Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) in Bucaramanga has become the first hospital in Colombia and South America to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
Established in 2011, the network includes approximately 45 member organisations in the US, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Membership is granted following a comprehensive evaluation of clinical and business practices, as well as the safety, quality, and service efforts of each institution.
HIC and other network members still maintain their independence.
HIC-FCV president Dr Víctor Raúl Castillo Mantilla said: “The agreement with Mayo Clinic represents a significant achievement, not only for our institution but also for Colombia and the entire region. This milestone is the result of more than a year of continuous work, and today, we are proud to announce that we are part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
“We take on the responsibility of evolving our care model by progressively incorporating its guidelines into our clinical protocols, workforce training, and safety standards.”
The move aims to enhance HIC's cardiology and oncology capabilities, improve medical training, and elevate the overall quality of care.
A key initiative involves a detailed review of HIC's breast cancer care by Mayo Clinic, which will provide guidance on diagnostics, clinical protocols, and quality assurance.
HIC physicians will gain access to Mayo Clinic's clinical tools and services, such as AskMayoExpert, eBoards, and Healthcare Consulting.
AskMayoExpert is a point-of-care tool that provides concise medical data and treatment recommendations. eBoards facilitate live discussions of complex cases with Mayo Clinic experts.
Healthcare Consulting offers insights to achieve clinical, operational, and business objectives.
In addition, Mayo Clinic's patient education materials and continuing medical education and professional development opportunities will benefit HIC staff.
They will also have access to an online database of Mayo Clinic-verified medical information.
