Payesh (Dec 2021)
Hospital accreditation methods in Iran: Challenges and solutions
Abstract
Objective(s): Hospital accreditation is “an external evaluation of a hospital by an independent professional accreditation body using pre-established optimal structural, process and outcome standards”. The Iranian hospital accreditation program faces some challenges. This study aimed to identify the Methods challenges of Iran hospital accreditation program and its solutions. Methods: This qualitative study of interpretive phenomenology was performed using semi-structured interviews in 2019. Using a pluralistic evaluation approach, 151 policy makers, hospital managers and staffs, accreditation surveyors, academics, from ministry of health, medical universities, hospitals and health insurance companies were purposively and snowballing recruited and interviewed. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Overall, 27 challenges and 17 solutions were identified in the form of five sections including accreditation time, accreditation method, duration of accreditation, feedback and accreditation certificate. Inadequate time to start accreditation, not having the same approach to evaluation, Inefficiency of self-assessment and periodic evaluation, Failure to provide detailed feedback to hospitals, Lack of support for hospitals, Irrational validation of an accreditation certificate and the lack of public announcement of results were the main challenges. Some of solutions for overcoming these barriers are as set a specific time frame for accreditation, using a scientific and patient-centered approach, development of assessors' knowledge and skills, Independence of the evaluation organization, provide detailed feedback, Determining the biennial validity for the accreditation certificate and public announcement of hospitals’ accreditation results. Conclusion: Iran Hospital Accreditation Program lacks a scientific, coherent and integrated method for hospital accreditation. Improving the Methods of Iran's hospital accreditation program can increase the validity and reliability of Iranian hospital accreditation results.
