Why NABH Is Important For Your Hospital?

Third-party administrators (TPAs) are health insurance companies that provide administrative services to hospitals in India. The process of TPA empanelment is the process by which a hospital becomes a member of a TPA’s network.

In order to become a TPA, a hospital must meet certain criteria and go through a rigorous application process. The process of TPA empanelment is long and complex, but it is essential for hospitals in India to become TPA in order to be able to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Why NABH Is Important For Your Hospital

The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a quality assurance initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. NABH is the highest quality accreditation that a hospital can achieve in India.

The NABH accreditation is a mark of excellence that signals a commitment to providing high-quality patient care. Hospitals that are accredited by NABH must meet stringent quality standards in all areas of operation, from patient safety to infection control.

In this article, we will discuss 12 reasons why NABH is important for your hospital.

1. What is NABH? 

NABH is the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers, helping to improve and maintain the quality of healthcare services in India. It was established in 2006 as a quality assurance initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

NABH is India’s first and foremost accreditation body for quality and patient safety in hospitals and healthcare centers. It also creates a framework for developing an efficient and effective healthcare delivery system.

NABH works to ensure that hospitals provide quality care and treatment, follow medical protocols and guidelines, engage in continuous improvement, and continuously update their skills to better meet the needs of their patients. It also helps improve the standard of care in India, ensuring safe and quality service to the public.

By getting NABH accreditation, hospitals demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality patient care. Additionally, it helps to create a safe and healthy environment for their patients and staff. The accreditation also helps to attract more customers, as it is a sign of quality.

2. Why is NABH important? 

NABH is an important component of a hospital that is committed to providing quality healthcare and patient safety. Here are 12 reasons why it is important:

• Ensures transparency in the hospital’s medical practices and procedures
• Promotes patient safety and ensures compliance with clinical protocols
• Encourages continuous improvement in the hospital’s standards of care
• Helps maintain the highest level of medical professionalism in the hospital
• Emphasizes the importance of quality in the delivery of healthcare
• Aids in reducing the cost of healthcare by promoting efficiency and standardization of care
• Increases staff morale and encourages a higher level of commitment
• Enhances public confidence as it is a sign of quality
• Creates a reliable and transparent system for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the hospital
• Establishes a benchmark of excellence in the quality of services delivered
• Helps hospitals keep up with the changing trends and technologies in the healthcare industry
• Makes sure the hospital is well-equipped with the necessary resources and infrastructure to deliver quality care.

3. NABH-accredited hospitals are safer 

NABH accreditation is an important seal of approval for hospitals that are committed to providing safe and reliable healthcare services. Hospitals that are NABH-accredited must adhere to a wide range of safety guidelines, including but not limited to:

1. Following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
2. Ensuring the highest level of patient safety
3. Adopting best practices and standards in the medical field
4. Creating an environment of continuous improvement
5. Establishing policies on HIPAA compliance
6. Mandatory medical staff training and education
7. Ensuring a safe and secure hospital environment
8. Incorporating risk management procedures

 By obtaining NABH accreditation, hospitals are showing their commitment to providing quality and safe care for their patients. NABH-accredited hospitals undergo a regular inspection process to maintain the highest standards of care, which results in better outcomes for patients. Accreditation is a sign of trust and a guarantee that the best practices are being implemented at the hospital.

4. NABH hospitals have better infection control 

Infection control is a critical part of patient safety, as inadequate infection control can lead to the spread of diseases. NABH-accredited hospitals have a robust system of infection control measures in place to help ensure their facility remains clean, safe, and secure.

Some of the infection control measures that are typically implemented at NABH-accredited hospitals include:

• Hand hygiene protocols
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of the premises
• Separate working areas for ailing and non-ailing staff and patients
• Identification and monitoring of high-risk patients and staff
• Implementation of isolation protocols
• Adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Posting notices to remind staff and patients about safety protocols

These measures help to ensure that the hospital environment is free of possible sources of infection. NABH-accredited hospitals take infection control very seriously and are committed to providing their patients with safe, hygienic, and secure healthcare experiences.

5. NABH hospitals offer better patient care 

NABH hospitals strive to provide the highest quality of care to patients and use best practices to ensure satisfaction. Many hospitals require continuous quality improvement to maintain their accreditation status and are committed to implementing the best practices.

Here are some of the key areas where NABH hospitals offer better patient care:

1. Improved medical and surgical care: NABH hospitals use a standardized medical management system and ensure that procedures and medications are prescribed according to the best practices.
2. Improved Infection Control: As mentioned earlier, NABH hospitals have stringent measures to control and prevent infections, thus improving the health outcomes of patients.
3. Comprehensive Report Preparation and Follow-Up: NABH hospitals ensure that their reports are based on accurate data and that the follow-up of patients is timely and comprehensive.
4. Training and Continuous Education: The NABH sets guidelines for hospitals to ensure that all staff members have access to ongoing education and training to keep up with current best practices.
5. Quality Equipment and Supplies: NABH hospitals are well-equipped with the latest technologies to provide quality patient care; they also maintain the quality of equipment and supplies.
6. Quality Assurance: NABH hospitals are monitored for their performance, and have a system in place to ensure compliance with all accreditation standards.

6. NABH hospitals have lower mortality rates 

NABH hospitals are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and that is reflected in their mortality rates. Some of the reasons for the lower mortality rate are:

1. Access to qualified medical staff: NABH requires accredited hospitals to employ qualified medical staff who are well-trained in the latest treatments and practices.
2. Access to quality equipment and medicines: NABH-accredited hospitals must use only the best equipment and medicines, ensuring the highest standard of patient care.
3. Compliance with accreditation standards: To maintain accreditation status, hospitals must adhere to the highest standards of care, which include following protocols and procedures related to patient care.
4. Improved infection control: NABH hospitals take stringent measures to minimize the risk of infections, which can lead to lower mortality rates.
5. Regular quality reviews: NABH-accredited hospitals are required to conduct regular reviews of their services to ensure they are meeting the highest standards.
6. Follow-up and monitoring: To ensure quality care, NABH-accredited hospitals must perform follow-up and monitoring of their patients to ensure the best possible outcomes.
7. Continuous training and education: To ensure staff are up to date on the latest developments in their field, NABH requires hospitals to provide continuous training and education to their staff.

7. NABH hospitals have shorter hospital stays 

NABH-accredited hospitals are committed to providing the most efficient and secure care for their patients that is possible. By adopting the highest standards of care, hospitals are able to considerably reduce the length of hospital stays.

Some of the reasons for shorter hospital stays include:

1. Quick diagnosis: NABH-accredited hospitals have access to the most modern diagnostic equipment and technology, enabling them to make quick and accurate diagnoses.
2. Timely treatments: With quick diagnosis comes the ability to provide timely treatments, reducing the time the patient spends in the hospital.
3. Streamlined care: NABH-accredited hospitals are able to provide streamlined care for their patients, eliminating unnecessary tests and procedures that can lengthen a patient’s stay.
4. Continuity of care: NABH hospitals take measures to ensure that the same care and treatment plan is administered at all times, thus reducing hospital stays.
5. Respect for the patient: All NABH-accredited hospitals must respect their patients’ rights and wishes, reducing unnecessary hospital stays.
6. Patient education: To ensure their patients are well informed about their treatment, NABH hospitals are required to provide them with proper education throughout their stay.
7. Follow-up care: To ensure the best possible outcomes, NABH hospitals take measures to provide follow-up care to their patients, reducing the need for lengthy hospital stays.

8. NABH-accredited hospitals have higher patient satisfaction rates 

NABH-accredited hospitals also have higher patient satisfaction rates. High patient satisfaction is one of the core focuses of NABH standards and accreditation. Patient satisfaction is improved due to the following provisions:

1. Quality care: NABH-accredited hospitals are committed to providing the highest quality of care to their patients.
2. Safety: NABH hospitals follow strict safety protocols, which reduces the risk of medical errors and leads to higher patient satisfaction.
3. Transparency: NABH hospitals are committed to providing complete transparency to their patients and their families so that they can make informed decisions about their care.
4. Accessibility: NABH hospitals have made sure that their services are easily accessible to their patients.
5. Patient advocacy: NABH hospitals will ensure that their patients have a voice and are given the opportunity to speak up about their concerns and be heard.
6. Innovative practices: NABH hospitals are constantly working to adopt the latest practices that will help reduce wait times, enhance care, and improve patient satisfaction.

1. Patient education/information: NABH hospitals are dedicated to educating their patients on their conditions and treatments, providing them with the necessary information they need to make informed decisions.

Ultimately, these provisions lead to higher patient satisfaction levels and better health outcomes, which is why the accreditation of NABH hospitals is so important.

9. NABH hospitals are more efficient 

Efficiency is a key factor in the successful running of any hospital. NABH standards help hospitals to become more efficient in their day-to-day operations, as well as in their patient care. This is achieved through the implementation of certain strategies and practices that are beneficial to both their staff and their patients. These strategies focus on improving hospital efficiency by managing resources, improving processes, and reducing waste.

NABH-accredited hospitals are committed to improving efficiency through the implementation of strategies such as the following:

• Reducing administrative burden: NABH hospitals use digital systems and technologies to reduce bureaucracy and streamline workflow by providing automated processes.
• Automation: NABH hospitals also use automation technologies to reduce human errors, improve the accuracy and speed of processes, and reduce time and resource wastage.
• Standardization: NABH hospitals strive to standardize all processes, from data entry to patient care, ensuring all staff are following the same procedures and protocols.
• Continuous improvement: NABH hospitals are dedicated to continuous improvement processes, which lead to improved efficiency and better quality of care.

These strategies are essential in helping NABH-accredited hospitals become more efficient in their daily operations and providing high-quality care to their patients.

10. NABH-accredited hospitals have better staff morale 

NABH-accredited hospitals also have better staff morale. This is due to the fact that NABH emphasizes the importance of employee wellbeing and satisfaction in their standards.

NABH standards provide guidelines on staff training, communication, and mental health. These standards also ensure that employees receive proper training and support in order to perform effectively and efficiently. As a result, the staff at NABH-accredited hospitals have higher morale and satisfaction with their job.

In addition, NABH-accredited hospitals are committed to continuous improvement and strive to provide the best possible patient care. This commitment to excellence helps to boost morale as employees feel they are part of a successful and respected institution.

High staff morale also has a direct impact on patient care. Studies show that hospitals with higher staff morale provide better quality care than those with lower staff morale. A satisfied workforce that is motivated and committed to the success of their hospital is essential in providing excellent care for their patients.

11. NABH certification is a sign of hospital quality

NABH certification is a sign of hospital quality that is often taken into account by insurance companies and regulatory authorities. NABH certification demonstrates that a hospital meets the highest standards in terms of patient safety, quality of care and services, and management.

Being NABH-certified shows that a hospital has met the stringent standards of accreditation and goes beyond the base requirements of other accrediting bodies. This carries advantages for the hospital in terms of governmental incentives, improved visibility and credibility, and improved access to services and resources.

For example, NABH-certified hospitals may potentially be eligible for grants and funding for patient safety initiatives as well as for research, staff training, and emergency medical services. Being NABH certified may also increase the hospital’s visibility in the media and in the general public, as well as the trust and confidence of the public.