A hospital isn't just a building; it is a place where individuals and families seek advice and comfort, and the occasional miracle. Above all, it is a place where excellence is the minimum expectation and where a mistake can change your life in a heartbeat.

Accreditation is a strategic business tool that helps hospitals live up to, and surpass, these expectations. Requirements for accreditation vary from nation to nation. Whether mandated by law, or embraced voluntarily to build prestige, accreditation is a valuable asset to any hospital.

The requirements of the DNV - International Healthcare Accreditation are based upon those in our NIAHO® standards that have been approved by the US Government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).The International requirements have been adapted so as to have applicability internationally, with sensitivity to local laws, practices and regulations, and have been accredited by ISQua. Our approach integrates proven quality and risk management principles with specific clinical and physical environment requirements.

Our accreditation program is designed to support the development and continual improvement of healthcare quality and patient safety in healthcare organisations. It also addresses general safety for workers, patients and other visitors. Our surveys provide insight and understanding of what is working effectively and what can be improved, and the accreditation provides assurance to your patients, staff and stakeholders that your hospital is working to international best practices.

The benefits

Our accreditation requirements provide healthcare organisations with a clear framework for the improvement of patient safety and quality of care in a language that healthcare workers intuitively understand. Our accreditation program employs surveyor teams that combine international experience with local knowledge, providing a supportive and objective third party assessment of your systems, processes and facilities.

Our management systems approach makes accreditation against the standard a tool for identifying goals and implementing change at every level of your organisation, and experience shows that it delivers:

• Improved patient safety and quality of care
• Increased management confidence and assurance
• Active identification of areas for improvement
• Enhanced reputation and trust
• Improved staff satisfaction and motivation

Our approach

Our requirements cover key aspects of organisational governance and clinical care, including:

• Quality management system and governance
• Pro-active Risk management
• Higher risk services such as anesthesia, obstetrics and ER
• Medication management
• Patient rights
• Physical environment
• Our accreditation standards have been developed for the following types of healthcare organisations:
• Hospitals
• Primary Care Providers
• Specialist Outpatient Clinics

All our surveyors have a healthcare background and specialize in one of three areas: management systems, clinical care or the physical environment. Our surveyors employ a variety of methods for assessment, including staff interviews, medical record review, organisational document review, building and offsite visits, and patient interviews and feedback.