[The accreditation program in hospitals: Clalit Health Services experience]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Quality Improvement
• Organizational Assessment

Context:

• Healthcare accreditation is an established international practice for assessing healthcare organizations against quality standards.
• While research on accreditation benefits is limited, it's linked to improved care quality.
• Unlike licensing or ISO audits, accreditation focuses on comprehensive organizational quality.

Purpose:

• To examine the status and implications of healthcare accreditation, particularly in Israel.
• To highlight the role of international accreditation bodies like Joint Commission International (JCI).
• To assess the potential of a national accreditation scheme for improving Israeli hospital quality.

Summary:

• Accreditation assesses healthcare organizations to ensure they meet quality improvement requirements.
• Leading international bodies include The Joint Commission (USA), Accreditation Canada, ACHS (Australia), and The King's Fund (UK).
• Israel currently lacks a national accreditation system, relying on Ministry of Health audits and specific professional council reviews.

Impact:

• Clalit Health Services is the first Israeli organization to achieve JCI accreditation, with three hospitals accredited and four pursuing it.
• Implementing a national accreditation scheme in Israel presents challenges but is crucial for advancing hospital quality.
• International accreditation serves as a benchmark, driving quality improvements in healthcare organizations.