Joint Commission International (JCI) has opened an Asia Pacific office located in Singapore. The new office, located at 50 Raffles Place, will permit JCI to better support the needs of Asia Pacific clients, and improve coordination of JCI quality and patient safety initiatives with Ministries of Health, professional societies and other significant stakeholders within the Asia Pacific region.

The office opening coincides with JCI's presence as a Strategic Corporate Partner at the 5th annual Hospital Management Asia (HMA), held in Singapore on August 29 & 30, 2006. JCI hosted a pre-conference workshop on JCI Accreditation Essentials on August 28.

JCI has ongoing projects in more than 80 countries around the world and provides services to over 31 organizations in Asia Pacific. As such, the Commission works with international health care organizations, public health agencies, regional health ministries, governmental agencies and others to evaluate and improve the quality and safety of patient care in their nations.

"Our commitment to safe, high-quality health care has always been on a global level and the new office will help us participate and respond as a trusted partner in further advancing that mission within the Asia Pacific community," says Karen H. Timmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, JCI.

The Ministry of Health, Singapore, welcomed the opening of JCI's Asia Pacific office in Singapore and the opportunities this affords for advancing patient safety, quality improvement, standards, and research in health care. According to Philip Yeo, Chairman for the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore, "JCI sets the gold standard for patient safety and care. Its accreditation is well recognized and sought after by hospitals around the world."

Paul vanOstenberg, DDS, MS, formerly the Managing Director of JCI's European Office and Executive Director of International Accreditation for JCI, will now serve as Managing Director of the new office. In this role, Dr. vanOstenberg will further the development of relationships with Asia Pacific health care organizations and work with regional Ministries of Health, other governmental agencies, NGOs, hospitals, laboratories, home care agencies and other health care organizations in their efforts to reduce risk and improve health outcomes.