TREVOSE, Pa., Jan. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- International SOS, the world's leading medical and travel security risk services company, has been awarded the ISO/TS 13131:2014 certification, for the high standards of its TeleHealth services. This is the second consecutive year International SOS has achieved this benchmark. Awarded by BSI (British Standards Institution), the scheme was launched last year and sets out quality criteria for the delivery of telehealth services. The BSI auditor assessed remote medical assistance, clinical governance and quality management protocols, the ability to meet legal requirements and to protect patient data.
Maureen Sumner Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Europe, BSI group, said: "These guidelines were introduced due to rapid growth in the telehealth industry and to ensure that providers deliver consistent, quality remote medical assistance. Organizations have a duty of care to their employees and must make sure that they are receiving the safest level of healthcare. By achieving certification of compliance to ISO/TS 13131, International SOS has demonstrated best practice in its telehealth services and we would encourage other providers of healthcare from a distance to do the same."
Neil Nerwich, Group Medical Director of Assistance at International SOS, said, "We know that our TeleHealth service is vitally important to our clients and their mobile workers, and take pride in delivering a high quality service, both medically and technically. When delivered to a high standard, telehealth can save significant amounts of time and assist in business continuity, while helping employees by ensuring that they have access to timely and accurate medical assistance whenever and wherever they need it.
TeleHealth is part of our industry leading medical and travel security risk mitigation services, enabling organizations to ensure the health and wellbeing of their mobile workforce. We invest heavily in quality programs and this certification recognizes our industry leadership in developing and deploying market-leading, secure technological solutions coupled with the high standard of medical services across our platform.
International SOS has provided remote medical services since 1985. The global TeleHealth services platform provides medical information, advice and referrals around the clock to clients travelling or working abroad and managed 4.6m calls globally through its Assistance Centres in 2015. The integrated solution also provides immediate access to security experts for real time information and advice.
In addition to certification in accordance to the guidelines provided in ISO/TS 13131, International SOS has achieved global certification to ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems for its Assistance Centers, International SOS clinics and Medical Services.
For more information about International SOS TeleHealth services, click here.
About BSI: BSI (British Standards Institution) is the business standards company that equips businesses with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. Formed in 1901, BSI was the world's first National Standards Body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Over a century later it continues to facilitate business improvement across the globe by helping its clients drive performance, manage risk and grow sustainably through the adoption of international management systems standards, many of which BSI originated. Renowned for its marks of excellence including the consumer recognized BSI Kitemark™, BSI's influence spans multiple sectors including aerospace, automotive, built environment, food, healthcare and ICT. With over 80,000 clients in 182 countries, BSI is an organization whose standards inspire excellence across the globe. To learn more, please visit www.bsigroup.com
About International SOS: International SOS (internationalsos.com) is the world's leading medical and travel security risk services company. We care for clients across the globe, from more than 1,000 locations in 90 countries. Our expertise is unique: more than 11,000 employees are led by 1,400 doctors and 200 security specialists. Teams work night and day to protect our members. We pioneer a range of preventative programs strengthened by our in-country expertise. We deliver unrivalled emergency assistance during critical illness, accident or civil unrest. We are passionate about helping clients put Duty of Care into practice. With us, multinational corporate client, governments and NGOs can mitigate risk for their people working remotely or overseas.
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Maureen Sumner Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Europe, BSI group, said: "These guidelines were introduced due to rapid growth in the telehealth industry and to ensure that providers deliver consistent, quality remote medical assistance. Organizations have a duty of care to their employees and must make sure that they are receiving the safest level of healthcare. By achieving certification of compliance to ISO/TS 13131, International SOS has demonstrated best practice in its telehealth services and we would encourage other providers of healthcare from a distance to do the same."
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Neil Nerwich, Group Medical Director of Assistance at International SOS, said, "We know that our TeleHealth service is vitally important to our clients and their mobile workers, and take pride in delivering a high quality service, both medically and technically. When delivered to a high standard, telehealth can save significant amounts of time and assist in business continuity, while helping employees by ensuring that they have access to timely and accurate medical assistance whenever and wherever they need it.
TeleHealth is part of our industry leading medical and travel security risk mitigation services, enabling organizations to ensure the health and wellbeing of their mobile workforce. We invest heavily in quality programs and this certification recognizes our industry leadership in developing and deploying market-leading, secure technological solutions coupled with the high standard of medical services across our platform.
International SOS has provided remote medical services since 1985. The global TeleHealth services platform provides medical information, advice and referrals around the clock to clients travelling or working abroad and managed 4.6m calls globally through its Assistance Centres in 2015. The integrated solution also provides immediate access to security experts for real time information and advice.
In addition to certification in accordance to the guidelines provided in ISO/TS 13131, International SOS has achieved global certification to ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems for its Assistance Centers, International SOS clinics and Medical Services.
For more information about International SOS TeleHealth services, click here.
About BSI: BSI (British Standards Institution) is the business standards company that equips businesses with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. Formed in 1901, BSI was the world's first National Standards Body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Over a century later it continues to facilitate business improvement across the globe by helping its clients drive performance, manage risk and grow sustainably through the adoption of international management systems standards, many of which BSI originated. Renowned for its marks of excellence including the consumer recognized BSI Kitemark™, BSI's influence spans multiple sectors including aerospace, automotive, built environment, food, healthcare and ICT. With over 80,000 clients in 182 countries, BSI is an organization whose standards inspire excellence across the globe. To learn more, please visit www.bsigroup.com
About International SOS: International SOS (internationalsos.com) is the world's leading medical and travel security risk services company. We care for clients across the globe, from more than 1,000 locations in 90 countries. Our expertise is unique: more than 11,000 employees are led by 1,400 doctors and 200 security specialists. Teams work night and day to protect our members. We pioneer a range of preventative programs strengthened by our in-country expertise. We deliver unrivalled emergency assistance during critical illness, accident or civil unrest. We are passionate about helping clients put Duty of Care into practice. With us, multinational corporate client, governments and NGOs can mitigate risk for their people working remotely or overseas.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-sos-telehealth-service-awarded-iso-certification-for-industry-leading-best-practice-300397826.html
SOURCE International SOS
