Patients face unique challenges when seeking care in a different country or region. There may be fear of the unknown, long flights, cultural and language barriers, and being away from friends and family - all while preparing for a major surgery or treatment.

Picture yourself arriving at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui. The sun is dipping beneath a flaming horizon as you hand the valet your car keys and step into plush hotel lobby framed by a majestic turquoise sea. As you stroll across a terracotta tile floor towards the reception area you can’t help but feel invigorated by the sights, scents, and sounds of this luxurious tropical paradise.

On June 13th GHA Surveyor Carol Gilmore participated as a featured speaker 2nd International Medical Tourism Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, organized by Argentina’s Ministry of Tourism. Carol spoke on “Accreditation in Medical Travel,” and received much positive feedback from attendees. Congratulations to Carol on her participation!

We are pleased to announce that on May 17th, GHA Surveyor Joseph Williamson participated as a speaker at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Private Health Conference in Barcelona, Spain.

Director of Business Development and Surveyor Bill Cook will be heading to Baja California in Mexico July 26-28 to participate as a speaker and panelist in an event that seeks to promote the health and wellness offering of this scenic region.

Karen Timmons, CEO of Global Healthcare Accreditation and Dr. Paul Van Ostenberg, Chairman of the Standards Committee departed June 13th for a 10 day whirlwind business tour of several APAC countries including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Karen Timmons, CEO of GHA and Dr. Paul Van Ostenberg, Chaiman of the Standards Committee with Noor Hafizan Moad Noor, Corporate Manager, KPJ Hospital, Rafeah Ariffin, Senior general Manager, KPJ Hospital and Esther Law of Excellence Medicare in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. June 16th, 2017.

Karen Timmons, CEO of GHA and Dr. Paul Van Ostenberg, Chaiman of the Standards Committee and Esther Law of Excellence Medicare with Dolly Lim and Doreen Loh, of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. June 16th, 2017.

GHA's Karen Timmons, Dr. Paul Van Ostenberg and Somporn Kumphong meeting with International Health Division at Thailand’s Ministry of Health (above). June 20th, 2017.

A flutter of the drapes causes you to stir, bringing into focus a rippling of light and shadow along a mahogany paneled wall. Your eyes drift across the lavish décor of your suite and slowly come to rest on a crumpled mass of pale green sheets lying on a futon couch nearby. Almost immediately the cheerful hum of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons fills the room, followed by the soft patter of footsteps.

The Global Health Accreditation® (GHA) Program, the first independent accrediting body focused on medical travel services and the medical travel patient experience, today announces its team of surveyors responsible for the onsite evaluation of healthcare facilities seeking Global Healthcare Accreditation.

When reviewing the growing importance of the patient experience over the past 20 years in healthcare, one finds a number of influential factors. Around the world, healthcare consumers are becoming more savvy, payers are demanding high quality care, and research groups have found more and more convincing evidence as to why the ability to prioritize and manage the patient experience is so important to a positive overall healthcare experience.

There is a perception that ethical issues most commonly arise at the limits of medical care. For example, deciding whether or not to take someone off life support or making a decision about continuing treatment for someone with a terminal condition.

The sight of a 69-year-old physician being physically assaulted and dragged off a United Airlines flight recently took social media by storm, with United’s terse response in the immediate aftermath roundly criticized.

Around the world, healthcare consumers are becoming more savvy, payers are demanding high-quality care, and research groups have found more and more convincing evidence as to why the ability to prioritize and manage the patient experience is so important to a positive overall healthcare experience.

Mary Miller Sallah, Chief Quality Officer/Surveyor, Stephen Shearer, Surveyor and Somporn Kumphong, GHA regional representative, at Bumrungrad International Hospital with participants, during the first day of a 2-day workshop. August 7-8, 2017.

atients often judge the quality of a provider’s medical services based on their perceptions of a hospital’s physical environment. Walk into a hospital with stained walls and trash scattered along the floors and you’re likely to do a one eighty and head back out the door.

The latest issue of International Hospitals & Medical Travel Magazine features an indepth interview with Karen Timmons, Chairman Emeritus and Former CEO of GHA

Dialing the phone number on her screen, Naomi feels a surge of excitement as her mind races with possibilities. Looks of wonder from her family, compliments from co-workers; actually enjoying the thought of passing in front of a mirror, and best of all, her health would improve and she would finally be able to spend time outdoors with her two kids.