirements,” Allan added.

The Compliance and Audit team analyses FV’s processes in comparison with JCI requirements.

The updated JCI criteria emphasise the importance of patient-centred healthcare technology systems. These include requirements such as using technology to support clinical decision-making, enhancing the management and protection of patient information, and improving the capacity to understand and share across different cultures in healthcare. This ensures that patient care is tailored appropriately, considering the various factors influencing specific patient groups.

JCI Tracer with AMP: A Ground-breaking tool in Preparation

JCI Tracer with AMP is an application developed by Joint Commission International to help hospitals and healthcare organisations monitor and improve patient care processes and safety management. This is the first time FV Hospital is using JCI Tracer to prepare for the 2025 survey. The tool is praised for offering a modern and user-friendly approach.

The JCI Tracer with AMP tool is considered modern and user-friendly (mobile version)

Allan reiterated, “JCI Tracer allows us to track the patient’s journey through different stages of care, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.” By simulating real-world scenarios, the application can fully assess how FV’s processes align with JCI standards, thereby ensuring that the clinical team’s practices fully meet the required standards.

The AMP (Accreditation Management Platform) aspect further enhances this tool’s utility by providing a centralised system for managing the entire accreditation process. AMP allows us to record findings, track corrective actions, and monitor the entire process in real time (*). The data monitoring and analysis provided by AMP ensure that all issues are promptly updated and addressed, keeping us on track to meet all accreditation requirements.

Impact on Daily Operations and Staff Training

The implementation of ‘JCI Tracer with AMP’ is expected to bring significant changes to daily operations, even though JCI procedures have become a routine part of our work. Now, with the convenience of JCI Tracer, departments can continuously monitor and evaluate reports, making quick and accurate decisions to improve processes without disrupting daily tasks. “This proactive approach helps us identify potential issues before they become serious, ensuring that our practices remain aligned with JCI standards,” Mr Fazli noted.

The JCI Tracer with AMP tool will provide faster support for FV staff to update their knowledge of care quality.

In terms of staff training on using JCI Tracer with AMP, an initial training session was conducted by a JCI clinical consultant last July. This helped key personnel receive in-depth guidance on effectively using the tool and applying the new JCI standards to their daily work. Allan added, “Additionally, the Compliance Team is always available for technical support throughout the use of the platform, so everyone can confidently master it.”

The Quality Management Department encourages staff to explore the application independently to become familiar with its features, thereby using it more effectively in daily operations. ‘JCI Tracer with AMP’ is expected to enhance the hospital’s management activities while ensuring that we are well-equipped to maintain compliance with JCI standards, continuing to provide safe and effective patient care.

(*) Real-time: A technological term meaning that when events occur through applications, they are immediately reported to you. The real-time on applications may not coincide with your actual time, but the gap is typically so small that it makes us think the two events occurred simultaneously.