Impact of the Accreditation Program of the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions on the Safety Dimension of the Institute of Medicine Quality

Abstract

Background Although hospital accreditation is recognized as a tool for improving healthcare, there are inconsistent results regarding its impact on healthcare quality. In Saudi Arabia, it is mandatory for all Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals to be accredited by the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI). Purpose This study measured the impact of the CBAHI accreditation program on the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) safety dimension in Madinah. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective data gathered from a review of hospital records over 60 months (ie, 12 months before, 36 during, and 12 post-accreditation). The data were analyzed using piecewise (segmented) regression analysis. Results The three indicators (ie: incident reports, medication errors, and nosocomial infection) were continuously improved compared to the data before accreditation, as a results of implementing the CBAHI accreditation program. Therefore, the CBAHI had a significantly positively impacts on MOH hospitals’ safety dimension. Conclusion Complying with the CBAHI standards can help reduce the rates of incident reports, medication errors, nosocomial infections, and post-admission mortality. This study provides insight for MOH hospitals and opportunities to expand the accreditation program to improve the quality of healthcare services.

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Barriers towards the Use of Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) Standards among Saudi Healthcare Providers

“…The results of the current study align with those of a prior investigation on the influence of hospital accreditation on patient safety measures in Hail, Saudi Arabia, which discovered that accreditation improved the culture of incident reporting [32]. This result is consistent with a different investigation into Madinah hospitals' understanding of the event reporting system [33]. The CBAHI accreditation program encouraged hospital employees to uphold the safety requirements established by the government, enhancing the quality of treatment and patient safety.…”

Evolution of the accreditation program for healthcare organizations in KSA: From present to future

“…Furthermore, research studies have shown positive outcomes associated with hospital accreditation in KSA. 14 , 13 For example, a study conducted by Alsaedi et al., in 2019 assessed the impact of accreditation on healthcare quality measures in Saudi Arabian hospitals. The findings revealed that accredited hospitals exhibited improved patient outcomes, including decreased nosocomial infections, and higher rates of the safe use of medications.…”

“…The findings revealed that accredited hospitals exhibited improved patient outcomes, including decreased nosocomial infections, and higher rates of the safe use of medications. 14 …”