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The process of accreditation can serve as an
effective mechanism for introducing quality and safety standards and
stimulating the continuous improvement of patient care processes and outcomes
in the health-care delivery system in SEAR countries.
Patient safety is a powerful driving force for
quality, and adverse event reporting and response must at the heart of
improving quality and safety of health care delivery systems in the Region.
The process of accreditation can be phased in
according to the needs and resources of a country.
Uniform quality standards should be developed
and applied across the health-care delivery system according to the services
provided
Accreditation should be voluntary and not be a
substitute for licensing.
National accreditation bodies require
sufficient autonomy, human capacity and financial resources in order to
operate effectively and be sustainable.
Accreditation must address the entire
continuum of care and pay special attention to the interfaces between patient
care processes or services.
Accreditation must be centered on the needs of
patients as well as health care providers, and aim to create a culture that
is open to learning and continuous improvement.
Accreditation should seek the active
participation of the public and the public should be represented on the board
of the accreditation body.
Regional networking and exchange of experience
and knowledge among accreditation bodies and international accreditation
experts should be facilitated by WHO SEARO.
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