How can Iran’s hospital accreditation standards align with ISQua?

BACKGROUND: Hospital accreditation is a voluntary program that external evaluators evaluate hospitals based on predetermined standards. Well-designed standards play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of accreditation namely improving quality and ensuring patient safety. The aim of this study is to compare Iran's hospital accreditation standards with the requirements of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) and propose corrective measures to enhance service quality. METHODS: This study employed a mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) sequential explanatory design, conducted between 2022 and 2023. Data were collected from 233 employees involved in the accreditation process at selected hospitals and analyzed using Excel software, based on a researcher-developed checklist aligned with ISQua requirements. Additionally, 19 accreditation experts were interviewed using a content analysis approach, and corrective solutions were proposed. The qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. RESULTS: Compliance with ISQua's standards averaged 0.80, with the content and framework of standards scoring 0.82 and 0.76, respectively. High compliance was observed in patient referrals (0.99), while quality care reporting exhibited notably low compliance (0.33). The recommended solutions were categorized into three main areas: revising standards, improving the education process, and reforming governance policies. Furthermore, 20 subthemes were identified. CONCLUSION: The results indicate satisfactory compliance with the accreditation standards of Iranian hospitals aligned with ISQua's guidelines. Therefore, it is crucial to implement both corrective measures and supplementary initiatives to enhance these standards and better align them with ISQua Association's requirements. To identify opportunities for improving Iran's accreditation standards, it is necessary to revise the structure and composition of these standards in accordance with the findings and to reflect the diverse range of hospitals across the country. By evaluating the standards based on evidence and real-world conditions, steps can be taken to advance the current status and achieve the objectives of accreditation. Additionally, the continuous and practical training of managers and stakeholders involved with the standards is key recommendation of this study.