A review of the United Arab Emirates healthcare systems on medical tourism and accreditation.

This paper aims to review the healthcare system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the utilisation of international accreditation to improve the quality of healthcare services and to grow its medical tourism industry. Medical tourism has contributed to the UAE's economy. Hence, the country mandated international accreditation in public and private facilities to attract patients and boost medical tourism. Accreditation is recognised worldwide as one of the main drivers for implementing quality and patient safety standards, which has sparked considerable interest in studying the effects and outcomes of such assessments. Therefore, the second aim of this paper is to review the UAE's strategic goals to improve the quality of healthcare services using international accreditation. Although striving to achieve global accreditation attracts tourists, it is essential to understand the needs and outcomes of such assessments. This review showed how the UAE healthcare sector has evolved to improve the quality of its healthcare services through accreditation. While enhancing the quality of such services and increasing the medical tourism industry provided many opportunities for expatriates to move to the UAE, the country should aim to strengthen its medical services by expanding to other Middle Eastern countries. This paper could influence policymakers implementing international accreditation in the UAE and the Middle Eastern region.

Educação permanente para qualidade e segurança do paciente em hospital acreditado / Educación permanente para calidad y seguridad del paciente en hospital acreditado / Permanent education for quality and patient safety in an accredited hospital

Resumo Objetivo Compreender os desafios enfrentados pela educação permanente para o alcance da melhoria da qualidade e da segurança do paciente em um hospital público submetido à acreditação hospitalar. Métodos Estudo descritivo, transversal e com abordagem qualitativa. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas com 22 profissionais, durando, em média, 22 minutos, as quais posteriormente foram analisadas e interpretadas por meio da análise de conteúdo temática de Bardin. Adotaram-se os softwares Iramuteq para a análise de corpus textual, e o BioEstat 5.3, para análise do perfil dos participantes. A coleta de dados ocorreu em junho de 2022, após aprovação nos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados Aplicou-se a análise de classificação hierárquica descendente, gerada pelo Iramuteq. Obtiveram-se três categorias: Desafios da Educação Permanente mediante o Processo de Melhoria Contínua; Educação Permanente para a Promoção da Qualidade e da Segurança do Paciente no Contexto da Acreditação Hospitalar; e Estratégias Educativas para a Melhoria da Qualidade e da Segurança do Paciente. Conclusão Identificaram-se desafios inerentes às ações de educação permanente em saúde, tais como resistência à mudança de cultura, adesão às atividades, alta rotatividade de profissionais e dificuldade para liberação da equipe de enfermagem para participar das atividades relacionadas à demanda de trabalho.

Resumen Objetivo Comprender los desafíos enfrentados por la educación permanente para lograr mejorar la calidad y la seguridad del paciente en un hospital público sometido a acreditación hospitalaria. Métodos Estudio descriptivo, transversal y con enfoque cualitativo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a 22 profesionales, con duración promedio de 22 minutos, que luego se analizaron e interpretaron mediante el análisis de contenido temático de Bardin. Se utilizaron los softwares Iramuteq para el análisis de corpus textual y BioEstat 5.3 para el análisis del perfil de los participantes. La recopilación de datos se llevó a cabo en junio de 2022, después de la aprobación de los Comités de Ética en Investigación. Resultados Se aplicó el análisis de clasificación jerárquica descendente, generado por Iramuteq. Se obtuvieron tres categorías: Desafíos de la educación permanente mediante el proceso de mejora continua, Educación permanente para la promoción de la calidad y de la seguridad del paciente en el contexto de la acreditación hospitalaria, y Estrategias educativas para la mejora de la calidad y la seguridad del paciente. Conclusión Se identificaron desafíos inherentes a las acciones de educación permanente en salud, tales como resistencia a cambios de cultura, adherencia a las actividades, alta rotación de profesionales y dificultad de autorizar al equipo de enfermería para participar en las actividades relacionadas con la demanda de trabajo.

Abstract Objective To understand the challenges faced in terms of permanent education in health, for achieving quality improvements and patient safety at a public hospital undergoing hospital accreditation. Methods This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 professionals, lasting an average of 22 minutes. The interviews were subsequently analyzed and interpreted using Bardin's thematic content analysis. The software Iramuteq was used to analyze the textual corpus, and BioEstat 5.3 was used to analyze the profile of the participants. The data collection took place in June 2022, following approval by the Research Ethics Committees. Results The descending hierarchical classification analysis, generated by Iramuteq, was applied, resulting in three categories: Challenges of Permanent Education through the Continuous Improvement Process, Permanent Education for the Promotion of Quality and Patient Safety in the Context of Hospital Accreditation, and Educational Strategies for Improving Quality and Patient Safety. Conclusion Challenges inherent to the actions of permanent education in health were identified, such as resistance to cultural change, adherence to activities, high turnover of professionals, and difficulty in releasing the nursing team to participate in activities, due to work demand.

"The Terminology Might Be Ahead of Practice": Embedding Shared Decision Making in Practice-Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation of SDM in the Context of Maternity Care.

Background. It is a patient's right to be included in decisions about their health care. Implementing shared decision making (SDM) is important to enable active communication between clinicians and patients. Although health policy makers are increasingly mandating SDM implementation, SDM adoption has been slow. This study explored stakeholders' organizational- and system-level barriers and facilitators to implementing policy mandated SDM in maternity care in Victoria, Australia. Method. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants including clinicians, health service administrators and decision makers, and government policy makers. Data were mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify barriers and facilitators to SDM implementation. Results. Factors identified as facilitating SDM implementation included using a whole-of-system approach, providing additional implementation resources, correct documentation facilitated by electronic medical records, and including patient outcomes in measurement. Barriers included health service lack of capacity, unclear policy definitions of SDM, and policy makers' lack of resources to track implementation. Conclusion. This is the first study to our knowledge to explore barriers and facilitators to SDM implementation from the perspective of multiple actors following policy mandating SDM in tertiary health services in Australia. The primary finding was that there are concerns that SDM implementation policy is outpacing practice. Nonclinical staff play a crucial role translating policy to practice. Addressing organizational- and system-level barriers and facilitators to SDM implementation should be a key concern of health policy makers, health services, and staff. Highlights: New government policies require shared decision making (SDM) implementation in hospitals.There is limited evidence for how to implement SDM in hospital settings.There are concerns SDM implementation policy is outpacing practice.Understanding and capacity for SDM varies considerably among stakeholders.Whole of system approaches and electronic medical records are seen to facilitate SDM.

Enabling Factors for the Successful Implementation of the CBAHI Accreditation Program.

Background: Healthcare organizations worldwide tend to implement hospital accreditation programs to improve the quality of care they provide. However, the literature shows inconsistent findings on the impact of such programs on the quality of care due to improper implementation of accreditation programs. Purpose: This study explored the enabling factors for the effective implementation of the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) program in the Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This qualitative study involved 22 professionals from five CBAHI-accredited MOH hospitals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. A purposive sampling technique was applied, and data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis approach was applied to the interview transcripts. Results: Four themes and 11 subthemes emerged. The emerging themes included the development of human capital, resolving quality management issues, ensuring the availability of resources, and strategizing CBAHI-specific solutions. Conclusion: The current study fills this knowledge gap by identifying the factors leading to the effective implementation of the CBAHI accreditation program in the MOH hospitals. Only the effective execution of the CBAHI will increase healthcare quality and, as a result, justify the significant resources and efforts invested in these programs. Future research should replicate similar study in other governments or private hospitals.

Impact of the Accreditation Program of the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions on the Safety Dimension of the Institute of Medicine Quality.

Background: Although hospital accreditation is recognized as a tool for improving healthcare, there are inconsistent results regarding its impact on healthcare quality. In Saudi Arabia, it is mandatory for all Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals to be accredited by the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI). Purpose: This study measured the impact of the CBAHI accreditation program on the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) safety dimension in Madinah. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective data gathered from a review of hospital records over 60 months (ie, 12 months before, 36 during, and 12 post-accreditation). The data were analyzed using piecewise (segmented) regression analysis. Results: The three indicators (ie: incident reports, medication errors, and nosocomial infection) were continuously improved compared to the data before accreditation, as a results of implementing the CBAHI accreditation program. Therefore, the CBAHI had a significantly positively impacts on MOH hospitals' safety dimension. Conclusion: Complying with the CBAHI standards can help reduce the rates of incident reports, medication errors, nosocomial infections, and post-admission mortality. This study provides insight for MOH hospitals and opportunities to expand the accreditation program to improve the quality of healthcare services.

Co-designing a theory-informed intervention to increase shared decision-making in maternity care.

BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making (SDM) has been shown to improve healthcare outcomes and is a recognized right of patients. Policy requires health services to implement SDM. However, there is limited research into what interventions work and for what reasons. The aim of the study was to develop a series of interventions to increase the use of SDM in maternity care with stakeholders. METHODS: Interventions to increase the use of SDM in the setting of pregnancy care were developed using Behaviour Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework and building on findings of an in-depth qualitative study which were inductively analysed. Intervention development workshops involved co-design, with patients, clinicians, health service administrators and decision-makers, and government policy makers. Workshops focused on identifying viable SDM opportunities and tailoring interventions to the local context (the Royal Women's Hospital) and salient qualitative themes. RESULTS: Pain management options during labour were identified by participants as a high priority for application of SDM, and three interventions were developed including patient and clinician access to the Victorian Government's maternity record via the patient portal and electronic medical records (EMR); a multi-layered persuasive communications campaign designed; and clinical champions and SDM simulation training. Factors identified by participants for successful implementation included having alignment with strategic direction of the service, support of leaders, using pre-standing resources and workflows, using clinical champions, and ensuring equity. CONCLUSION: Three interventions co-designed to increase the use of SDM for pain management during labour address key barriers and facilitators to SDM in maternity care. This study exemplifies how health services can use behavioural science and co-design principles to increase the use of SDM. Insights into the co-design of interventions to implement SDM in routine practice provide a framework for other health services, policy makers and researchers.

Analysis of accreditation results and development strategies of tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu province from 2018 to 2020 / 中华医院管理杂志

As an important measure starting for hospital management, hospital accreditation can effectively guide hospitals to improve their comprehensive service capabilities and management level. The accreditation results of 38 tertiary general hospitals in Jiangsu province from 2018 to 2020 showed that there were weaknesses existing in the development of hospitals, including the radiosity and influence of tertiary hospitals, patient service mode, construction of medical technology capabilities and disciplines, medical quality and safety, nursing quality management and specialized nursing, and information construction. The author suggested that hospitals should return to functional positioning, improve the service quality, strengthen construction of hospital disciplines and technical projects, consolidate the foundation of quality and safety management, improve the level of information technology construction, for references for promoting the high-quality sustainable development of tertiary general hospitals.

Implementación del sistema de gestión de calidad en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología / Implementation of the Quality Management System in the Institute of Hematology and Immunology

Introducción: Un sistema de gestión de calidad brinda la estructura organizativa, los procesos, los procedimientos y las herramientas para implementar las actividades y alcanzar los objetivos requeridos. Es un proceso en el que participan directivos, operativos y administrativos. Todos deben reconocer y asumir su responsabilidad para el éxito de la implementación o mejoramiento del sistema y deben esforzarse para alcanzarlo. Objetivo: Exponer el proceso de implementación del sistema de gestión de calidad del Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación descriptiva. Se realizaron encuestas, entrevistas y auditorías para mostrar el desarrollo del sistema de gestión de calidad del Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología. El período de estudió fue de 2017-2020 e incluyó 32 áreas del instituto. Resultados: Se crearon los documentos del sistema de gestión de calidad y el plan de gestión. Se capacitó al personal. Se definieron las políticas, el objetivo y la proyección estratégica de la calidad. Se elaboró y se puso en ejecución todo el sistema documental, con un total de más de 590 documentos. Las tareas derivadas del plan de gestión de la calidad se cumplieron en un 81,25 por ciento, esto permitió identificar las áreas de mejoras Conclusiones: La implementación del sistema de gestión de calidad es trascendental para elevar el buen desempeño de una organización de salud y constituye el motor impulsor para lograr la calidad merecida en todos los servicios asistenciales que brinda, lo cual demuestra su importancia para alcanzar los resultados que espera y necesita el sistema de salud cubano(AU)

Introduction: A quality management system provides the organizational structure, processes, procedures and tools to implement activities and achieve the required objectives. It is a process with the participation of management, operational and administrative personnel. All of them must recognize and assume their responsibility for the successful implementation or improvement of the system and must strive to achieve it. Objective: To describe the implementation process of the quality management system in the Institute of Hematology and Immunology. Methods: A descriptive research was carried out. Surveys, interviews and audits were conducted to show the development of the quality management system in Institute of Hematology and Immunology. The study period was 2017-2020 and included 32 institutional areas. Results: The corresponding documents were created for the quality management system and the management plan. The personnel received training. Quality policies, objective and strategic projection were defined. The entire document system was developed and implemented, with a total of more than 590 documents. The tasks derived from the quality management plan were completed at 81.25 percent, which allowed the identification of areas for improvement. Conclusions: The implementation of the quality management system is transcendental to raise the good performance of a health organization, as well as the driving force to achieve the deserved quality in all the care services provided by any institution, which shows its importance to achieve the outcomes expected and needed by the Cuban health system(AU)

Psychosocial Safety Climate Moderates the Effect of Demands of Hospital Accreditation on Healthcare Professionals: A Longitudinal Study.

Hospital accreditation has been studied comprehensively, yet few studies have observed its impacts on the burnout and work engagement levels of frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs). With a sample of 121 HCPs working in the United Arab Emirates' public hospitals, this study used a two-wave, cross-lagged panel design to examine the direct effects of job demands and job resources during hospital accreditations on burnout and work engagement and the moderating roles of psychosocial safety climate (PSC) on burnout and work engagement 3 months after accreditation. The data were analyzed using moderated structural equation modeling. As expected, we found that job demands (i.e., accreditation demands) had a direct effect on burnout, while job resources (i.e., social support) predicted work engagement. PSC moderated both relationships; however, it was not able to directly predict burnout or work engagement. Findings from this study show a positive relationship between accreditation demands and HCPs' health. Future research needs to examine the link between PSC and job demands-resources concepts before and after hospital accreditation more closely by using multiple time points to assess the causality relationships between predictor and outcome variables.

The continued decline of plasma transfusions in Taiwan: An 11-year population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Taiwan, plasma use per capita ranks among the highest in the world. We aimed to describe the trends in usage after the introduction of new hospital accreditation standards that evaluate compliance with institutional plasma transfusion guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified hospitalizations receiving plasma between 2007 and 2017 from the national health insurance database. We estimated plasma transfusions per thousand capita. The risk ratio of transfusion rates among hospitalizations in 2017 compared to 2007 was estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The total number of plasma transfusions declined from 964,408 in 2007 to 659,828 in 2017, yielding a rate of 28.00 per thousand capita. The proportion of hospitalizations receiving plasma declined by 38%, from 3.89% (95% confidence interval: 3.86%-3.91%) to 2.62% (2.61%-2.64%). Gastroenterology (16.4%) and general surgery (15.3%) accounted for the largest proportions of plasma usage. Within these two services, liver diseases were the top diagnoses needing plasma use. For hospitalized patients with liver diseases, approximately 40% of plasma units were administered to patients with neither noticeable bleeding nor red blood cells transfusions. Among these patients, almost 50% received plasma with an international normalized ratio trigger of less than 1.50. The use of potential alternative therapies or anticoagulants remained quite low during this period. CONCLUSION: Plasma utilization rates during hospitalizations continuously declined over 11 years. However, inappropriate plasma use remained high, while the use of alternative therapies remained low in services such as gastroenterology. To improve the appropriateness of plasma transfusions, patient blood management should be implemented in the near future.

Nurses' stress and resilience before and after evaluation for hospital accreditation / Estrés y resiliencia de enfermeros antes y después de la evaluación para acreditación de hospitales / Estresse e resiliência de enfermeiros antes e depois da avaliação para acreditação hospitalar

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze and compare levels of stress and resilience in nurses before and after the assessment for maintenance of the Hospital Accreditation Certification. Methods: quantitative, observational, and longitudinal research, with 53 nurses from a philanthropic hospital, in the Rio Grande do Sul. Data collected in two stages, March, and July 2019, before the assessment visit and 60 days after, using the Bianchi Stress Scale and Resilience Scale. Descriptive and analytical statistics were employed. Results: the majority of participants showed an average stress level before and after the evaluation. The highest stress scores were related to Domains E (coordination of unit activities) and C (activities related to personnel administration). In both moments of the study, the participants had medium and high resilience. Conclusions: managing people, processes, and assistance are stressful activities in the Accreditation process and increase the nurses' stress levels.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar y comparar niveles de estrés y resiliencia de enfermeros antes y después de evaluación para manutención de Certificación de Acreditación de Hospitales. Métodos: investigación cuantitativa, observacional y longitudinal, con 53 enfermeros de hospital filantrópico, en Rio Grande del Sul. Datos recolectados en dos etapas, marzo y julio de 2019, antes de la invitación de evaluación y 60 días después. Utilizado Escala de Estrés Bianchi y Escala de Resiliencia. Empleado estadística descriptiva y analítica. Resultados: mayoría de los participantes presentaron nivel mediano de estrés antes y después de la evaluación. Mayores escores de estrés fueron referentes a Dominios E (coordinación de actividades de la unidad) y C (actividades relacionadas a administración de personal). En los dos momentos, los participantes encontraban con capacidad de resiliencia mediana y alta. Conclusiones: gerenciar personas, procesos y asistencia son actividades agotadoras en la Acreditación y elevan los niveles de estrés de los enfermeros.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar e comparar níveis de estresse e resiliência de enfermeiros antes e depois da avaliação para manutenção da Certificação de Acreditação Hospitalar. Métodos: pesquisa quantitativa, observacional e longitudinal, com 53 enfermeiros de um hospital filantrópico, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Dados coletados em duas etapas, março e julho de 2019, antes da visita de avaliação e 60 dias depois. Utilizou-se Escala Bianchi de Stress e Escala de Resiliência. Empregouse estatística descritiva e analítica. Resultados: a maioria dos participantes apresentou nível médio de estresse antes e depois da avaliação. Maiores escores de estresse foram referentes aos Domínios E (coordenação das atividades da unidade) e C (atividades relacionadas à administração de pessoal). Nos dois momentos do estudo, os participantes encontravam-se com capacidade de resiliência média e alta. Conclusões: gerenciar pessoas, processos e assistência são atividades desgastantes no processo de Acreditação e elevam os níveis de estresse dos enfermeiros.

Avaliação do monitoramento da iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança no estado do Paraná - 2015 a 2019 / Monitoring evaluation of the Hospital Amigo da Criança initiative in the state of Paraná - 2015 to 2019

Resumo: Introdução: Para a manutenção e sustentabilidade da Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança, é imprescindível o monitoramento constante, pois assim é possível manter os padrões de qualidade desejados. Apesar dos esforços empreendidos pelos estabelecimentos habilitados como Amigo da Criança, ainda se faz necessária uma revisão das práticas adotadas. Objetivo Geral: Avaliar o processo de monitoramento segundo os critérios da Iniciativa no estado no Paraná do período de 2015 a 2019. Objetivos Específicos: Caracterizar os Hospitais Amigo da Criança no Paraná; Descrever o resultado consolidado da avaliação interna da Iniciativa no estado do Paraná, no período de 2015 a 2019; Analisar o cumprimento dos critérios da Iniciativa nas avaliações externas, realizadas no estado do Paraná, entre 2015 e 2019 e, Analisar a concordância entre os resultados da avaliação interna e 1ª avaliação externa, realizadas entre 2015 e 2019. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo de caso único, quantitativo, pautado no referencial metodológico de Yin. O estudo foi constituído por 21 Hospitais Amigo da Criança no Paraná. A coleta de evidências ocorreu em quatro etapas entre abril e maio de 2021. Na primeira caracterizou-se os hospitais, na segunda descreveu-se o resultado das avaliações internas, na terceira analisou-se o resultado das avaliações externas e, na quarta analisou-se a concordância entre os resultados da avaliação interna e externa. Utilizou-se como fonte de evidências documentos de gestão e sistemas web de domínio público e privado. Os dados coletados foram tabulados em formato Microsoft® Office Excel. A unidade de análise foi a Iniciativa e como subunidade os hospitais. Para análise das evidências utilizou-se a estratégia analítica de série temporal, e estatística descritiva com frequência simples e relativa. Resultado: Entre os estabelecimentos 76,2% são do tipo hospital geral, com 42,9% situados na 2ª Regional de Saúde, sendo que 57,1% tem habilitação antiga, atendendo ao risco habitual, intermediário e alto, atendimento exclusivo do sistema único de saúde, gestão dupla, sem atividade de ensino. Houve 105 avaliações internas, sendo o ano de 2015 com o melhor resultado de cumprimento dos critérios e 2017 como o pior. Dentre os hospitais sete obtiveram média abaixo de 80% de cumprimento, e cinco com 100%. Ressalta-se que apenas dois itens não atingiram 80%. Quanto às 43 avaliações externas, o ano de 2016 destacou-se com o melhor resultado e 2019 com o pior, dentre os hospitais tem-se nove com 100% de cumprimento, e dois com 0%. Em relação aos critérios, sete itens apresentaram porcentagem de cumprimento insatisfatório. Já nas 29 análises de concordância, tem-se o ano de 2016 com o melhor resultado e 2018 com o pior. Em relação aos critérios, três itens apresentaram menos de 50% de concordância, oito entre 50 e 70%, e dois acima de 90%. Conclusão: Esta iniciativa tem potencialidades para promover a inserção e a incorporação desta cultura na instituição. Seu fortalecimento traz impactos positivos na qualidade da assistência materno-infantil no estado, impulsionando a qualidade no nascimento, com repercussões em toda a vida do indivíduo e sua família, e subsidiando os profissionais no desenvolvimento de práticas sustentadas em evidências científicas robustas.

Abstract: Introduction: For the maintenance and sustainability of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, constant monitoring is essential, as it is possible to maintain the desired quality standards. Despite the efforts made by the establishments qualified as Baby Friendly, a review of the adopted practices is still necessary. General Objective: To evaluate the monitoring process according to the criteria of the Initiative in the state of Paraná from 2015 to 2019. Specific Objectives: To characterize the Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Paraná; Describe the consolidated result of the internal evaluation of the Initiative in the state of Paraná, from 2015 to 2019; Analyze compliance with the Initiative's criteria in external evaluations, carried out in the state of Paraná, between 2015 and 2019 and, Analyze the agreement between the results of the internal evaluation and the 1st external evaluation, carried out between 2015 and 2019. Methods: This is a study single case, quantitative, based on Yin's methodological framework. The study consisted of 21 Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Paraná. Evidence collection took place in four stages between April and May 2021. In the first, the hospitals were characterized, in the second, the results of internal evaluations were described, in the third, the results of external evaluations were analyzed, and, in the fourth, they were analyzed. if the agreement between the results of the internal and external evaluation. Management documents and web systems in the public and private domain were used as a source of evidence. The collected data were tabulated in Microsoft® Office Excel format. The unit of analysis was the Initiative and the hospitals as a sub-unit. To analyze the evidence, the analytical strategy of time series was used, and descriptive statistics with simple and relative frequency. Result: Among the establishments, 76.2% are of the general hospital type, with 42.9% located in the 2nd Health Regional, and 57.1% have old licenses, given the usual, intermediate and high risk, exclusive service of the system single health care, dual management, no teaching activity. There were 105 internal assessments, with 2015 being the year with the best result in terms of meeting the criteria and 2017 being the worst. Among the hospitals, seven had an average below 80% of compliance, and five with 100%. It is noteworthy that only two items did not reach 80%. As for the 43 external evaluations, the year 2016 stood out with the best result and 2019 with the worst, among the hospitals there are nine with 100% compliance, and two with 0%. Regarding the criteria, seven items showed a percentage of unsatisfactory compliance. In the 29 concordance analyses, 2016 has the best result and 2018 has the worst. Regarding the criteria, three items showed less than 50% agreement, eight between 50 and 70%, and two above 90%. Conclusion: This initiative has the potential to promote the insertion and incorporation of this culture in the institution. Its strengthening brings positive impacts on the quality of maternal and child care in the state, boosting quality at birth, with repercussions throughout the life of the individual and their family, and subsidizing professionals in the development of practices supported by robust scientific evidence.

Impact of the Introduction of Accreditation Standards on the Satisfaction of Patients in Cardiology Departments.

BACKGROUND: It can be presumed that introducing accreditation standards and obtaining national accreditation by a hospital should translate into increased patient satisfaction. The aim was to analyze the impact of introducing accreditation standards on patient satisfaction in cardiology departments. METHODS: 1080 patients, who were hospitalized in four cardiological wards (W1-W4) between 2009-2015, were asked to complete a 22-item questionnaire that assessed the level of their satisfaction with their medical care. 58 questionnaires were excluded because of incomplete data. The hospital was accredited in 2013. RESULTS: In 3 of the 4 wards, a statistically higher total score (the patient was more satisfied) in the period after the accreditation (2013-2015) compared to the period before the accreditation (2009-2012) was as follows: W1 (80.37 ± 6.54 vs. 83.85 ± 5.9; p = 0.0004), W2 (79.95 ± 7.62 vs. 81.46 ± 8.2: p = 0.0376), W4: (78.84 ± 7.94 vs. 84.91 ± 5.57; p = 0.0376); in one ward, there was no statistical difference: W3 (80.11 ± 8.42 vs. 81.07 ± 8.15; p = 0.3284). A significant difference was found in the number of points for the total assessment that were collected for all of the analyzed departments throughout the entire period (2009-2015)-W1: p = 0.0032; W2: p = 0.0176; W3: p = 0.0313 and W4: p < 0.0001). The medium-term rate of the change of the total score decreased after the accreditation. CONCLUSION: Preparing a hospital for a national accreditation program brought significant benefits for patients in a long-term observation.

The impact of hospital accreditation in selected Middle East countries: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: There is conflicting evidence concerning the impact of hospital accreditation programmes, including across the Middle East Region, where such programmes have been most recently implemented in Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This paper maps available evidence regarding the impact of hospital accreditation in these three countries and draws attention to knowledge gaps for consideration. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This scoping review was conducted in 2020, using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Five research databases were searched, along with five government and accreditation agency websites. Searches were complemented by citation chaining. English and Arabic publications evaluating hospital accreditation in the selected countries were included. Commentaries and articles not based on primary data collection and reviews of existing registry data were excluded. There were no exclusions based on study design or methods. A descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis were used to synthesise the literature. FINDINGS: studies were included. The majority (n = 35) were published since 2014 and conducted in Saudi Arabia (n = 16). Four themes emerged: organisational impacts, patient safety, quality of care, and patient satisfaction and experience. The literature generally highlights positive impacts of accreditation, but most studies were based solely on health professionals' subjective perceptions. "Organisational impacts" had the largest, and strongest body of supporting evidence, while "patient safety" had the least and most variable evidence. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Opportunities to strengthen the design and evaluation of hospital accreditation programmes in the selected countries are highlighted. Additional experimental, mixed-method research is recommended to strengthen the evidence base and inform practical enhancements to hospital accreditation programmes in the region.

Atuação do enfermeiro no contexto da acreditação hospitalar: uma revisão integrativa / Nurse's performance in the contexto of hospitalar accreditation: na integrative review

Resumo Objetivo: Compreender a atuação do enfermeiro no contexto da Acreditação Hospitalar. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada de janeiro a junho de 2019, nas bases Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Bases de Dados Específica da Enfermagem, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) e Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. Foram selecionados artigos originais, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, que apresentassem relatos ou experiências da atuação do enfermeiro em contextos de Acreditação Hospitalar da Organização Nacional de Acreditação. Os artigos foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. Resultado: Como resultado encontraram-se 10 artigos que respondiam ao objetivo do estudo e emergiram três categorias temáticas referentes ao papel do enfermeiro: Assistencial, Administrativo e Educativo. Na assistência, o enfermeiro exerce atividades de avaliação de resultados e ações, emprego e elaboração de indicadores, aplicação de protocolos, controle de medicamentos, produtos e equipamentos, articulação entre a equipe multiprofissional e incorporação de medidas de segurança. No administrativo, realização de planejamento, estabelecimento de metas, participação em comissões, desenvolvimento de políticas de qualidade e reorganização do trabalho. Como educador, o enfermeiro desenvolve ações de fortalecimento da cultura de segurança e qualidade. Conclusão: Que o enfermeiro possuía competências e habilidades que auxiliavam no processo de Acreditação Hospitalar, importantes para o credenciamento da instituição Hospitalar

Abstract Objective: Understand the role of nurses in the context of Hospital Accreditation. Method: This was an integrative literature review, carried out between January and June 2019, on the basis of Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Specific Nursing Databases, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. Original articles were selected, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, that presented reports or experiences of the nurse's performance in contexts of Hospital Accreditation of the National Accreditation Organization. The articles were analyzed through content analysis. Results: As a result, 10 articles were found that responded to the objective of the study and emerged three thematic categories referring to the role of the nurse: Assistance, Administrative and Educational. In care, nurses perform activities to evaluate results and actions, use and develop indicators, apply protocols, control medications, products and equipment, articulation between the multidisciplinary team and incorporation of safety measures. In the administrative area, carrying out planning, setting goals, participating in commissions, developing quality policies and reorganizing work. As an educator, the nurse develops actions to strengthen the culture of safety and quality. Conclusión: That was understood that the nurse had skills and abilities that assisted in the Hospital Accreditation process, which were important for the accreditation of the hospital institution.

Resumen Objetivo: Comprender el papel del enfermero en el contexto de la acreditación hospitalaria. Método: Se trata de una revisión integrativa de la literatura, realizada entre enero y junio de 2019, sobre la base de la literatura latinoamericana y caribeña en ciencias de la salud, bases de datos de enfermería específicas, índice acumulativo de literatura de enfermería y salud afín y sistema de análisis y recuperación de literatura médica en línea. Se seleccionaron artículos originales, en portugués, inglés y español, que presentaban informes o experiencias sobre el desempeño del enfermero en contextos de acreditación hospitalaria de la Organización Nacional de Acreditación. Los artículos fueron analizados mediante análisis de contenido. Resultados: Como resultado, se encontraron 10 artículos que respondieron al objetivo del estudio y emergieron tres categorías temáticas relacionadas con el rol del enfermero: Asistencial, Administrativo y Educativo. En el asistencial, el enfermero realiza actividades para evaluar resultados y acciones, usar y desarrollar indicadores, aplicar protocolos, controlar medicamentos, productos y equipos, articulación entre el equipo multidisciplinario e incorporación de medidas de seguridad. En el área administrativa, realiza la planificación, establece metas, participa en comisiones, desarrolla políticas de calidad y reorganiza el trabajo. Como educador, el enfermero desarrolla acciones para fortalecer la cultura de seguridad y calidad. Conclusión: El enfermero tenía habilidades y destrezas que ayudan en el proceso de acreditación del hospital, que son importantes para la acreditación de la institución hospitalaria.

National accreditation programmes for hospitals in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Case studies from Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Many countries use external evaluation programmes such as accreditation in order to improve quality and safety in their healthcare settings. Hospital accreditation has developed in many low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs); however, the implementation and sustainability of these programmes vary in each country. This study addresses design and implementation issues of national hospital accreditation programmes. It identifies factors which may explain why programmes can be implemented successfully in one country but not in another and derives lessons for the design and implementation of national accreditation programmes in poor-resource settings. METHODS: A multiple case study design was used, comprising three countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 key stakeholders in the three countries and experts from international organisations concerned with accreditation activities in LMICs. RESULTS: The hospital accreditation programme was successful and sustainable in Jordan but experienced some difficulties in Egypt and Lebanon. The premature end of external funding and devastating political instability after the Arab Spring were problematic for the programmes in Egypt and Lebanon, but continuous funding and strong political will supported the implementation and sustainability of the programme in Jordan. CONCLUSIONS: LMICs striving to improve their hospitals' performance through accreditation programmes should consider their vulnerability to a scarcity of financial resources and political instability. An important factor underpinning sustainability is recognising that the accreditation programme is an ongoing and developing quality improvement process that needs continuing and careful attention from funders and political systems if it is to survive and thrive.

Neonatal and infant mortality of very-low-birth-weight infants in Taiwan: Does the level of delivery hospital matter?

BACKGROUND: To study the distribution of the birthplaces of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants and examine whether delivery at different levels of hospital affects neonatal and infant mortality. METHODS: This population-based cohort study was retrieved from Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database. Livebirth singleton VLBW infants born between 2011 and 2014, with BW between 500 and 1499 g and gestational age ≥22 weeks were enrolled. The main outcomes were risk-adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of neonatal and infant mortality by birthplace, which was categorized as medical center (MC), regional hospital (RH), district hospital (DH), and clinic (C) based on Taiwan's hospital accreditation system. RESULTS: Of 4560 VLBW infants enrolled, 3005 (66%) were born in MCs, 1181 (26%) in RHs, 213 (5%) in DHs, and 161 (4%) in Cs. Neonatal mortality rates were 10%, 15%, 16%, 17%, and infant mortality rates were 13%, 17%, 18%, 21%, if born in MCs, RHs, DHs and Cs, respectively. The aORs for neonatal and infant mortality were 1.94 (95% CI 1.53-2.48) and 1.67 (1.34-2.08) for those born in RHs, 2.26 (1.38-3.70) and 1.82 (1.16-2.86) for infants born in DHs/Cs, as compared to those born in MCs. For VLBW infants born in RHs, DHs, and Cs and postnatally transferred to MCs, the aORs of neonatal and infant mortality were lower than those who were not transferred. CONCLUSION: VLBW infants born outside of MCs had higher neonatal and infant mortality and a two-fold higher risk of mortality than those born in MCs. When possible, VLBW infants should be born in MCs.

Comparison of Major Clinical Outcomes between Accredited and Nonaccredited Hospitals for Inpatient Care of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Hospital accreditation programs are used worldwide to improve the quality of care and improve patient safety. It is of great help in improving the structure of hospitals, but there are mixed research results on improving the clinical outcome of patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of core clinical outcome indicators after receiving inpatient services from accredited and nonaccredited hospitals in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). For all patients with AMI admitted to general hospitals in Korea from 2010 to 2017, their 30-day mortality and readmissions and length of stay were compared according to accreditation status. In addition, through a multivariate model that controls various patients' and hospitals' factors, the differences in those indicators were analyzed more accurately. The 30-day mortality of patients admitted to accredited hospitals was statistically significantly lower than that of patients admitted to nonaccredited hospitals. However, for 30-day readmission and length of stay, accreditation did not appear to yield more desirable results. This study shows that when evaluating the clinical impact of hospital accreditation programs, not only the mortality but also various clinical indicators need to be included, and a more comprehensive review is needed.

Consecutive cycles of accreditation and quality of in-hospital care: a Danish population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about whether repeated cycles of hospital accreditation are a robust method to improve quality of care continuously. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the association between compliance with consecutive cycles of accreditation and quality of in-hospital care. METHODS: We conducted a Danish nationwide population-based study including patients aged 18 years treated for acute stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart failure or hip fracture at public, non-psychiatric hospitals. From 2012 to 2015, two cycles of national hospital accreditation were completed, resulting in 12 high and 14 low compliant hospitals (Low = partially accredited in both cycles). Our outcome measure was quality of in-hospital care measured by 39 process performance measures (PPMs), reflecting recommendations from the national clinical guidelines by adherence to (i) individual PPMs and (ii) the full bundle of PPMs (all-or-none). We computed adjusted odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression based on robust standard error estimation for cluster sampling of data at hospital level. RESULTS: In total, 78 387 patient pathways covering 508 816 processes were included, of which 47% had been delivered at high compliant hospitals and 53% at low compliant hospitals, respectively. Compliance with consecutive cycles was not associated with improved quality of in-hospital care (individual: OR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77-1.10; All-or-none: OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.66-1.15). However, in the second cycle alone, patients treated at partially accredited hospitals had a lower adherence than patients treated at fully accredited hospitals (Individual: OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71-0.99; All-or-none: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.59-1.03). The association was particularly strong among patients treated at partially accredited hospitals required to submit additional documentation. CONCLUSION: Compliance with consecutive cycles of hospital accreditation in Denmark was not associated with improved quality of in-hospital care. However, compliance with the second cycle alone was associated with improved quality of in-hospital care.

Iran hospital accreditation standards: challenges and solutions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges of Iranian hospital accreditation standards and provide solutions. DESIGN: A qualitative research design was used in this study. Open and semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2018. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. SETTING: Public, private, semi-public, charity and military hospitals in Tehran, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: A pluralistic evaluation approach was employed and 151 participants including policy makers, hospital management and staff, accreditation surveyors and university professors participated in this study. RESULTS: Challenges of hospital accreditation standards were grouped into two groups: standards development process and standards content. Lack of an independent standards development committee, insufficient expertise of committee members, inconsistencies among the standards' constructs, inappropriate standard classification, ambiguity of standards, unmeasurable standards, vague and inflexible scoring system, and inability to use some standards were the main challenges of Iran hospital accreditation standards. Establishing a scientific committee consisting of representative from hospitals, health insurance companies, professional and scientific associations and universities for standard development, training the committee members, and utilizing hospital's feedback will help address these problems. CONCLUSION: Iran's hospital accreditation standards face challenges that prevent them from achieving their goals, that is, improving the quality, safety, effectiveness and efficiency of hospital services. Necessary measures should be taken to solve these problems.