Development of a National Accreditation Model in Specialized Clinics of Hospitals

Accreditation is an important field in health services evaluation that helps health care organizations to gain acceptable situation in performance indicators. The purpose of this system is making a framework for continuous quality improvement to meet health system goals. This study aimed to design an evidence-based national accreditation model for specialized clinics of hospitals.

This descriptive study was conducted from 2009 to 2011. Following a systematic literature review in the SID، Ovid Medline، and PubMed databases using relevant key words، several accreditation models and related standards were extracted. All relevant standards were used to develop a Delphi questionnaire to gain experts opinions. Experts assessed and scored all standards based on two aspects of ‘Importance’ and ‘performance’.

In the systematic review phase، the JCAHO (USA) and CCHSA (Canada) accreditation models were chosen as the best models to benchmark. The Lebanon and Egypt accreditation models were also chosen as the best local (EMRO region) models. Related standards in the selected models were determined and used in our Delphi questionnaire with further standards obtained from the health services management text books. Two rounds Delphi study was done with high response rate. About 68 standards were accepted and 5 standards were rejected. Finally، the designed model was completed by merging similar standards، developing and debriefing essential elements of each standard.

The final designed model had 38 standards with ‘content statement’ and ‘objective measurable components’. This model could be a comprehensive accreditation model in number، range and diversion of the standards. There is no doubt that application of this model might led to significant improvement in health centers performance and clients’ satisfaction.