The seventh round of hospital accreditation in Iran has begun with the aim of improving the quality of medical services and patient safety. Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, the Minister of Health, emphasized at the opening ceremony of this round that accreditation should shift towards evaluating the quality of treatment processes, patient safety, and interactions with patients.
Change of Approach in Hospital Evaluations
Zafarghandi explained that in this round, hospital evaluators will examine new metrics that not only include physical facilities but also pay special attention to management and professional ethics. According to him, this change of approach aims for a deeper examination of the services provided to patients and to prevent their confusion during the treatment process.
The Minister of Health also noted that in previous years, hospital evaluations were mostly limited to medical equipment, but in this round, the quality of processes and staff training will also be a central focus. He added, "Patients should encounter professional and respectful behavior from staff upon entering the hospital."
Use of Modern Technologies and Artificial Intelligence
One of the most important changes in the new round is the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence tools in the accreditation process. Zafarghandi stated that old methods such as paper and checklists should give way to advanced tools and modern platforms. These changes will allow the Ministry of Health to evaluate service quality more accurately.
Seyed Sajjad Razavi, the Deputy Minister of Health, also pointed out that the accreditation approach has shifted towards examining processes, emphasizing that evaluators should conduct their assessments without being influenced by the hospital's location or its officials. He also highlighted the importance of preserving the human capital of evaluators and utilizing the capacities of the private sector.
Key Themes and the Future of Accreditation
The Minister of Health also referred to the results of a survey indicating that the presence of a doctor at the patient's bedside is very important for patients. This issue should be considered in the hospital evaluation process. Razavi also mentioned that hospitals achieving top rankings can serve as an incentive for improving service quality.
Ultimately, with the start of the seventh round of accreditation, it is expected that the new metrics will help enhance service quality, patient safety, and their satisfaction. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that despite existing challenges, it will not retreat from the standards of medical service quality.
