A Healthy Passport to the 2008 Olympic Games

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

Ken Powers, Media Relations Manager of Joint Commission International,
+1-630-792-5175, kpowers@jointcommission.org