The Medical City Clark, a premier healthcare institution located at the Clark Freeport Zone, has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification. ISO 9001:2015 is the world’s most widely recognized quality management standard. This standard and certification was selected specifically to validate TMC Clark’s commitment to deliver quality healthcare to ensure customer satisfaction.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 is the world’s most popular and commonly used standard for Quality Management Systems. It is an international consensus on good management practice and it focuses on meeting customer requirements and other interested parties. It has distilled into standard requirements that covers any organization, whatever the size, industry or culture.
“To have achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification during this COVID-19 pandemic is a testament of our staff’s dedication and strict adherence to quality management systems and to go beyond our patients’ expectations,” said Dr. Almario Jabson, TMC Clark President and CEO. “This pandemic has taught us to always look out for best practices so that we will be able to provide quality care not only to COVID-19 patients but to non-COVID 19 patients as well.”
Stage 1 of the ISO audit was conducted virtually on October 22, 2020 without any major or minor non-conformance. An onsite audit was conducted on October 30, 2020 where the auditors verified documents that were sent to them earlier in the week. The audit focused more on patient traceability and experience.
Preparations for ISO 2001:1995 certification started as early as November 2019 with ISO trainings, workshops, orientations and documentations to start familiarizing TMC Clark staff about ISO. This lasted until January 2020 and by that time the hospital was able to identify internal auditors who ensured that the hospital was on track.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which were the months of February to April, hospital staff spent it reviewing policies and procedures and the revision of manuals. In September, the hospital conducted its First Internal Quality Audit where auditors highlighted the improvements and helped each department achieve an improved quality system.
There was also a management review of the audit, an assurance that the TMC Clark management supported the hospital’s journey towards quality service.
“It has been a very challenging time for all of us in the healthcare industry and we had to divide our time between preparing for ISO certification and taking care of our patients,” Dr. Jabson said. “Now that we have been able to achieve this, we are now more committed to improve our Quality Management Systems and prepare for Joint Commission International accreditation.”
