Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients (JMIP)

Shonan Kamakura General Hospital has been accredited by Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients (JMIP). This is the first hospital to be accredited in Japan.

Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients (JMIP) is the accreditation system for acceptance of international patients. It is the accreditation system which has been established by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a part of a national project to promote smooth acceptance of international patients in order to provide medical service easily and safely. Japan medical education foundation general incorporated foundation evaluates neutrally and fairly the system for acceptance of international patient.

The survey is consisted of following five components.

1. Acceptance
2. Service for patients
3. Management of provision of medical service
4. Organizational frameworks and management
5. Activities for improvement

After the accreditation of Joint Commission International (JCI), increase of acceptance of international patients was expected. We decided to aim to JMIP accreditation to arrange a safe and easy environment for international patients. English and Chinese guide displays beside elevators are the part of the arrangements for the safe environment. Sign boards were changed to bilingual (Japanese/English). Documents such as explanation sheets, consent forms, and menu were translated into English. The procedure of request an interpreter was created, and cooperation method between each department for smooth response was determined.

However, it is necessary to clarify the problems by limited experience and improve continuously because JMIP accreditation does not mean we have perfect system. We need to have the constructed system, and the education or training about culture and language to all staff in order to prevent the gap of response because of patient's nationality, language, or religion.

International Medical Support Center which is located in the second floor is specified the acceptance of international patients. We organize information of international patients who come from inside/outside of Japan to prevent any confusion inside of the hospital, and inconvenience for patients in our community.

Therefore, we promote the activities in response to changing times to achieve the one of Tokushukai group's mission "Everyone receives equal medical treatment".

Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients website http://jmip.jme.or.jp/index.php?l=eng