As part of the evaluation process, Aetna and JCI will develop a health care assessment questionnaire, which will feature questions on type and volume of services, number and credentialing of staff, general safety and emergency procedures, medication and patient safety, patient privacy, and disaster preparedness. The questionnaire will be used to gather a baseline of information regarding the capabilities of each of their international network member hospitals.

"Comparisons of international health care systems and providers have always been difficult," said Martha Temple, president of Aetna Global Benefits. "JCI accreditation is considered the gold standard internationally, and this health care assessment questionnaire is the first step toward helping our member hospitals to eventually seek accreditation."

Aetna will assist participating providers in delivering safer patient care by encouraging them to meet JCI accreditation standards, which include the implementation of essential leadership, management, quality improvement, and clinical structures and processes in their organizations.

The agreement with JCI offers additional benefits to those hospitals that elect to contract with AGB. These facilities will have access to JCI information about quality and patient safety, as well as educational tools to help their organizations monitor quality on an ongoing basis.

"Joint Commission International is pleased to offer our services to Aetna Global Benefits in order to support their quest to enhance the quality and safety of health care in their international direct provider community," said Karen Timmons, president and CEO of Joint Commission International and Joint Commission Resources.

About Aetna Global Benefits
AGB has built an industry-leading international direct pay provider community to assist members with out-of-pocket payment for high cost care such as inpatient hospitalization, complex medical procedures and emergency care. Today there are more than 700 international providers participating in AGB’s direct pay community in more than 100 countries.

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.7 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, and government-sponsored plans in the U.S. and internationally. Aetna’s international businesses include Aetna Global Benefits, Aetna’s expatriate benefits division that focuses on providing comprehensive solutions to employees working, traveling and living in over 100 countries. www.aetna.com