The licensing system of Dutch hospitals: a method for quality assurance in health care

The Dutch licensing system for hospitals is an outstanding example of quality assurance through indirect legislation. In this method the government sets the general frame within which hospitals are free to establish their own procedures. Some requisites for effectiveness and efficiency of a licensing system are formulated. It is argued that if hospitals and health professionals do not fulfil certain requirements when establishing regulatory mechanisms on a voluntary basis, the government will have to intervene with a view to protect the patient.