The Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Acibadem Sistina Hospital has been successfully accredited by JCI standards. The very accreditation is a serious confirmation that the hospital guarantees high-quality health care, meaning it is ready to improve the quality of health care and it is safe for patients and the staff. The long and comprehensive process of accreditation took place during February, in specific conditions, during a pandemic. Previously, Acibadem Sistina Hospital has received JCI-accreditation that was successfully reaffirmed last year. Ass. Prof. Vladimir Chadikovski, MD, head of the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and a pediatric cardiac surgeon, says that receiving JCI-accreditation certifies the systemic method of operation and proves that world standards and patient safety are the top priorities of this department, as well as the entire hospital.

The accreditation process implies not just the day of inspection, but practically several months of intensive preparation, learning, strengthening and promoting the established practices of the highest patient safety, safe administration of medicines, good communication between staff and to patients and clean medical documentation. These are top priorities regularly applied at the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery where a particularly vulnerable category of patients are treated.

For the first time in the history of the Macedonian cardiac surgery, the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery will be recognized as an accredited center for treatment of children with congenital heart defects, meeting all world standards, such as staff, infrastructure and equipment, with one goal – the best health care for our children. Having this type of prestigious accreditation is a sign of recognition for any hospital no matter the country of location. “It is a guarantee for the patient, and in our case for the parent, that the hospital will provide the highest service by world standards”, said Ass.Prof. Vladimir Chadikovski, MD, a cardiac surgeon.

After all, the JCI-accreditation and the team of involved professionals use a systematic approach that contributes to the success of this department – unique in the country and in the region.

However, receiving a JCI certificate is a long process that includes an in-depth analysis of the hospital’s operations, a need to meet certain criteria related to patient safety and the quality of medical care. The whole hospital staff, who certainly create the basic postulates of operation at the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, was selflessly involved in the process of accreditation.

“Acibadem Sistina Hospital, the only one in our country, offers care for these complex patients, using a multidisciplinary approach. The treatment of patients involves a large team of doctors of various profiles – pediatric cardiac surgeon, pediatric specialists in all fields, pediatric anesthesiologists, cardiologists, pediatric radiologists, further supported by experienced university professors from the Acibadem hospitals in Istanbul in the field of pediatric interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery”, says Dr. Vedran Stojanovikj, a specialist in pediatrics.

The standardization took place virtually, implying that all activities were realized using video and audio technology through the Zoom platform.

“Performing video interviews with the staff and the management, inspection of the physical environment, control of the complete documentation, medical files and staff files, the auditor reached every segment of the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and made a complete evaluation of the system effectiveness for a safe and high-quality health care. The entire documentation related to the standards and expectations of the new, seventh edition of JCI-standardization was duly placed on the JCI (Joint Commission International) website two weeks before the confirmed accreditation date”, says Milena Budzarovska, a quality manager.

As an additional issue, JCI team asked to present the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the operation at Acibadem Sistina Hospital in every aspect – procedural, managerial and as an outcome. Budzarovska adds that the auditor’s comment was positive and encouraging, i.e. that a detailed approach was applied to all factors of operation, based on a good assessment of projected risks.

The Standardization Commission awarded the gold seal to Acibadem Sistina Hospital again, this time to the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery for its continuous standardization and commitment to safe and high-quality health care.