The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), which was founded in 2005 and is overseen by the Quality Council of India (QCI), is an independent organization.
The NABH is in charge of developing the strategy, general policy, and constitution, as well as overseeing the QCI standards. The NABH standards provide a framework for quality assurance, quality control, and quality improvement that is based on national and international standards and focuses on patient safety and healthcare quality.
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Why is National Accreditation Board for Hospitals And Healthcare Providers (NABH) required for hospitals?
Ensuring Excellence in Healthcare: The Need for National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)
In the complex and vital realm of healthcare, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) emerges as a crucial entity, addressing a myriad of needs that contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare standards. Let’s explore the compelling reasons why NABH is indispensable:
Upholding Stringent Standards:
Navigating Healthcare Standards: One primary need fulfilled by NABH is the establishment and enforcement of stringent healthcare standards. In a world where precision and reliability are paramount in healthcare delivery, these standards act as a compass, guiding healthcare providers toward excellence.
Patient-Centric Approach:
Prioritizing Patient Care: The emphasis on a patient-centric approach is another pivotal need met by NABH. Patients aren’t merely recipients of medical services; they are individuals deserving of compassion, respect, and the highest quality of care. NABH ensures that healthcare providers align with this philosophy, fostering an environment where patients are at the center of healthcare decisions.
Building Trust and Reliability:
Quality Assurance Measures: In a sector where trust is non-negotiable, NABH steps in to provide assurance through rigorous quality assurance measures. The accreditation becomes a testament to a healthcare provider’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards, building trust with patients, and ensuring reliability in healthcare delivery.
Elevating Professionalism:
Setting Benchmarks for Excellence: The need for professionalism in healthcare cannot be overstated. NABH plays a pivotal role in elevating the level of professionalism among healthcare providers. From skilled personnel to ethical practices, NABH sets benchmarks that not only meet but exceed industry standards.
Global Recognition And Collaboration:
Opening Global Avenues: In an era of interconnectedness, global recognition is imperative. NABH accreditation provides healthcare institutions with not just a local but a global identity. This recognition opens avenues for international collaborations, fostering an exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Encouraging Continuous Innovation:
Driving Healthcare Advancements: The dynamic nature of healthcare requires continuous innovation. NABH recognizes this need and encourages healthcare providers to adopt innovative practices. This not only ensures they stay at the forefront of healthcare advancements but also contributes to the overall progress of the healthcare industry.
Bridging Healthcare Gaps:
Enhancing Accessibility: NABH addresses the critical need for enhanced healthcare accessibility. Accredited facilities are not just symbols of excellence; they actively contribute to bridging healthcare gaps by reaching underserved communities
Types of NABH Accreditation:
NABH Entry-Level Certification
Because a large number of hospitals are having difficulty adopting all of the Accreditation Criteria, NABH has created Pre-Accreditation – Entry Level Certification standards to improve patient safety and care. The goal is to educate hospitals and clinics on quality and accreditation as the first step toward awareness, as well as various advantages. There are ten chapters, 45 standards, and 167 objective aspects to follow in the NABH Entry Level Standards of Hospitals.
The Benefits of NABH Pre-Accreditation Entry-Level Standards
Patient Benefits: NABH pre-accreditation Entry Level NABH standards aid in the improvement of patient safety and care quality.
- The rights of patients are protected and respected.
- Trained & skilled medical staff service the patients.
Benefits for Hospitals: The administration of hospitals is urged to enhance the hospital’s internal operations on a constant basis.
- Enables hospital commitment to quality care.
- Raises confidence in the services provided by the hospital.
Hospital Staff Benefits: An Entry-Level accredited hospital’s personnel is concerned about quality and patient safety, and they are content because it provides a pleasant working environment, consistent leadership, and ownership of clinical operations.
- Providing leadership for quality improvement in nursing and medicine by improving the overall specialized development of Para Medical Staff and Clinicians.
Cashless Benefits:
It allows insurance companies and other third parties access (Private and Govt. insurance bodies). It offers infrastructure, as well as credible and validated information about facilities and care levels.
Preparing for NABH Accreditation

The hospital management must develop a plan of action for attaining accreditation and nominate a responsible person or entity to oversee all aspects of the accreditation process. Digitalsukhwinder is a committed staff that assists hospitals with achieving 100% NABH compliance. There have been significant revisions to NABH rules recently, which will be incorporated in hospital echo systems prior to the NABH team assessment. Our personnel has been extensively educated to cater to hospitals and fill their need.
Below are a few of the steps for NABH Accreditation preparation:
- An official shall be nominated and the officer should be familiar with the existing hospital quality assurance system.
- The hospital seeking accreditation shall be familiar with the NABH assessment procedure.
- The appointed offer shall ensure that the standards are implemented in the organization.
- The aspirant hospital must have conducted a self-assessment against NABH standards three months prior to submitting the application form and must ensure that it complies with NABH Standards.
NABH Pre Accreditation Entry Level Standards Assessment Criteria
- The NABH Pre Accreditation Entry Level criteria will be checked by the assessment/inspection team. The hospital must be able to show that all NABH Pre Accreditation Entry Level requirements are being followed, if applicable.
- Any hospital and clinic keen to apply for NABH\ Pre Accreditation Entry Level must implement the Standards of Hospitals which have 10 chapters 45 standards and 167 objective elements in its organization
Full NABH Accreditation:
After obtaining NABH Pre Accreditation Entry Level Certification, the HCO prepares and goes to the next step, known as Progressive Level, before applying for full accreditation. The HCOs use NABH’s entire certification process, which offers a step-by-step and dramatic approach. Self-assessment of NABH pre-accreditation Entry Level criteria is required of the aspirant hospital.
Benefits of NABH Accreditation:
There are various benefits to all the stakeholders of the organization, a few of them are listed below:
- It systemizes the hospital processes and protocols
- It gives a huge recognition to the Hospital
- It improves the quality and standard of healthcare
- Gives a safe workplace and job satisfaction to employees
- Recognition of the hospital gives recognition to all hospital staff.
- Ensures safety parameters are up to mark
- Continuous improvement and enhanced productivity of the operations
- The hospital shall service global patients
- Enhances the professional development of the staff
- Patients will be protected and well-respected
- The recognition increases the patient flow and boosts revenue
- Patent happiness is regularly monitored resulting in more polite staff, less waiting, better services, and amenities.
NABH Accreditation Procedure
Step 1 – Application Submission to NABH: The hospital shall apply to NABH in the recommended application form. The application shall accommodate the following:
- Process the application fee as described in the application form
- Self-declaration of Terms and Conditions described by NABH
- Fill in the Self-Assessment form as suggested by NABH.
- Prepare hospital manual/quality standards (as per NABH standards)
- Upload the relevant documents, i.e.
- Different policies and procedures of the hospital
- Fire NOC
- Lift NOC (If lift available)
- MCA related NOC
- Police NOC
- Pollution NOC
- ID and address proof of the proposed directors
- Bank statement/Mobile Bill/Electricity Bill/Telephone Bill
- Number of shares to be allotted
- Details of the shareholding percentage to be allotted to each subscriber
- Objects of the proposed Company
- Any special clauses to be inculcated in the Memorandum and Articles of Associations
- Signage NOC and other relevant documents related to hospital approval.
Step 2 – Application review By the NABH team: Post receivable of the NABH application, the application form shall be scrutinized and an acknowledgment letter for the submission shall be issued to the hospital along with a unique reference number.
Step 3 – Pre-Assessment: The next step is for NABH align a Principal Inspector/ Valuation Team who is accountable for the pre-assessment of the hospital. The objective of the Pre-assessment is as below:
- Check the preparation of the hospital for the final assessment
- Review the scope of authorization and determine the prerequisite of the number of assessors and the duration of the accreditation
- Review of the documentation/SOPs of the hospital
- Clarify the practice to be adopted for assessment.
Step 4 – Final Assessment: The applicant hospital is mandatory to take essential corrective action to the unconventionality pointed out during the pre-assessment. The final valuation includes a full review of hospital functions and services.
Issue of Accreditation Certificate: Upon the above steps, NABH shall issue an accreditation certificate to the hospital for the duration of three years. The certificate is accompanied by a scope of accreditation.
Step 5 – Surveillance and Reassessment: As discussed above accreditation of the hospital is valid for a period of three years. NABH team conducts one investigation of the accredited hospitals in one accreditation cycle of three years. The medical establishment shall apply for the renewal of accreditation at least six months before the expiry of validity.
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