Transforming Healthcare Systems for JCIA Accreditation

Accreditation of healthcare has become a global reference to quality and patient safety. One of the most demanding international accreditation mechanism, which is known to possess widely evaluated quality and safety of health care, is the Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA). Even though JCIA has been effectively procured in most hospitals of high income countries and even in developing countries like India, the UAE and Malaysia, Pakistani hospitals face significant challenges in attaining this status. The paper addresses challenges and opportunities associated with the JCIA accreditation in Pakistan in financial, infrastructural, organizational and cultural countries. Using a mixed-methods paradigm, which involves a literature review, interviews, and surveys, the study identifies the severe weaknesses of the current healthcare system in Pakistan such as ineffective patient safety protocols, lack of staff training, or the ineffectiveness of the tools of governance. The study proposes a strategic plan of the Pakistani hospitals with reference to the change in governance, building workforce capacity, patient focus and international alliances. These findings point to the potential JCIA accreditation can bring to the country to enhance the state of care, patient outcomes, and transform the country into a competitive healthcare destination within the region.