Accreditation in Healthcare
Accreditation is a globally recognized procedure for assessing the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care institutions. It is an evidence-based standard approach that results in improved quality health services as well as a safer environment. The certification method is used in at least 70 countries' health-care systems. The rapid growth has been in motion for the past 40 years, and it is partly due to media reports about large gaps in the supply of safe healthcare services (Nicklin, 2015). The document examines the conclusions of the literature on the influence of health accreditation, as well as the research methods employed in the case study. The last part entails the researcher's findings, article critique and the limitation of the case study.
Review of literature
According to the Journal, accreditation should be a purposeful system and therefore there should be peer reviews which measure the conformity of health care organization. The document examines the impact of accreditation program on quality of healthcare services (Nicklin, 2015). Most accrediting institutions and programs consist of periodic assessments of organizational practices and measurement of their performance against evidence based standards. It is usually done using peer survey, onsite visit and surveyor interviews. The topics discussed in the literature review include:
Quality improvement
For improvement of quality to be established, there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration. To begin with, the quality standards ensure organizations achieve a particular criteria. Secondly, accrediting institutions should revise standards over time and they should be based on up to date research. They should be in line with accepted practices. These two elements prompt high quality ad safe health care that improves patient outcomes (Nicklin, 2015).
26 studies were carried out to evaluate the impact of accreditation. Majority of these studies reflected an accreditation for conditions such as trauma, ambulatory surgical care, pain management, myocardial infraction among others. It was concluded that subspecialty programs significantly improve clinical conditions. Consist evidence shows that these accreditation programs improve care process. They also provide a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes which significantly improve clinical conditions. Lastly, the program need to be supported and adopted globally as a tool that improves quality of healthcare (Nicklin, 2015).
Benefits of Accreditation
The article discusses a number of benefits of accreditation. To begin with, it provides a framework that helps implement systems and improve operational effectiveness. This would result in positive health outcomes. It also improves communication both externally internally. Internal collaboration is between practitioners and management. Accreditation strengthens interdisciplinary and organizational team effectiveness. It also demonstrates credibility and commitment which essentially enhances quality, accountability and professionalism (Mullner, 2009). More so, the approach decreases liability and identifies areas that require additional funding for healthcare. This also ensures a negotiation platform for funding purposes. Among other benefits of the approach include mitigation of risk adverse events, sustainability of quality and improved organizational performance (Nicklin, 2015). It also supports efficiency and effective use of resources in health care system. The technique provides a platform that ensures smooth on going self-analysis of performance in relation to the set standards.
The approach provides an understanding of continuum of care which improves the organization's reputation. Capacity building, organizational learning and professional development are some of the common benefits of accreditation programs (Mullner, 2009). It codifies policies, procedures and ethical frameworks. In addition, the program drives medical reconciliation and provide health care institutions with well-defined vision and strategic goals. Among other benefits includes improvement of internal practice and increased compliance with quality and safety standards. Reliability of lab testing and team building opportunities for staff are also listed among the benefits of accreditation programs. Lastly, it promotes an understanding of how a person's jobs contributes to healthcare as well contribution to job satisfaction. It engenders spill-over effect whereby accreditation programs help improve performance of other areas. Also, it enhances coworker functions, promotes sharing of policies and practice and also promote quality and safe culture within organizations (Mullner, 2009).
Discussion of methodology
The approach employed was a methodical review of literature that evaluates the impacts of accreditation programs. The most effective approach used was the search of databases such as Medline, Embase, Healthstar and Cinhal (Nicklin, 2015). The analysis was based on 26 scientific studies and they were examined to prove the accreditation influence. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the use of clinical enhancement and quality of care as a preventive measure as a result of application accreditation. The use systematic literary works examines the results of the use of certified applications by use of the studies. Among other techniques include study of administrative and clinical data as well study of documentation (Bottle & Aylin, 2016).
Data Analysis
Analysis from each part of the article implies that the data secure the topic on the importance of the accreditation programs. From the article, it is apparent that the usage of the program will have a substantial impact on the problems found in the healthcare system. On employing the use of exterior peer reviewed articles, they verify whether the healthcare institutions have the capacity to fully utilize their facilities in accord with the researched and other uncovered practices. Outsiders are in a much better position to determine the root of the problem as compared to the usual individual operating from with the facility (Bottle & Aylin, 2016). Therefore, this makes the accreditation process a competent application.
Article Critique
The evidence provided in the analysis supports the conclusion because the influence of accreditation is elaborated in the literature review. It is therefore clear that the conclusion is reliable enough to be used as a practice change. However, it has its drawback because it does not have an impact on a particular individual or company culture (Bottle & Aylin, 2016). In a bid to protect human subjects and culture, some policies were taken into consideration. To begin with, the risks posed on the subjects are reasonable in relation to its anticipated benefits. Secondly, the selection of the subjects was on voluntary and thy provided an informed consent (Jensen, 2015). There was adequate provisions that maintain confidentiality of the data on especially on vulnerable culture and populations.
Strengths and limitations of the study
The advantages of the reading is that it was easier to obtain ethical approval because the issue was not controversial but rather straightforward (Nicklin, 2015). Also, there is no questioning of the subject which made the investigation process relatively short. More so, the number of studies conducted (26) ensured that the study process was relatively short. Lastly, there was clear documentation about the contents and therefore the research would find it easy to access the study validity. One limitation is that there were no many studies carried out on this topic and therefore obtaining the sources proved to be a challenge (Abdullah & Shaw, 2011). Moreover, the research work focused on assessing sickness rather the nature of personnel and facilities. The whole process also required substantial time and financing.
How primary Evidence informs Nursing Practice
There are numerous selected impacts of evidence based practice developments n nursing. It enhances nursing treatment quality and therefore improves nursing and healthcare knowledge. More so, the evidence ensures that old ways are done away with and nurses are required to adapt to these new changes (Jensen, 2015). Also, it ensures that health facilities can comply with the set guidelines regarding training and promotion. Performance is also improved based on exterior peer review on the accreditation program (Abdullah & Shaw, 2011).
Researcher's conclusion
A vast majority of the studies established that trauma, contamination management, surgical treatment and acute myocardial infarction enhanced the treatment process and therefore it improved organization's responsiveness as well as proper structures. More so, it provides a broad spectrum on how accreditation ensure that health facilities and personnel are compliant to the set goals and ethical guidelines. Currently, there has been increased monitoring regarding fiscal responsibility and accountability due high complexities and risks in the healthcare industry. Therefore, the study has proved that accreditation ensure that high standards have been met and performance has been significantly improved.
Reference
Abdullah, Alkhenizan and Charles Shaw. (2011). The impact of Accreditation on the Quality of Healthcare Services: a Systematic Review of the Literature. PMC US National Library for Medicine Retrieved 6/8/2016: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156520
Bottle, A., & Aylin, P. (2016). Statistical methods for healthcare performance monitoring.
Jensen, L. A. (2015). The Oxford handbook of human development and culture: An interdisciplinary perspective.
Mullner, R. M. (2009). Encyclopedia of health services research. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Nicklin, Wendy. (2015). The Value and Impact of Health Care Accreditation. Isqua Accreditation.
