Various accreditation bodies have certain benchmarks for safety parameters to be maintained by healthcare organizations but, whether the main focus of ensuring those safety measures is being maintained throughout its service period or it is just the achievement of an award or certificate for meeting the bear minimum standards laid down by the accreditation bodies?
The recent episode of AMRI hospital, Dhakuria, Kolkata has urged all of us to think if the accredited hospitals are safe for public and its employees or these accreditations are just an eye wash for all of us? The hospital claims to be accredited by NABH and still failed to manage the disaster that took place due to the fire in their hospital. Certainly, it raises many questions. Is accreditation of hospital just a tool for positioning your hospital in the market or it is an instrument used for maintaining certain safety parameters and standards as well? Sometimes, with such episodes like AMRI, Kolkota, our questions might be left unanswered.
The hospitals these days aim to get maximum accreditations to their credit but how is it perceived by the management is important. Just a mere certification does not ensure patient safety and quality unless it is taken with full responsibility and commitment. Many hospitals envisage accreditations for attracting more foreign patients and use it as a tool for growing their business instead of ensuring safe environment and continuously reducing the risk to patients and staff.
Read more about Hospital Safety Guide for Patient by Dr Prem
http://drprem.com/hospital-accreditation-quality/
http://drprem.com/safety-security-of-hospital/