Accreditation
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process in which an entity, separate and distinct from the health care organisation, usually nongovernmental, assesses the health care organisation to determine if it meets a set of requirements (standards) designed to improve the safety and quality of care. Accreditation is usually voluntary. Accreditation standards are usually regarded as optimal and achievable. Accreditation provides a visible commitment by an organisation to improve the safety and quality of patient care, to ensure a safe care environment, and to continually work to reduce risks to patients and staff. Accreditation has gained worldwide attention as an effective quality evaluation and management tool.
What are the Benefits of Accreditation?
The accreditation process is designed to create a culture of safety and quality within an organisation that strives to continually improve patient care processes and results. In doing so, organisations:
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Provide a safe and efficient work environment that contributes to worker satisfaction;
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Negotiate with sources of payment for care with data on the quality of care;
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Listen to patients and their families, respect their rights, and involve them in the care process as partners;
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Create a culture that is open to learning from the timely reporting of adverse events and safety concerns;
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Establish collaborative leadership that sets priorities and continuous leadership for quality and patient safety at all levels.
Who are the Hospital’s Accrediting Bodies?
The Hospital is aided by the recommendations and advice of external reviewers and inspectors in achieving its quality goals. External review of the hospital includes the following:
- Joint Commission International
- Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB- haemovigilance)
- Clinical Pathology Association
- ISO 9002
- Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
- HIQA Self Assessments-Symptomatic Breast Disease
- Health & Safety Inspector
- Environmental Health Officer
- HSE –Clinical Audit Radiology
The adoption of, and compliance with, the standards published by these bodies help us to demonstrate our systematic approach to quality and patient safety throughout the hospital.
