CHANGI GENERAL HOSPITAL - JCIA JOURNEY
6 August 2004 - 10 June 2005
by Salmah Bte Samion

Changi General Hospital embarked on its Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) journey in August 2004. The project was kicked off by CEO, Mr T K Udairam and CMB Prof Fock Kwong Ming. 

JCI is an international division of JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) and has accredited organizations all over the world based on 368 Standards involving everyone in the hospital from the physicians to support staff including housekeepers and porters.

In preparation for the audit, a series of JCIA briefings were conducted as part of the JCIA Awareness Program in October 2004.  Malay & Hokkien briefings were conducted for the non-English speaking staff to ensure thorough communication to all staff.

Besides the general briefings, training and competency tests were conducted for Housekeepers and Porters on topics like Infection Control, Handling of Spills, PPE, Fire Safety, Patient Safety and Patient Confidentiality.  Training on handling major chemical spills and cytotoxic spills were conducted for Housekeeping Facility Executives and other Hospital staff.  Meanwhile, the hospital underwent intensive cleaning and sprucing up while the wheelchairs were equipped with safety belts.

When the final audit came in June 2005, everyone was highly charged and ready to face the auditors. Our staff were told not to shy away from the auditors and be confident in their answers.

Both Housekeeping and Central Transportation & Despatch Departments’ hard work paid off, as there were zero non- compliance demerits.    

Several departments and wards commended on Housekeeping for giving them the support and assistance to prepare them for the audit.  

The successful achievement of the JCIA certification for the next 3 years was officially announced in July 2005.  In recognition of our staff’s efforts, CEO, Mr T K Udairam also announced that a token of incentive will be given to UMC ServiceMaster staff who had participated in the audit.

We are most grateful for the recognition and the award.  The staff have certainly deserved the recognition for their part.

Congratulations and well done to all UMC ServiceMaster staff at CGH.

Facility Executives equipped to handle a major chemical spill.

Salmah training the Housekeepers in Spill Management