By Ron Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Medical Officer, Satori World Medical

Satori World Medical is a payer-supported, employer-sponsored, and consumer-choice medical tourism facilitator and global healthcare network.  We use the Joint Commission International (JCI) as a “gating” issue, and our Quality Assurance Program, assisted by our Medical Quality Advisory Board and Nurse Patient Advocacy Program, goes beyond this to ensure excellent patient outcomes and service at our International Centers of Excellence. 

JCI, the international arm of the Joint Commission Resources, was created in 1994, awarded its first international accreditation in 1999, and now has accredited over 300 institutions around the world.  In 2005 the World Health Organization designated the Joint Commission and the Joint Commission International as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Patient Safety Solutions, and in 2008 the JCI announced its accreditation by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). 

One of the reasons Satori uses JCI as a gating issue for quality and participation in our network is our focus on the financially sponsored (U.S.) patient.  U.S. payers are familiar with the Joint Commission and their standards and surveys.  Similarly, the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons are two of the largest and most influential physician organizations in the U.S., so when they independently came out with guidelines for medical travel, we were pleased that we already met or exceeded them.  U.S. payers know and trust the AMA and ACS on quality matters.  These are important guidelines, and Satori’s Quality Assurance Program adds on-site due diligence visits – to review JCI accreditation reports, hospital performance measures, physician credentials and outcomes, interview hospital management teams, and tour and evaluate clinical areas including the operating rooms – as well as our own proprietary medical travel and procedure eligibility guidelines, monitoring of quality and clinical outcomes and continuous quality improvement.

Working collaboratively with our comprehensive quality program, all network hospitals and physicians share in the common goal of excellent patient outcomes and services.

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Traveling for people with back or neck pain can be demanding. Cramped airplane seats, carrying heavy luggage and sitting for an extended period of time can all aggravate the pain. The following tips can help reduce back and neck discomfort while traveling.

1.    Lift with your legs

Always use your knees and leg muscles to lift heavy luggage, rather than your back muscles. Also, remember to distribute the weight of a bag evenly on both sides of your body to avoid strains.

2.    Bring a pillow

Bring a lumbar support pillow to make your cramped airplane seat more comfortable and to support your lower back. You can also pack an inflatable neck pillow to help avoid neck strain during sleep.

 3.    Pack light

Not only is a heavy bag a burden to carry around, but it can also strain back and neck muscles when lifting into overhead bins or into the trunk of a car. Make sure to pack light and for less hassle, check all your suitcases. If you decide to take a carryon item, bring a bag with wheels and a handle.

4.    Walk around the cabin

Sitting in the same position for a long time can cause stiffness and back pain. Try to walk up and down the aisles of the airplane every hour. Also, try these in-flight exercises to keep your blood flowing during the flight.

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

World Heart Day is globally held on the last Sunday of September each year to inform people about cardiovascular diseases, which are the biggest cause of death worldwide. Over 17 million people have died from cardiovascular diseases in 2005, representing 30 percent of all global deaths.

Compelling evidence indicates that the following strategies are effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases:

1. Do not smoke
2. Eat a heart-healthy diet, that limits fat and salt intake
3. Have an active lifestyle and keep a healthy weight
4. Limit alcohol intake to one to two drinks a day
5. Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly
6. Encourage stress-free moments at home and at work

Read further about how to reduce your risk of heart problems and about World Heart Day here.

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

This Sunday, September 26, is the 10 year anniversary of World Heart Day. World Heart Day was created to promote heart health and inform people around the world that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming more than 17 million lives each year. In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Heart Federation organizes events in 100 countries to spread awareness through health checkups, organized walks, and lectures.

Although major risk factors of heart disease such as family history and age are beyond control, there are a few key healthy steps you can adopt today to reduce your risk of heart problems.

1.  Do not smoke – Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease by 50 percent or more.
2. Eat a heart-healthy diet – Watch your fat and salt intake. Saturated and trans fat elevates the risk of coronary heart disease by raising blood cholesterol levels. Main sources of saturated fat include dairy products, animal fats, and oils. Sources of trans fat include deep-fried fast foods and packaged snack foods. High-sodium diets are also linked to an increase in blood pressure and a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. It is recommended to eat less than 1,500 mg of sodium a day.
3. Have an active lifestyle and keep a healthy weight – 30-60 minutes of physical activity a day can control weight and reduce blood pressure levels.
4. Limit alcohol intake – Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain and higher blood pressure. Limit yourself to one to two drinks a day.
5. Get regular checkups – Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury.
6. Encourage stress-free moments – High levels of stress can elevate blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Establish a regular sleep schedule, engage in relaxing activities, and take regular breaks during work hours.

Or as Dr. Jeffrey Williams says, “If you take care of your heart, it will take care of you.” Happy World Heart Day!

Dr. Jeffrey Williams specializes in Invasive/Interventional Cardiology and is a member of Satori’s Medical Quality Advisory Board, a team of expert board certified physicians who are recognized leaders in their sub-specialty field. Satori’s Medical Quality Advisory Board continuously monitors and evaluates clinical procedures and guidelines to ensure that Satori Global Network™ hospitals and physicians follow our established Standards of Excellence.

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

An estimated 46 million people in the United States have arthritis of some form. By the year 2020, this number is expected to reach 60 million. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Here are a few tips to maintain healthy joints and protect against injury and disease.

1.       Maintain a healthy weight

Carrying less weight will help reduce pressure on your knees, hips, and back and can help prevent joint injury.

2.       Be active

Sitting or standing for extended periods can cause joint stiffness. Engage in low impact exercises that raise your heart rate and reduce joint swelling – try yoga, swimming, walking, or bicycling. 

3.       Eat right

A diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D and Vitamin C can promote healthy joints and reduce pain and swelling. A good source of Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods such as salmon, flaxseed oil and walnuts. Many experts recommend taking supplemental Omega-3 for joint health. Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of collagen that supports joint tissue and can slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Excellent sources of Vitamin C are papayas, oranges, and brussel sprouts. Vitamin D helps build strong bones, which reduces stress on joints. Vitamin D-rich foods include pure cod liver oil, salmon and milk.

By Ron Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Medical Officer, Satori World Medical

 In 2008 and 2009 the American Medical Association (AMA) and American College of Surgeons (ACS) issued guidelines on medical tourism, the rapidly growing trend of traveling outside the US for medical care.  These guidelines were in favor of patient choice and focused on quality of care and patient safety.  Now the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) is advising patients who are seeking surgical care internationally to help them make informed decisions.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association of physicians organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.

Below are a few of the questions the ASA suggests asking before traveling abroad for surgical care and how Satori World Medical meets or exceeds these criteria.  For the complete list of questions, click here.

Are the physicians who will be performing the procedure licensed specifically for the procedure, and is the facility accredited by a reputable organization such as the Joint Commission International (JCI)?

Find out what professional memberships, training and qualifications the physicians hold (e.g., surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc.).  Choosing an accredited facility ensures that the hospital proved it met certain standards of care intended to keep patients safe.  While most hospitals feature this information on their Web sites, you can find those accredited by JCI at www.jointcommissioninternational.org.  You should also make sure to research mortality rates, infection rates and other performance measurements.

As a quality baseline or “gating” issue, Satori World Medical only contracts with international hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the international arm of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) that accredits all US hospitals and healthcare organizations.  JCI sets over 350 standards of excellence for international hospitals to meet that ensure the quality and safety of patient care.  Moreover, our network of International Centers of Excellence have leading-edge technology, departments designed to cater specifically to international patients, and teams of US/UK or equivalently trained and board certified physicians that are English speaking.

Have I considered working with a medical tourism company?

Medical tourism service providers can guide you through the process by doing everything from transferring your medical records, to coordinating your travel logistics.  It is critical that you research them carefully because, as is the case with hospitals, they can vary in quality of service.  As a first step, you should check with the hospital where you are having the procedure, as it likely has a dedicated medical tourism group.

While high-quality care is available at many hospitals around the world, not all medical travel programs offer the same level of quality.  Satori World Medical has a robust quality assurance program and a strong patient advocacy and support program in place.  Satori’s primary focus is providing access to the highest quality patient care.  Our company has developed a proprietary quality management system which includes ongoing quality audits as well as a Nurse Patient Advocacy Program.

Who will be traveling with me for this procedure?

A support group can play a significant role in the overall outcome and experience associated with having a medical procedure abroad. If possible, patients should identify a family member or friend who can accompany them.  In addition to ensuring patients are receiving the best care possible, they can also play a motivational role, which can make the experience more comfortable and decrease recovery times.

Fundamental to Satori’s Business & Care Model is the belief that a companion should accompany the patient while traveling internationally for medical care, enhancing the ease of their trip, comfort, and quality of life while abroad.  Satori’s innovative model includes the cost of hotel and travel accommodations for the patient’s companion.

By Ron Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Medical Officer, Satori World Medical

David G. Jaimovich, M.D. is the President and Founder of Quality Resources International, the former Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for International Accreditation Services for Joint Commission Resources (JCR) and Joint Commission International (JCI), and a member of the Medical Quality Advisory Board of Satori World Medical.  I recently interviewed Dr. Jaimovich about his role at JCI, his new company and international quality in general.

Satori:  How is your role at Quality Resources International different from your work at JCI?

Dr. Jaimovich:  At JCI I was in charge of International Accreditation: surveying against standards of quality and patient safety.  JCI Standards address key issues relevant to medical travel, including evidence of quality and professional competence, and accreditation provides objective validation and serves as a benchmark, assisting patients in medical travel decision-making.  I am now involved in consulting, developing quality and performance improvement programs and patient safety initiatives as they relate to accreditation and improving the safety of patients in the hospital setting.  It is a more creative role, going beyond meeting standards to continuous improvement in quality and safety.

Satori:  Tell us about Quality Resources International.

Dr. Jaimovich:  Our mission is to collaborate with the healthcare community around the world, to help public and private entities improve the quality and safety of health services through education, consultation, technical assistance, practical tools and guidance.  We provide advisory services to Ministries of Health, we prepare organizations for accreditation, and we provide quality management information systems to evaluate the success of interventional changes, to show continuous improvement.  That is a big issue: sustainability of improvements.  We are also developing a fundamental framework for healthcare quality: this is a distillation of the fundamental elements of the standards from JCI and other national accrediting organizations, such as Trent, Accreditation Canada and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Satori:  You have travelled widely, been involved with the evaluation of many hospitals and other healthcare organizations worldwide.  What is your view of the level of patient care – quality and safety – at the best international healthcare facilities, such as Satori World Medical’s International Centers of Excellence – and would you be comfortable receiving care at these facilities yourself? 

Dr. Jaimovich:  Quality and safety are now front and center for many hospitals and healthcare systems around the world.  There is a tremendous drive, a “tsunami” of quality and safety.  US hospitals have been doing this for a long time, there has been a plateau for some.  International facilities are on a steep curve, a big push coming from the World Health Organization, Ministries of Health – and Tourism -, payers, and multinational companies.  For myself, I would have no reservations about having surgery or other care at international facilities that meet high quality and safety standards, have transparent validated results and who have been accredited by an international accrediting organization.

Satori:  Thank you Dr. Jaimovich.  More information about Dr. Jaimovich and Quality Resources International is available at www.qrintl.com  More about Satori World Medical is available at www.satoriworldmedical.com.

By Ron Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Medical Officer, Satori World Medical

Recent news reports show increasing interest in medical tourism, or medical travel – but not just for uninsured patients seeking lower-cost care abroad. Several major US health insurance companies have started pilot projects offering medical travel, and others are considering it. Skyrocketing health care costs in the US has driven some of this interest. But is that the only reason?

I talked with Dr. Charles Cutler, who recently retired as the Chief Medical Director of National Accounts at Aetna, who developed a pilot international medical tourism program for Aetna, and who has joined the Medical Quality Advisory Board of Satori World Medical, the leader in Global Health Care Networks.

“The main reason is cost-savings for self-insured customers, such as Maine-based Hannaford Co. The benefits department of this multi-national corporation became aware of the cost differences in international care and a program was launched to send patients overseas for major elective surgery,” explained Dr. Cutler. Another reason is “disruptive market force” – as with the Hannaford program, faced with international prices, local hospitals lowered their prices. Dr. Cutler mentions a third reason: cultural issues. A large part of the US workforce is from a Mexican background; there are also large Asian Indian, Filipino and other nationalities. When faced with major elective surgery, they may wish to travel to their “home” country for care.

What are the challenges for US insurers going global? Just as with US providers, due diligence around the quality of the international institutions and physicians is important. Dr. Cutler says that “with something new, with financial incentives, there needs to be quality that is equal or better than the US. It’s just not feasible for health plans to do that due diligence, with the costs, extensive site visits, coordination of all the travel and other arrangements. It’s more cost-effective to have an organization perform those tasks, like Satori World Medical. It is more cost-effective to have Satori negotiate contracts, make travel arrangements, perform the due diligence to rigorous quality standards – including extensive site visits, to see that international hospitals meet or surpass US standards.

“It is important to see the facilities and experience the overall process if you are sending someone there” says Dr. Cutler. “The facilities need to meet US standards, have English-speaking staff and meet the expectations of US patients and companions.” Also, Satori is able to offer unique financial benefits through its Health and Shared Wealth Program.

Aside from the operational and logistical challenges – site visits, getting quality data from the hospitals, etc. – what are Satori’s challenges? Dr. Cutler: “There are some regulatory and legal issues, particularly with fully-insured plans. But the real challenge is working with the plans to overcome their objections: selling the concept.” That is becoming less of a challenge, as health care is commoditized, part of the global economy and everyone, including insurers, is becoming more comfortable with international health care.

The benefits are there: quality, service, cost-savings, “disruptive” competition, increased patient choice, cultural affinity – so interest in medical travel by US insurers will continue. And Satori World Medical is here to help.

Click Here to download the mp3 audio.

by, Satori World Medical

Last week, Satori World Medical’s President & CEO Steven Lash and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ron Johnson, as well as Jessica, a patient who underwent a surgical procedure through the Satori Global Network™ in February, were featured in a Newsweek article on medical tourism, entitled “Medical Tourism Appeals to 60 Percent of Americans. Are You One of Them?”

The article written by Johannah Cornblatt discusses why global healthcare is continuing to gain appeal among a larger population of Americans in search of high-quality, affordable healthcare options. It also offers expert opinions on some of the key considerations Americans have when exploring this option for their healthcare.

Jessica, a 26-year-old woman from San Diego, spoke about her experience of traveling to Costa Rica through the Satori World Medical program to undergo a procedure related to weight loss. She explained that even with health insurance, the procedure would have cost her thousands of dollars out of her own pocket had she gone to a hospital in San Diego. Alternatively, by choosing to undergo her surgery through the Satori Global Network™ in Sán Jose, Costa Rica, Jessica said she was able to save $7,500 on her procedure, including all hospital fees, travel and hotel expenses for both herself and her mother, who accompanied her.

Dr. Johnson also then commented on how significant the cost savings of global healthcare really are, particularly for common, high-cost surgical procedures that often require a patient to stay in a hospital for at least 7-10 days. For example, he said, “the average cost of heart surgery is $50,000 in the U.S., versus $10,000 to $20,000 in other countries.”

But beyond the cost savings, what are other reasons why more Americans are participating in medical travel programs and what are the common reservations that some authorities and patients still have about global healthcare?

One of factors the industry is seeing is the growing number of employers offering a medical travel benefit package to their employees. Karen Timmons, President and CEO of Joint Commission International (JCI), a nonprofit that has accredited more than 250 hospitals in 36 countries, told Newsweek readers that Americans who are underinsured are more likely to go abroad for surgery than those who are not insured at all. “That’s because insurance companies will typically cover some portion of the cost for underinsured patients while uninsured patients, who also tend to make less money, have a harder time coming up with enough cash to cover the procedure, the flights, and a hotel room on their own,” she explained.

Of course, there are certain risks that patients need to consider when choosing to undergo surgery in a foreign hospital. Dr. T. Forcht Dagi, co-chair of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Perioperative Care, commented that Americans should not confuse cost with value.

In response to Dagi’s point, it’s important to recognize that the quality of care available internationally rivals some of the most, well-respected U.S. hospitals. In fact, many international hospitals are affiliated with top medical universities and hospitals, such as Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical.

That is why it is highly recommended, as well, for employers that do offer global healthcare benefit plans to their employees to only contract with a reputable medical travel company, such as Satori World Medical, which offer an integrated medical benefit program that ensures the highest-quality care for its patients.

Dagi also emphasized the importance of follow-up care. In general, patients should think about follow-up care before they cross borders, he said. “Find out what your responsibility will be in the U.S. afterwards. Who is going to take care of a complication if God forbid, there is one?” Satori World Medical ensures that all follow-up care is arranged for the patient before he or she even leaves the country, and its all-inclusive benefit program includes a Personal Accident Insurance Policy for the patient.

Finally, Cornblatt asked Nethersole, who is quoted in the article, if American interest in medical tourism will dwindle if national health care becomes a reality in this country? She said no. Industry experts share the consensus that medical travel is here to stay.