What is NABH?

   Hospitals and healthcare organizations should ensure that patients, staff, and other stakeholders are safe. The government, NGOs, insurance agencies, professional organizations, and patients are concerned about the quality and safety of healthcare services.
   The Quality Council of India (QCI) established NABH to provide accreditation services to healthcare organizations. NABH full form in medical is National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers.
   Its primary objective is to promote continuous improvement and patient safety in healthcare systems. Additionally, NABH provides international recognition to accredited hospitals and promotes medical tourism in the country.

What is NABH Accreditation?

   The NABH hospital accreditation program was launched in 2005 to enhance the quality of healthcare and safety for patients in both public and private hospitals. The program has since grown and gained international recognition, with standards equivalent to other global healthcare accreditation programs.
   NABH accreditation is a seal of approval that signifies that a healthcare provider has met certain quality and safety standards in its services, infrastructure, and management.
   This voluntary accreditation helps patients make informed choices while selecting a healthcare provider. It also promotes continuous improvement in healthcare services to strive for continuous excellence.

Key Features of NABH Accreditation

   NABH Accreditation is a certificate that healthcare providers can earn by meeting certain quality standards. It helps them identify areas to improve while giving patients the needed information to choose the best healthcare provider.
The key features of NABH Certification are:

Benefits of NABH Accreditation for Patients Patient-Centred: Patients are the primary focus and benefit most from NABH Accreditation.

High-Quality Care: Accreditation requires healthcare providers to follow standardised processes and best practices. It ensures consistent and high-quality care delivery and reduces the risk of errors or adverse events. Patient Safety: This includes specific risk management and patient safety standards. Healthcare providers identify and mitigate risks, improving overall patient and staff safety.

Protected Rights: Patients' rights are protected by assisting them in making informed decisions about their care. Patient Satisfaction: The NABH-accredited healthcare organisation regularly evaluates patient satisfaction, which helps improve the healthcare management standard.

NABH Accreditation Process

   The process of NABH accreditation can be lengthy and demanding, but it is a prestigious recognition. It helps healthcare providers stand out in a competitive market. The NABH Accreditation process is as follows:

1)Application for Accreditation: To apply for NABH accreditation, a healthcare organization (HCO) must submit an application form and pay an application fee, providing accurate information about their services and other necessary details. Registration of Application: After the NABH Secretariat receives the completed application form, necessary documents, and fees from the HCO, they will acknowledge the receipt of the application.
2)Appointment of Principal Assessor: The primary assessor is responsible for both the pre-assessment and on-site assessment of the HCO and will have overall responsibility for conducting the evaluation.
3)Pre-Assessment: The HCO must conduct a self-assessment and internal audit to ensure its readiness before the pre-assessment. This must be completed within three months of applying.
4)Assessment: After the HCO has addressed any deficiencies, NABH will propose an assessment team for the final assessment, which must be completed within six months of the pre-assessment visit.
5)Scrutiny of Assessment Report: NABH will review the assessment report and communicate the results to the HCO, ensuring that any non-conformities raised by the assessment team are available to and understood by the HCO.
6)Accreditation Committee: Once the HCO has taken satisfactory corrective action, the NABH officer will prepare a summary of all relevant information gathered during the application processing, assessment report, and any additional information provided by the HCO.
7)Issue of Accreditation Certificate: If the recommendation for accreditation is approved, the NABH officer will issue the accreditation certificate to the organization.