NABH Accreditation is typically valid for three years. This applies to both Full NABH Accreditation and NABH Entry-Level Accreditation. However, during this period, healthcare organizations are expected to maintain compliance with NABH standards and continuously improve their processes.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens during and after the accreditation period:
1. Continuous Compliance During the Accreditation Period
- Even after receiving accreditation, hospitals and healthcare facilities must ensure they adhere to the standards on an ongoing basis.
- NABH may conduct surprise inspections or surveillance audits during the three-year period to verify that the hospital is maintaining compliance.
- Accredited organizations are encouraged to conduct internal audits regularly to monitor their performance and address any gaps in compliance.
2. Renewal Process
- Renewal of NABH accreditation is required after the three-year period. The healthcare organization must apply for renewal before the accreditation expires.
- The renewal process involves a reassessment, where NABH auditors evaluate the facility again to ensure it continues to meet the required standards.
- The organization will need to submit a renewal application, provide updated documentation, and undergo another round of audits, similar to the original accreditation process.
3. Reaccreditation
- If the organization successfully passes the reassessment during the renewal process, NABH grants reaccreditation for another three years.
- Reaccreditation often requires demonstrating continuous improvement in quality, safety, and patient care practices, not just maintaining previous standards.
Non-Compliance and Suspension
- If an organization is found to be non-compliant with NABH standards during the accreditation period, NABH may issue a warning, ask for corrective action, or, in extreme cases, suspend or revoke the accreditation.
- Hospitals must submit corrective action reports if non-compliances are identified during any inspections or audits.
In summary, NABH accreditation lasts for three years, after which a healthcare organization needs to undergo a renewal process to maintain its accredited status. Throughout the accreditation period, continuous compliance with NABH standards is crucial, as random checks may occur.