Joint Commission International Offers Travel Tips for Those Cheering on Olympians in Beijing
OAK BROOK, Ill., July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Taking a few precautionary steps can help Americans visiting China for the 2008 Olympic Games go for the gold by avoiding health woes associated with international travel, according to Joint Commission International (JCI). JCI is the international arm of The Joint Commission, and accredits more than 170 hospitals worldwide.
"The adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is a good one to remember any time you're traveling abroad," says Karen H. Timmons, CEO, JCI. "By thinking ahead about potential health care needs and treatment options overseas, Americans can stay healthy and enjoy the Games."
Before leaving for the August 8-24 Olympics, it is important that patients speak with their doctor about the trip and about any specific health risks related to their medical history. This is especially important if a patient has a known condition. Travelers should also review their vaccination history to be sure they are up-to-date on routine shots such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), tetanus, polio, and meningitis. For patients over age 50, a flu shot may also be in order. Although there are no immunizations required to visit China, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies.
Other tips for patients from JCI that can make the difference between a health victory or defeat at the 2008 Games:
-- Order double your prescription medications to keep one in carry-on luggage and the other in checked luggage. Keep medications in their regular containers, if possible, and bring the prescription or a doctor's note.
-- Pack a supply of over-the-counter remedies, including drugs that treat motion sickness, headaches and diarrhea. Don't forget sunscreen and insect repellent.
-- Beware of traveler's diarrhea. A good rule for travelers is: Eat it only if you can cook it, boil it or peel it. If not, then avoid it. It's also important to drink bottled water only and make sure that milk products are pasteurized. If you get traveler's diarrhea, avoid dairy products and alcohol.
-- Bring important medical documents with you. This includes your health insurance card, a brief history of any chronic conditions such as diabetes, or past treatment for specific conditions or illnesses.
-- Make sure you're aware of your existing travel insurance travel policies, and bring copies of the policy with you. Travelers may also want to consider purchasing a supplemental policy for medical evacuations.
-- If you require medical care, find a JCI accredited facility. Beijing United Family Hospital is accredited by JCI and is near the Olympic venue. The address is #2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016 PR China. To contact the hospital, call +86(10) 5927 7000 or +86(10) 5927-7120 for emergencies, or visit http://www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com/en_index.asp.
-- Contact the hotel concierge, travel tour operator or U.S. Embassy if you need immediate help.
For more health information related to the 2008 Olympics, JCI recommends the following online resources.
-- JCI's Passport to Healthy Travel,
http://www.jcrinc.com/fpdf/JCRTravelBrochure-5-15-07.pdf
-- CDC's Health Information for Travelers to China, http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx
-- Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease: Traveling to China for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, http://www.cdc.gov/travel/sdarticle_mod.pdf
Joint Commission International (JCI) was established in 1997 as a division of Joint Commission Resources, Inc. (JCR), a private, not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission. Through international accreditation, consultation, publications and education programs, JCI extends The Joint Commission's mission worldwide by helping to improve the quality of patient care by assisting international health care organizations, public health agencies, health ministries and others evaluate, improve and demonstrate the quality of patient care and enhance patient safety in more than 60 countries.
SOURCE Joint Commission International
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