The inaugural program recognizes excellence in patient safety and healthcare quality for organizations outside the US. Nominations are being accepted through June 8.
Joint Commission International (JCI) launched the nomination process for its inaugural JCI Global Patient Safety Awards. The program aims to recognize international excellence in patient safety and healthcare quality efforts while stimulating global knowledge sharing and learning.
Nominations are being accepted through June 8, 2026. The awards focus on elevating patient safety practices outside the US for two primary audiences: healthcare organizations providing patient care and national health authorities or ministries of health that have implemented safety initiatives at a system, regional, or national level. Eligible healthcare providers include hospitals, health systems, ambulatory centers, rural facilities, and academic centers.
Evaluation of submissions will be based on implementation, resource burden, novelty, impact, transferability, and scalability. JCI accreditation is not a requirement for eligibility, though all submitted practices must be actionable and measurable in real-world clinical settings.
“The JCI Global Patient Safety Awards align closely with our ongoing mission to elevate healthcare quality and safety worldwide,” says Jonathan B Perlin, MD, PhD, president and CEO, Joint Commission Enterprise, in a release. “These awards are designed to spotlight organizations and health authorities globally whose commitment to patient safety is commendable and also replicable across other regions and resource settings.”
According to JCI, the program will celebrate measurable improvements in patient outcomes and adaptable solutions. By publishing and distributing best practices from the winners, the organization aims to spark progress and accelerate improvements for patients globally.
“Recognition plays an important role in sustaining momentum,” says Neelam Dhingra, MD, MBBS, vice president and global chief patient safety officer, JCI, in a release. “ … What often stands in the way to improving patient safety is access to knowledge, proven practices, and resources. These awards are designed to celebrate innovation, but more importantly they are designed to offer a framework for gathering and sharing leading practices that all can learn from.”
The winners will be honored at the Joint Commission UNIFY 2026 conference, scheduled for Sept 30 through Oct 1, 2026, in Washington, DC. Healthcare organizations and national health authorities outside the US are eligible to apply for the awards at no cost.
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