Today health and quality of treatment have become important, and it is insufficient to choose a hospital by the name or facility alone. It is essential to know whether the provision of safety and quality is on par at the hospital where you are going for treatment. For this, there are two things – the accreditation of the hospital and quality ratings.
The article will tell you how you can check this in detail, which websites and sources are reliable, and what things can be valued keeping in mind.
Importance of hospital accreditation and quality ratings:
Safety assurance
Evidently, the job of every hospital is not just to give treatment to the patient but also to protect him from infection and any other side effects. Those are accredited hospitals which fulfill all these guaranteed standards.
High treatment quality
It involves tasks like a doctor’s efficiency, the training of the nursing staff, and facilities for the patients. So, accreditation and rating proclaim the quality of treatment being rendered at a hospital.
Patient satisfaction and experience
Quality ratings are mainly derived from several factors such as patient satisfaction, infection rates, and readmission rates. They determine how much a patient enjoys their overall experience in a hospital.
Understanding the terms of reference
Accreditation
Accreditation is the fact that the authority of consideration by a recognized body proportionate to the services and operations and specifications of a hospital is aimed at ensuring that safe and quality care is delivered to the hospital. NABH is the top body in India. A NABH accredited hospital follows high safety and cleanliness standards and procedures for treatments.
Quality Ratings
Quality ratings assess a hospital’s general performance and the quality of care it provides, as by many standards:
- Satisfaction of the patient
- Infection rate
- Re-admission rate
- Mortality rate
- High proficiency in specific treatments
This rating helps understand which hospital really performed better and offered a safer level of treatment.
How to Check Hospital Accreditation in India
- Identify the accrediting body: NABH is majorly accredited in India. This body inspects hospitals and services provided in health according to standards and safety regulations.
- Visit NABH website: On its official website, one may find a list of all accredited hospitals. If you are looking for a hospital in any state or city, visit here.
- Hospital website and premises check: An accredited hospital usually hangs or posts a copy of its accreditation certificate somewhere at the entrance, reception or website.
- Special accreditation programs: NABH does not accredit only general hospitals. It offers accreditations for many other healthcare services, such as:
- Digital Health Services
- Blood Banks
- AYUSH Hospitals
- International Hospital Accreditation: If you want to go abroad for your treatment, the most recognized accrediting authority there is Joint Commission International (JCI).
- Accreditation: JCI ensures that the hospital meets international standards of safety and quality.
- The verifying process then depends upon equipment of the hospital, the expertise of doctor, and patient safety. For example, checking JCI accreditation is one step significant before treatment is done in the US, Singapore, or Thailand.
How to Check Quality Ratings
- Use a Dependable Site: Some websites are aimed especially for rates of hospitals. For example, Free Medical Info. You can find the following types of information here:
- Mortality Rate
- Readmission Rate
- Infection Rate
- Patient Satisfaction Score
- Specialty Ratings
- If you are to be treated for a specific ailment, such as heart, cancer, or nephrology, check the hospital’s proficiency in that area. For example, while general provisions can be of good health in an overall sense, that hospital may be lacking within the cardiology department. Therefore, do not rely solely on the overall rating.
Scope of the Rating
Each site assigns ratings based on different criteria. Some may focus more on the patient’s satisfaction, while others, on the technical proficiency of the hospital.
The best way is to extract data from alternative sources and compare them.
Factors to consider in choosing a hospital
Convenience and experience of patient:
Some still prefer to visit hospitals to have an actual consultation. For them, such experience is much more trustworthy. People comfortable with technology, however, will not think twice about doing everything by looking at online information or ratings.
Nature and need of treatment:
Your sickness is a significant reason, and a good hospital must be chosen according to that. Only proper accreditation and ratings are enough for general checkup and follow-up. Keep the doctor, equipment, and international recognition of the hospital in mind for the complex surgery or special treatment.
Location and facilities:
Hospital should be nearby or travel feasible. ICU, oxygen support, and you also check the availability of emergency services.
Pro Tip
Take suggestions from your doctor, family or acquaintances as often local experience proves quite useful.
Actual Example:
Thus if, for instance, you live in Delhi, and your father has some heart disease, you would obviously want to compare treatment in these two hospitals. The first hospital seems good from local ratings but does not have NABH accreditation.
Second hospital is NABH and JCI accredited, but it is slightly costly.
In that case, it could well be said that undergoing a treatment course in an accredited and rated hospital is a safer option, as such hospitals tend to have greater safety, expertise, and better outcomes.
Conclusion
Checking the accreditation and quality rating of a hospital is not just a formality. It is a way to ensure safety and better treatment for you and your family.
- NABH accreditation in India and JCI accreditation internationally are the most trusted.
- Quality ratings are available on various websites, which you can compare and check.
- Don’t just trust the name or facility. Pay attention to accreditation, expertise, ratings, and patient satisfaction.
Remember, a good hospital doesn’t just provide treatment, but it also provides safe, reliable, and high-quality treatment.
