2/19/2015

For the third time since 2008, the UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre, operated by UPMC in Waterford, Ireland, has successfully achieved accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI). This recognition is based on an extensive review of the center’s patient safety and quality standards and processes.

The JCI is the recognized leader in international health care accreditation and is considered the gold standard in global health care. Its accreditation process focuses on determining whether a health care facility has the right systems and processes in place to support high-quality and safe patient care, and has the culture and capacity to continuously improve care. JCI’s surveyors examine crucial issues such as patient and family education, access to care and medication management. The process requires hospitals to demonstrate a track record of standards compliance and relies on candid interviews with patients, nurses and physicians about care practices.

“The success of this, our third, accreditation survey reflects the ongoing efforts of the whole Cancer Centre team and their dedication to continuing to provide a quality service to all cancer patients in the southeast region,” said Catriona McDonald, director of operations and radiotherapy services manager.

“Demonstrating compliance with JCI standards serves as validation of an organization’s commitment to an internationally recognized, time-tested and comprehensive level of quality,” explained Cheryl Brill, UPMC’s vice president of international clinical operations and quality. “This outstanding result is a testament to the UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre staff and to their commitment to excellence in the treatment of patients.”

UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre offers the most advanced radiation therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy, to residents of the southeast region of Ireland. One of only four ambulatory care centers to be JCI-accredited in Ireland, the center is committed to delivering the highest standard of radiation therapy and supportive care for patients with all types of cancer.

Established to respond to a growing demand around the world for standards-based evaluation of quality in health care, JCI today accredits or certifies more than 700 health care organizations and clinical care programs in over 100 countries. JCI is the international arm of the Joint Commission, which has worked for more than 50 years to improve the quality and safety of health care services. As the largest accreditor of health care organizations in the United States, the Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations through a voluntary process and is recognized as a leader in all aspects of safe, high-quality care.