HSA awarded the Joint Commission Accreditation for gold standard safety and patient care

The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) has earned the most prestigious hospital accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI). The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® is recognised by the international healthcare community as a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organisation’s commitment to providing safe and high-quality patient care.

To obtain accreditation the Authority underwent a rigorous onsite review of its facilities both in Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands from 1 May, 2023 to 10 May, 2023. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission surveyors evaluated compliance with global hospital standards spanning several areas including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management and rights and responsibilities of the patient. They also conducted onsite observations and staff interviews.

Chief Executive Officer Lizzette Yearwood said, “While our laboratories in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac have been JCI accredited for years, this is the first time in history that the HSA, including all our satellite locations, has been awarded accreditation. This is a great honour and one that involved the dedication and exceptional work of each staff member within the organisation from our Board and Senior Management to our environmental workers and kitchen staff.

“Achieving accreditation on our first attempt was no easy feat. It involved years of preparation and facilities upgrades including the renovation of our operating rooms and nursing stations. We identified all risk areas, increased standardisation and demonstrated our unwavering commitment to excellence in quality of care and patient safety, in compliance with the highest international standards,” she continued.

Board Chairman Osbourne Bodden stated, “This world-class accreditation of our national healthcare provider is a testament to the outstanding level of healthcare services in the Cayman Islands. This is in alignment with the government’s vision to improve healthcare across all three islands, which now has positioned HSA among the best hospitals in the world.”

The JCI’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organisations measure, assess and improve performance. The JCI may accredit entire hospital services or only specific departments within hospitals. The inspections involve the evaluation of the quality of clinical services, patient safety, the competence of medical and administrative staff, the quality of equipment and the policies, protocols and procedures used. To maintain this prestigious accreditation, hospitals are subject to inspection every three years by the JCI representatives.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.