Aetna continues efforts to improve access to quality care in Middle East

JCI is the international not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission, the oldest and largest health care accrediting body in the world.

"These educational sessions demonstrate our continued commitment to build strong and secure partnerships with health care facilities in order to promote access to quality care," said Stuart Leatherby, AGB managing director in the Middle East and Africa. "We believe accreditation programmes, such as JCI's, offer health care professionals a solid framework for implementing essential leadership, management, quality improvement, and clinical structures and processes in their organisations."

A select group of providers, who are part of Aetna's provider network in the Middle East region, are participating in one-day workshops occurring in Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai. Key discussion topics include:

• Achieving quality and patient safety;
• Impact of JCI accreditation;
• Role of leadership and governance; and
• Risk and utilisation management strategies.

"Joint Commission International is pleased to extend our knowledge and expertise to Aetna Global Benefits and their provider community in order to support their quest to enhance the quality and safety of health care in the Middle East region," said Dr. Ashraf Ismail, Managing Director, Middle East Office for Joint Commission International.

Added Leatherby, "We remain focused on building our comprehensive global network to achieve continued high quality, affordability, access and convenience for our customers and members. We believe this initiative can make a positive impact on our customer, member and provider communities in the Middle East region."

AGB members currently have access to more than 61,000 health care providers outside of the United States through the organisation's direct-settlement arrangements and strategic partnerships. In the United States, members have access to more than 900,000 health care professionals.