Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) stands out as the first private dental provider in Southeast Asia and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to receive the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Since its establishment in 2006, BIDC has always prioritized patient safety and quality treatment.
Initially accredited under International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001 for its quality management system. However, ISO certifications audited quality and management systems, but did not focus on the area of patient treatment care. When JCI extend its accreditation to ambulatory care facilities beyond hospitals, BIDC’s made a natural and quick decision to implement the JCI standards as part of its commitment to excellence in dental care.
Joint Commission International (JCI)
Joint Commission International (JCI) is a globally recognized accreditation body that certifies healthcare organizations for meeting rigorous standards of quality and patient safety. Part of the Joint Commission (JC) based in the United States, JCI focuses specifically on international healthcare certifications.
The JCI accreditation process involves a thorough evaluation of healthcare facilities across key areas such as patient care, infection control, facility management and staff qualifications. The audit examines whether a facility meets the highest standards of patient safety.
Focal points include the effectiveness of quality systems, evidence-based patient care, stringent protocols to reduce healthcare-associated infections, a team of well-trained and competent staff as well as having a safe and well-maintained environment for patient care.
JCI Audit Process Explained
JCI standards are organized into two main sections: Patient-Centered Standards and Healthcare Organization Management Standards. For ambulatory care, JCI outlines 14 key chapters across these sections.
JCI Ambulatory Care Standards : Main 2 Sections
These focus on the efficiency of clinical operations, ensuring safe and effective patient care inside the dental clinic:
- International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs): These six goals address critical issues such as patient identification, communication during handovers, safe surgery protocols, infection control, and preventing patient harm from falls.
- Patient Accessibility and Continuity of Care (ACC): Ensures coordinated care across all dental professionals and external providers throughout the patient’s journey.
- Patient and Family Rights (PFR): Upholds patient and family rights, including informed consent, privacy, and participation in care decisions.
- Assessment of Patients (AOP): Assesses physical, psychological, and social needs during initial and ongoing treatment.
- Care of Patient (COP): Providing safe, consistent care, including monitoring and documenting treatment plans.
- Anesthesia and Surgical Care (ASC): Safely administers local anesthesia and managing oral surgeries with contingency plans for potential complications.
- Medication Management and Use (MMU): Ensures the safe use of medications, including purchase, storage, prescription, and monitoring.
- Patient and Family Education (PFE): Educates patients and their families on treatment options, self-care, and active participation in their care.
These focus on the administrative aspects of the healthcare organization.
- Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QPS): Fosters a proactive approach to continuous improvement and safety.
- Prevention and Control of Infections (PCI): Implements effective infection control measures, including hand hygiene, sterilization, and environmental cleaning.
- Governance, Leadership, and Direction (GLD): Ensures leadership sets strategic directions and maintains accountability for quality and safety.
- Facility Management and Safety (FMS): Ensures a safe physical environment, including maintenance, fire safety, and disaster preparedness.
- Staff Qualifications and Education (SQE): Ensures staff are highly qualified and receive continuous training to maintain high standards of care.
- Management of Information (MOI): Effectively manages clinical and administrative data to support patient care and decision-making.
Each of the 14 chapters includes measurable elements (MEs) that are evaluated during the audit. Facilities are scored based on whether they fully meet, partially meet, or do not meet the required standards.
JCI audits are checked by qualified medical care experts by on-site survey. They assess the organization’s compliance with JCI’s standards through interviews, observations, and documentation review. Audits, at this point, are conducted every three years to ensure continued adherence. On top of the triennial JCI audits, BIDC also performs ISO certification audits and internal quality checks annually.
JCI uses a unique tracer methodology to assess how care is delivered to patients. After audit occurs, SAFER™ matrix is provided to help organizations identify and prioritize areas for improvement looking at the above 14 chapters. There are more than 105 measurement elements (ME) in the ambulatory care standards scored and measured for Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC).
“As a JCI-accredited provider, BIDC offers the confidence of internationally recognized standards, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, highly qualified specialists, and personalized care.
One of BIDC’s most notable accomplishments is our investment in cutting-edge dental technologies and comprehensive staff training to meet JCI’s rigorous standards. This ensures that every patient receives safe, efficient, and world-class dental care.”
– Dr. Wilaiwan Panyavorachart DDS., BIDC Director
BIDC's History of Quality Accreditations
2012
2015
2018
2021
Behind the Scenes: JCI Audit at BIDC
The JCI accreditation process at BIDC begins with a comprehensive self-assessment and gap analysis, where BIDC’s management team identified areas for improvement in patient care, risk management, medication control, and infection prevention.
Notably, BIDC is one of the few dental clinics in Thailand to employ registered nurses who screen incoming patients for health risks, allergies, and infectious diseases. Their Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) ensures proper sterilization and separation of dirty and clean instruments to prevent cross-contamination. BIDC uses industrial-grade autoclave machines to sterilize dental instruments, and all instruments are triple-checked with chemical and biological indicators.
Additionally, BIDC has stringent protocols for fire safety, risk management, and medication monitoring, with regular checks on temperature controls for medications. Hazardous chemical storage and airflow exchange are tracked. All front-line staff undergo training in Basic Life Support (BLS), infection control, and safety measures. All dentists and nurses are verified on their license from primary source with performance evaluation.
Snap shots of JCI safety and quality topics – infection prevention controls, patient transfer, fire safety, water quality checks and hand hygiene, .
Benefits of Choosing a JCI-Accredited Provider
The JCI accreditation process involves a thorough evaluation by healthcare experts who assess an organization’s policies, procedures, and practices. Achieving JCI accreditation requires significant investment in infrastructure, management systems, and staff training. JCI is considered the gold standard in healthcare, signaling that an organization is committed to continuous improvement and high-quality patient care.
For patients, choosing a JCI accredited provider offers reassurance that the healthcare facility adheres to internationally recognized standards. The accreditation process is similar to that of hospitals in USA, meaning patients can expect the same level of care and safety as they would in a Joint Commission certified facility.
Unlike other local or national certifications, JCI accreditation reflects global benchmarks, providing a comprehensive evaluation of a healthcare organization’s entire system. It also emphasizes on cultural sensitivity, making it ideal for international patients. At BIDC, over 60% of patients are from abroad, highlighting the clinic’s international reach.
What Makes BIDC a Best Dental Clinic?
BIDC is proud to be the first dental provider in Thailand to achieve JCI accreditation, starting in 2012. BIDC has currently passed four triennial surveys, maintaining its status as the longest-standing JCI-accredited dental provider. As the first pioneer dental provider to have implemented the standards, BIDC leads the dental industry as is the first dental provider to setup, implement and continually improve best dental practice guidelines for dental care services.
BIDC’s implementation of JCI exceed over and above local or global standards as a leading and one of the best dental clinic within the region. Tailored specifically to dental care services, BIDC sets the industry benchmark on infection control protocols, sterilization processes, and patient care standards for the dental service industry. Over the past 19 years, BIDC has receiving a large number of prestigious government and international awards for as an outstanding dental provider and dental tourism center in Asia Pacific.
In its 2021 triennial audit, BIDC made history as the only medical facility in Thailand and one of the few handful of healthcare practices globally to meet all of JCI’s over measurable elements. This accomplishment reflects the dedication of BIDC’s leadership and staff to providing the highest standards of dental care boasting BIDC at one of the chosen best dental clinic in the region.
At BIDC dental clinic’s recent 2024 triennial ambulatory care audit, JCI surveyor Ms. Julie McCuaghan RN, MM (Nursing), MBA, DBS (Leadership) complimented BIDC on its original patient safety protocol. She mentioned during her long-standing medical care journey, BIDC is her first and only facility she has recommended to submit and share an original best practice guidelines with other medical facilities in the JCI library. BIDC’s innovative antibiotic prophylaxis flow for infective endocarditis cases provides a consistent process flow to dentists on antibiotics prescription and administration to patients with underlying conditions prior to receiving care treatment.
The Key Advantage of JCI Accreditation at BIDC
According to Ms. Tanaphan, BIDC’s Quality & Patient Safety Manager, the most significant benefit of JCI accreditation is the culture of continuous improvement it fosters. This mindset has led to higher levels of accountability, teamwork, and professional development within the clinic, all of which contribute to better patient care.
Ms. Tanaphan also highlights that patients choose BIDC because of its commitment to quality, safety, and excellence. As a JCI accredited provider, BIDC offers internationally recognized standards, cutting-edge technologies, highly qualified specialists and personalized care.
BIDC’s team of dentists includes professors from top dental schools in the country and renowned international speakers in specialized fields. BIDC dental clinic is also home to the highest number of ITI Straumann fellowship implantologists in Thailand. Many of BIDC’s dental specialists are overseas graduates from USA, UK, Europe and Australia. Or board certified dentists in prosthodontics, esthetics dentistry and orthodontics.
This combination of high-level expertise, advanced technology, and a patient-centered approach is what sets BIDC apart as a trusted clinic for providing one of the world’s best oral healthcare.
JCI Surveyor congratulates BIDC’s Quality and Patient Safety Manager on 2024 JCI accreditation
“For our staff, it has fostered a deeper sense of accountability, teamwork, and professional development. At BIDC, JCI has elevated the quality of care, ensuring every process prioritizes patient safety, satisfaction, and outcomes.
This mindset has transformed the way we deliver dental care, ensuring transparency, trust, and reliability in every patient interaction.”
– Tanaphan Gunthasit, Quality & Patient Safety Manager
Contact Us – BIDC Dental Clinics
Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) Main Office
157,159 Soi Ratchadaphisek 7 Ratchadapesik Rd. Din Daeng District Bangkok 10400
Tel : +66 (2) 694 6400, +66 (2) 692 4433
Email : contact@demo.bangkokbraces.com
Line ID : @bidcdental
References
- Above article content is written by Dr. Wilaiwan Panyavorachart DDS., Prince of Songkhla University, Consulting Dentist
- Content and text on Joint Commission International (JCI) has been taken from JCI website including International Patient Safety Goals, Safer Matrix explained, JCI accreditation process