The Australian model of hospital accreditation: a discussion

This article conceptualises aspects of the process of hospital accreditation as it is exhibited in Australia under the auspices of the Australian Council on Hospital Standards (ACHS), and provides reasons for the approach which has developed in this country. Attention is given also to components of the structure of the ACHS. Suggestions are made as to an alternate model which could be adopted in the area of accreditation standards development. Such suggestions may allow for the promotion of an effective means of assessing the functions of the multi-agency health care facilities created by the recent introduction of areaisation in urban NSW.