It’s challenging to boost the significance of validation in healthcare. Each healthcare establishment establishes some form of internal criteria and regulations for operations. However, accreditation ensures that your organization adheres to the regulations and guidelines set by a reputable, external body.

Accreditation serves as an outside seal of approval on your organization by demonstrating that you follow the norms and recommended methods of the industry. However, accreditation is not about the reputation in healthcare. Going through the accreditation procedure helps in enhancing the quality of care, simplifying operations, and establishing trust with patients and the community.

What is accreditation in healthcare?

Accreditation in healthcare is like an external evaluation that demonstrates a healthcare provider is meeting standards set by an external accreditation organization.

They must demonstrate compliance with these standards to achieve accreditation for a healthcare organization. This usually involves a thorough assessment conducted by industry specialists who examine the organization’s structures and policies.

What does accreditation mean in healthcare?

Healthcare accreditation organizations like DNV, The Joint Commission, or Accreditation Commission for Health Care develop a collection of guidelines with the assistance of professionals from the field.

organizations need to conduct an evaluation of their processes, policies, and other aspects connected to accreditation criteria in order to get ready for accreditation. This enables them to pinpoint any areas where there might be shortcomings in meeting the requirements.

Once the organization is ready, external assessors will carry out inspection to determine whether to grant accreditation to the organization. These assessors are typically professionals in the field and peers from other accredited organizations. To retain accreditation, the organization may need to undergo periodic evaluations every few years to ensure ongoing adherence.

Goal of accreditation for healthcare organizations

In the end, the goal of healthcare accreditation is to fortify your organization and demonstrate your ability to deliver high quality of care.

Achieving and maintaining establishes benchmarks for assessing the performance of your organization. The process aids in upholding compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, as well as staying abreast of industry standards.

Benefits of accreditation in healthcare

Being ready for accreditation can be a lengthy process. It entails collaborating with administrators and leaders to modify policies, procedures, and training materials. However, accreditation is a valuable investment. Ultimately, accomplishing healthcare accreditation can bring numerous significant advantages to your organization:

Improved quality of care

Attaining accreditation requires upholding high standards for patient care among staff. Research has indicated that accreditation enhances the overall quality of care in healthcare establishments.

In specific specialized areas, accreditation programs even enhance patient outcomes.

According to a survey conducted by the Public Health Accreditation Board, 98% of participants acknowledged that accreditation motivated their organization to enhance quality and performance.

Healthcare accreditation mandates organizations to evaluate processes across all departments and sections of their facility. This, in turn, enhances the quality of care by reducing variations in how different staff members and departments attend to patients. The standards ensure that patients receive consistent, excellent care throughout the facility.

Increased community confidence

Patient trust is necessary in healthcare. Patients trust their personal health and often their lives to healthcare personnel. Accreditation provides assurance that patients can have confidence in your organization to provide them with proper care. It also serves as proof to the community that your organization is committed to delivering the best quality of service.

When community members observe that your organization is accredited, they recognize that you have willingly undergone a stringent standard-meeting process. This heightened trust not only attracts more patients but also facilitates the establishment of partnerships within your community by your organization.

Better operational efficiency and processes

Healthcare organizations encounter distinct difficulties when it comes to managing and conducting business operations.

These organizations must ensure that their operations align with a complex array of federal and state laws. Additionally, they must continuously enhance processes while reducing costs.

According to a survey conducted by the Harvard Business Review, management issues was detected as the most notable challenges faced by healthcare providers. The survey involved interviews with over 150 healthcare executives from various types of organizations, revealing that over half of them believed their operational model required changes.

Accreditation in healthcare can assist organizations in making strategic shifts. The majority of accreditation standards provide a framework to help organizations establish improved structures and achieve operational excellence.

In a survey conducted by the Public Health Accreditation Board, 90% of respondents indicated that accreditation had enhanced the management processes of their leadership team.

Reduced liability insurance

Health care is high-risk that operates under stringent regulations. Federal healthcare regulations like the False Claims Act and the Affordable Care Act are hard and ever-changing.

Medical errors or violations of compliance regulations can lead to significant financial losses through lawsuits or even the potential closure of your organization. Preparing for accreditation entails conducting a thorough evaluation of your organization’s functioning, allowing you to identify areas of high risk.

During this process, you may discover compliance gaps or recognize the need to modify procedures to enhance the safety of specific tasks. Taking a proactive approach to risk management results in safer processes and reduces the occurrence of mistakes.

Accreditation can also provide improved access to liability insurance. Some insurance companies offer reduced premiums to accredited facilities, leading to substantial cost savings for your organization that may even offset the expense of accreditation.

Gain competitive advantage

Accreditation provides a competitive profit for your organization. Prospective patients or partners are more selected for a healthcare facility that has achieved accreditation compared to one that lacks accreditation.

Accreditation enhances the quality of care which also leads to increased patient satisfaction. Satisfied patients not only spread positive word-of-mouth but also return to your facility when they require further medical assistance.

Receive shared policies, procedures, and best practices

You gain access to a whole new world of resources and partnerships when your organization gets authorized. Frequently, the accreditation organization provides continuous resources and guidance to ensure you stay updated on new regulations, technology advancements, and industry changes.

Additionally, you can exchange knowledge with other accredited organizations to enhance your policies, procedures, and stay informed about current best practices.

Obtain insights and transparency through external review

During the accreditation review conducted by surveyors, they offer more than just a verification of your facility’s adherence to standards. They often provide valuable advice and insights on how to enhance your organization beyond the required standards.

The group reviewers bring an unbiased external perspective, enabling them to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of your organization. As leaders from other healthcare organizations, they can share tangible examples of strategies that have proven successful in improving their own organizations. Since your organization undergoes peer review periodically to maintain accreditation, the process ensures that your organization keeps progressing and continuously improving.

These are just some of the benefits of healthcare accreditation. It helps improve the quality of care, streamline operations, mitigate liability risks, and more. Achieving and maintaining accreditation offers a clear roadmap for ongoing improvement in your organization for years to come.