This document discusses quality and accreditation in hospitals in India. It provides information on: 1) What NABH is and its organizational structure, including its technical committee, accreditation committee, appeals committee and secretariat. 2) NABH's accreditation standards, which have 10 chapters covering 102 standards and 636 objectives. 3) The NABH accreditation process, including self-assessment, pre-assessment, final assessment, and the criteria hospitals are assessed against. 4) Consequences for hospitals like inactive status, shifting renewal dates, abeyance, suspension and withdrawal of accreditation if they do not meet requirements.

1. NABH
YANAMALA VIJAY RAJ
BT14M004
MTECH IN CLINICAL ENG
IIT MADRAS & CMC VELLORE & SCTIMST
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2. WHAT IS QUALITY
 The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the
degree of excellence of something.
 Meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of the patients
 Delivering all and only the care that the patient and family needs
 A doctor may say: “The kind of care that may relive the pain and suffering and restore
health to the best possible level”
 A patient may say, “The best possible treatment that is timely, safe and affordable,
and can restore his health to his earning capacity at the earliest”
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3. Quality
 Quality in Hospitals is all about meeting expectations of:
 Patients
 Statutory / Legal bodies
 Internal Customers
 Owners / Trust
 Others
 Third parties (NABH)
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4. Quality in Hospitals
 In India, Heath System currently operates within an environment of rapid social, economical and
technical changes. Such changes raise the concern for the quality of health care.
 Hospital is an integral part of health care system.
 Accreditation would be the single most important approach for improving the quality of hospitals.
 Accreditation is an incentive to improve capacity of national hospitals to provide quality of care
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5. What is NABH?
 National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a constituent board of
Quality Council of India (QCI), set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for
healthcare organizations.
 The board while being supported by all stakeholders including industry, consumers, government,
have full functional autonomy in its operation.
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6. ISQua (International Society for Quality in
HealthCare )
 ISQua is an international body which grants approval to Accreditation Bodies in the area of
healthcare as mark of equivalence of accreditation program of member countries.
 NABH is a member of ISQua Accreditation Council.
 NABH is an Institutional Member as well as a member of the Accreditation Council of the
International Society for Quality in HealthCare (ISQua).
 NABH is the founder member of proposed Asian Society for Quality in Healthcare (ASQua) being
registered in Malaysia.
 NABH is a member of International Steering Committee of WHO Collaborating Centre for Patient
Safety as a nominee of ISQua Accreditation Council
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7. BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION
 Benefits for Patients
 Biggest beneficiary
 High quality of care and patient safety
 Rights of patients
 Patients satisfaction
 Commitment to quality care
 Community confidence
 Benchmarking
 Benefits for Hospital Staff
 Staff satisfaction
 Improves overall professional development
 Benefits to paying and regulatory bodies
 Benefits for Hospitals
 CQI
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8. What are the programs being offered by
NABH?
 Currently, NABH is offering accreditation programs for Hospitals, Small Health Care
Organizations/Nursing Homes, Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, Oral Substitution Therapy
(OST) Centres and Primary and Secondary Health Centres.
 A couple of more programs such as Medical Imaging services, Dental Hospitals/Centres, AYUSH
Hospitals are being developed.
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9. Organizational structure of NABH
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10. Organizational structure of NABH
The main functions of Accreditation Committee are as follows:
 Recommending to board about grant of accreditation or otherwise based on evaluation of
assessment reports & other relevant information.
 Approval of the major changes in the Scope of Accreditation include enhancement and reduction,
in respect of accredited hospitals.
 Recommending to the board on launching of new initiatives
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Accreditation Committee

11. Organizational structure of NABH
The main functions of Technical Committee are as follows:
 Drafting of accreditation standards and guidance documents
 Periodic review of standards
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Technical Committee

12. Organizational structure of NABH
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Appeals Committee
The Appeal Committee addresses appeals made by the hospitals against
any adverse decision regarding accreditation taken by the NABH. The adverse decisions may relate to
the following:
 refusal to accept an application,
 refusal to proceed with an assessment,
 corrective action requests,
 changes in accreditation scope,
 decisions to deny, suspend or withdraw accreditation, and
 any other action that impedes the attainment of accreditation

13. Organizational structure of NABH
 The Secretariat coordinates the entire activities related to NABH Accreditation to hospitals and
healthcare organizations.
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NABH Secretariat

14. Organizational structure of NABH
Panel of Assessors and Experts NABH has a panel of trained and qualified
assessors for assessment of hospitals.
 Principal Assessor
The Principal Assessor is overall responsible for conducting the pre assessments and final assessments
of the hospitals.
 Assessors
NABH has empanelled experts for assessment of hospitals. They are trained by NABH on hospital
accreditation and various assessment techniques. The assessors are responsible for evaluating the
hospital’s compliance with NABH Standards
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15. NABH Standards
 NABH Standards for hospitals prepared by technical committee contains complete set of standards
for evaluation of hospitals for grant of accreditation.
 The standards provide framework for quality of care for patients and quality improvement for
hospitals.
 The standards help to build a quality culture at all level and across all the function of hospital.
 NABH Standards has ten chapters incorporating 102 standards and 636 objective
elements.
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16. Outline of NABH Standards
NABH has 10 Chapters, 102 Standards, 636 Objectives Elements
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Patient Centered Standards
• Access, Assessment and Continuity of Care
(AAC)
• Care of Patient (COP)
• Management of Medication (MOM)
• Patient Right and Education (PRE)
• Hospital Infection Control (HIC)
Organization Centered Standards
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
• Responsibility of Management (ROM)
• Facility Management and Safety (FMS)
• Human Resource Management (HRM)
• Information Management System(IMS)

17. NABH Standards
Patient Centered Standards
Chapters
Std
1. Access, Assessment and
Continuity of Care (AAC)
14
2. Care of Patient (COP) 20
3. Management of Medication
(MOM)
13
4. Patient Right and Education
(PRE)
07
5. Hospital Infection Control (HIC) 09
Organization Centered
Standards Chapters
St
d
6. Continuous Quality
Improvement (CQI)
08
7. Responsibility of Management
(ROM)
06
8. Facility Management and
Safety (FMS)
08
9. Human Resource Management
(HRM)
10
10. Information Management
System(IMS)
07
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18. Assessment Criteria
 A hospital willing to be accredited by NABH must ensure the implementation of NABH standards
in its organization.
 The assessment team will check the implementation of NABH Standards in organization.
 The Hospital shall be able to demonstrate to NABH assessment team that all NABH standards, as
applicable, are followed
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19. Preparing for NABH Accreditation
 Hospital management shall first decide about getting accreditation for its hospital from NABH. It is
important for a hospital to make a definite plan of action for obtaining accreditation and nominate
a responsible person to coordinate all activities related to seeking accreditation.
 An official nominated should be familiar with existing hospital quality assurance system.
 Hospital shall procure a copy of standards from the NABH Secretariat against payment.
 Further clarification regarding standards can be got form NABH Secretariat in person, by post, by
e-mail or on telephone.
 The hospital looking for accreditation shall understand the NABH assessment procedure.
 The hospitals shall ensure that the standards are implemented in the organization.
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 The hospitals can download the application form for NABH Accreditation from the web-site.
 The applicant hospital must have conducted selfassessment against NABH standards atleast 3
months before submission of application and must ensure that it complies with NABH Standards.

20. Preparing for NABH Accreditation
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NABH Accreditation Procedure

22. Self-Assessment
 This toolkit is for self-assessing itself against NABH Standards.
 The self assessment shall be done by the hospital in a stringent manner and if at the time of pre-
assessment it is found that there is a significant difference between the self assessment and the
pre-assessment report then the organization shall apply for final assessment not earlier than six
months from the date of completion of pre-assessment.
 The applicant hospital must apply for all its facilities and services being rendered from the specific
location.
 NABH accreditation is only considered for hospital’s entire activities and not for a part of it.
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23. Pre-Assessment:
NABH appoints a Principal Assessor/ Assessment Team who is responsible for pre assessment of
healthcare organization.
Objective of Pre-assessment:
 Check the preparedness of the hospital for final assessment
 Review the scope of accreditation and ascertain the requirement of the number of assessors
and the duration of the accreditation
 Review of the documentation system of the hospital
 Explain the methodology to be adopted for assessment.
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24. Final Assessment:
 The hospital is required to take necessary corrective action to the nonconformities pointed
out during the pre-assessment.
 The final assessment involves comprehensive review of hospital functions and services.
 NABH shall appoint an assessment team. The team shall include Principal assessor (already
appointed) and the assessors.
 The total number of assessors appointed shall depend on the number of beds and services
provided.
 The date of final assessment shall be agreed upon by the hospital management and
assessors.
 Assessment shall be conducted on hospital’s department and services. Based on the
assessment by the assessors, the assessment report is prepared by the Principal assessor in a
format prescribed by NABH
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25. GUIDELINES FOR USE OF NABH ACCREDITATION
MARK
 The use of this Mark by the Hospitals/ SHCO/ Blood Banks/ Primary Health Centre (PHC)/
Community Health Centre (CHC) will be under the control of NABH. Compliance with the guidelines
is required when using the NABH accreditation Mark.
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26. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH ADVERSE AN
OTHER DECISIONS AGAINST HCOs
Various categories of decisions are as follows:
A. Adverse decisions against applicant HCO
A.1 Inactive and Closed
B. Adverse decisions against accredited HCO
B.1 Shifting of Renewal Date
B.2 Expiry of Accreditation
B.3 Abeyance
B.4 Suspension
B.5 Forced Withdrawal
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C. Other decisions against accredited HCO
C.1 Voluntary Withdrawal
C.2 Extension of Validity of Accreditation Certificate

27. Inactive and Closed
Conditions:
 When a HCO has submitted incomplete application and has not submitted
required information, application fee etc. within three months even after a reminder
is sent.
 When HCO has not undergone pre-assessment within three months of submitting
application.
 When HCO has not undergone assessment within six months of conducting pre-
assessment.
 When the assessment of the HCO has been conducted and HCO has not taken
appropriate corrective actions, if required for non-conformities within three months.
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Action by NABH
 A communication is sent to the HCO that it has been put under “Inactive” category and
application will be closed.
 Name of the HCO shall be deleted from the list of applicants on NABH website

28. Shifting of Renewal Date
Condition
 If a HCO has not applied 6 months prior to the expiry of accreditation and is unable to complete
formalities for re-accreditation before the expiry of accreditation.
Action by NABH
 The HCO will not remain in accredited category and cannot use NABH
Accreditation Mark.
 No extension will be granted after the expiry of accreditation.
 Accreditation status will be granted when the HCO undergoes the re-assessment; is able to
complete the corrective actions on the non-conformances after Reassessment and the
Accreditation Committee recommends renewal of accreditation.
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29. 5.2 Expiry of Accreditation
Condition
 When the HCO has not submitted the application for renewal before expiry of accreditation.
Action by NABH
 NABH Officer shall inform the HCO at least one month before expiry of accreditation that it shall
not claim accreditation status and shall not use NABH.
 Accreditation Mark in letterheads, publicity matters etc. After the expiry of accreditation, NABH
website will be updated to show the expired status
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30. Abeyance
Condition
 When a HCO had undergone a Surveillance or Re-assessment visit and has not taken any
corrective action within 3 months of Surveillance/ Re-assessment visit.
 When a HCO has not paid the Accreditation fees and the accreditation expenses, beyond three
months’ liability.
 When a HCO does not appropriately respond to the queries as requested by NABH, even after two
reminders.
 When a total system failure or gross negligence in technical aspects is identified at the time of
Surveillance or Re-assessment visit.
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Action by NABH:
• The abeyance status is given to a HCO for no longer than three months.
• The HCO in abeyance status is not published, however if inquires are made the HCO is referred to as under
abeyance and working towards re-accreditation.
• To regain accreditation status, the HCO in abeyance status must notify to NABH of its desire and agree to
undergo full assessment, paying the re-assessment charges and other outstanding payments.
• Abeyance status will continue till reassessment is completed and a decision is taken.
If the HCO does not proceed further or respond or notify NABH about its inability of being reassessed within
3 months of the abeyance status, action shall be initiated to suspend the accreditation of the HCO.
• The HCO during the period of abeyance cannot use accreditation mark and claim accreditation.

31. Suspension
Condition
 When a HCO continues to be in ‘Abeyance’ status for three months,
 When a HCO violates the conditions of maintaining accreditation such as:
1) non co-operation with NABH
2) refusal to allow examination of documents & records
3) denial of access to NABH & its assessor to its services and patient care areas
4) wrong representation of scope of accreditation
5) misuse of accreditation mark
6) misleading reporting of facts
7) brings NABH into disrepute in any manner etc.
8) result of complaint analysis or any other information, which indicates that the HCO no longer
complies with requirements of NABH.
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Action by NABH
1. The HCO is notified in writing.
2. After 30 days, if issues are not resolved, a suspension letter is issued.
3. The suspension status of HCO is published.
4. A HCO can remain in suspension status for a maximum period of three months.
5. If the HCO does not respond to the actual suspension letter or refuses to meet the
conditions to lift the suspension, ‘Withdrawal’ action is initiated. If, even after
suspension, the HCO continues to violate the conditions of accreditation, an action
on withdrawal of accreditation shall be initiated by NABH.

32. Forced Withdrawal
 Condition
1. When a HCO remains in ‘Suspended status’ for three months and have not met the condition for lifting
the suspension even after three months.
 Action by NABH
1. The HCO is notified in writing.
2. The withdrawal status is published.
3. In case the HCO has been withdrawn from the accreditation programme it is debarred to participate in
the accreditation programme for at least 1 year. The HCO can be re-enrolled in the programme by giving
valid justification of earlier withdrawal by applying as a new HCO and paying full fees and assessment
charges, applicable at time.
4. After the HCO accreditation status is withdrawn, the HCO shall not use accreditation mark or claim
accreditation.
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