Pathology of Accreditation in North Hospitals of Iran: A Qualitative Research

Hospitals are the most important and largest institution in each country's health system which health care services are carried out on a large scale. One of the most important processes to improve the quality of health services is accreditation in the country. This study aimed to identify challenges, obstacles and providing solutions in hospital accreditation. This research is a qualitative one which conducted using content analysis approach in the north of the country in 2017. Twenty-five people consisted of two heads of hospitals, three hospital managers, three matrons, four supervisors, ten nurses, three people responsible for accreditation selected as contributors to the study using a targeted sampling approach. After the interview with Maxqda software, coding was performed and necessary analysis was carried out. In order to obtain data validity, two methods of reviewing the participants and reviewing experts were used. Analyzed data was categorized in the 98 initial codes, 16 concepts and 5 main categories. The main issues included resource challenges, organizational challenges, technical challenges, negative consequences and solutions. Pathology helps the organization to focus on problems and by collecting and analyzing data and identifying risky spots, managers and planners will find methods to develop and solve the problem. Particularly, the correct implementation of the accreditation process can lead to comprehensive clinical excellence.