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Hospitals Evaluated Based on New Criteria

So far, 460 hospitals have received their accreditation certificates.
So far, 460 hospitals have received their accreditation certificates.

All Iranian hospitals have been evaluated based on new and improved standards, according to a deputy health minister.

According to Mohammad Aqajani, around 1,000 hospitals have been assessed by 300 evaluators to receive reaccreditation, ISNA reported.

“So far, 460 hospitals have received their accreditation certificates and the rest will most likely receive their certificates by the end of July,” he said.

Hospitals were assessed based on 903 criteria divided into categories ranging from regulatory inspections to patient satisfaction. Some 400 experts had been consulted when devising the new standards.

“A key parameter that reflects quality of care in a hospital setting is patient satisfaction, which is measured by using standardized questionnaires,” Aqajani said.

The official pointed to the safety of hospital buildings and rate of medical errors as the most significant features of the new assessment, as shown by the fact that 146 of the 903 criteria are related to building safety and medical errors.

According to official figures, last year more than 15,000 complaints were filed by patients against the medical fraternity for negligence. After a probe by courts it was found that in 3,126 cases, medical staff (including physicians and nurses) were culpable.

Hospitals are ranked based on the points they receive during evaluation and can set their prices based on their ranking.

“The assessment will be carried out annually and hospitals that fall in rankings must adjust their tariffs accordingly,” Aqajani said.

Since quality of medical services is important, the assessment will be carried out each year which may see a hospital rise or fall in ranking.

Standardization of services offered in hospitals is one of the three goals of the 2014 Health Reform Plan and accreditation is the best means of achieving the objective.

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