HIC earns the Joint Commission International Gold Seal for the sixth time: the highest international accreditation in healthcare

• Only nine institutions in Colombia hold this Gold Seal of quality. In Santander, the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) and its Cardiovascular Institute are the only ones to receive this recognition.

• The evaluation was conducted by international experts who assessed compliance with over 1,300 standards, covering key aspects such as patient safety, continuous improvement, and person-centered care.

• This accreditation is a symbol of trust, certifying the quality and safety of the services provided by the institution.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, April 2025. The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) and its Cardiovascular Institute have once again reaffirmed their status as world-class medical institutions. Thanks to their unwavering commitment to patient safety, service excellence, and compliance with the most rigorous international standards, they have received the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for the sixth time.

This recognition, granted after a week-long, in-depth evaluation by a team of international experts, confirms the high standards and strict protocols followed by both institutions. With this achievement, HIC reinforces its mission to provide top-tier medical care, ensuring every patient and their family receives the very best for recovery and quality of life.

According to Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo, CEO and President of FCV, the JCI audit team highlighted the excellence of the services provided, issued only a few recommendations, and reported no non-conformities.

"This result reflects the progress and consolidation of our quality system, demonstrating that we're on the right path with a human-centered approach. Achieving this accreditation for the first time was a major challenge, but maintaining and renewing it every three years is even more demanding. Today, however, it has become part of our institutional culture," stated Dr. Castillo.

Measuring ourselves to keep evolving

Continuous evaluation enables the institution to identify areas for improvement and ensure the consistent implementation of best practices in healthcare delivery. As Dr. Castillo emphasized, "This is not just about earning a recognition — it's about continually challenging our processes, measuring our performance, and pushing ourselves to improve, so we can continue offering high-quality care. That's why this achievement is a shared source of pride."

It's worth noting that the HIC Cardiovascular Institute was the first hospital in Colombia and the ninth in Latin America to obtain this prestigious international accreditation in 2009. Today, among more than 80,000 hospitals worldwide, it remains part of the select group of fewer than 1,000 institutions accredited for meeting the highest standards of quality and safety.

Standards evaluated

Some of the most notable updates in the 8th edition of the JCI standards include measurable criteria for participation requirements; a new chapter on global health impact focused on sustainability; another on health technology, covering electronic medical records and cybersecurity; and a patient safety section promoting a non-punitive approach to managing sentinel events, encouraging learning from errors rather than penalizing healthcare professionals.

These standards ensure that accredited hospitals not only maintain high levels of quality, but also implement innovative and sustainable practices.

Looking ahead to new accreditations

The institution is currently preparing to pursue new certifications that will reinforce its commitment to excellence and well-being. These include Magnet, which recognizes hospitals for outstanding nursing standards; Planetree, which certifies the highest levels of patient-centered care; and Great Place to Work, a distinction awarded to top workplace environments. These accreditations will further strengthen the institution's leadership and global reputation.