Be recognized!

This post would focus on the Accreditation of the hospitals in Malaysia.

History:

The Malaysian Healthcare Accreditation Programme was develeped on 1st October, 1999 when Memorendum of Understanding (MoU) was sigend by Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), The Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM), and Malaysian Society for Quality in Healthcare (MSQH). WHO Consultant from Australia has been providing the guidelines but local needs and conditions are also incoporated in developing the process and standards.

The quality of the standards include:

1. Accessibility of care

2. Safety

3. Appropriateness and effectiveness of care

4. Patient centeredness

5. Efficiency

6. Competency of the health care provider.

Standards:

1.Organisation and Management

2.Human Resource and Management

3.Policies and Procedures

4.Facilities and Equipment; and

5.Quality Improvement Activities

6.Safety 

Acreditation process:

The Accreditation process is started with training process by MSQH. Training is needed  for the introduction of the standards to the hospital. Next, gap analysis is carried out and action needed to be taken to bridge the gap is performed. Then, self assessment is performed once the hospitals has confidence of substantial compliance to standards. The formal request to the MSQH is made after. 

 Accreditation Surveys:

 Basically, there are three process in Accreditation Surveys; Opening Meeting, Surveys and Closing Meeting. In opening meeting, the hospital management give briefing about the hospital. This is followed by the introduction of the Survey Team and briefing on the conduct of survey by chief surveyor.The survey is then conducted across the hospital including night visits. Closing meeting ends the process. In this meeting, the surveyors brief the hospital about their findings and the staff can raise any points. 

Accreditation Award:

Basically, there are three outcomes of the surveys: 3 Years Accreditation, 1 Year Accreditation or No Accreditation. The outcomes made by the surveyors on the basis of hospital performance. The reccomendation of the hospital is submitted together with detailed report to MSQH Council to decide.3 Years Accreditation is awarded to the hospital that has substantially complied with standards. 1 Year Accreditation Years is awarded for the hospital that is generally complied but there were certain areas that need to be addressed. Focus Survey can be then conducted within a year after accreditation to reevaluate the area that need to be addressed. If the hospital is found to be compliant, additional 2 Years Accreditation is awarded to the hospital. If not, the accreditation will be withdrawn. No Accreditation will be awarded for the hospitals that do not comply with the standards. 

References:

1. Abraham, M. 2007. Hospital Accreditation In Malaysia.

     [online accessed on November 10 2010]
    URL: (http://www.quality.kck.usm.my/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=130)
2. MSQH. 2010. Accreditation In Malaysia. Accreditation Process.

     [online accessed on November 10 2010]

     URL: (http://www.msqh.com.my/Acc_Overview.aspx)