Hospital accreditation processes in Saudi Arabia: a thematic analysis of hospital staff experiences

Abstract

BackgroundHospital accreditation by an international organisation can play an important role in health quality and safety. However, little is known about how managers and front-line employees experience and perceive the effects of accreditation. Their views could inform quality improvement processes and procedures.ObjectiveTo explore perceptions of employees at the managerial level on the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation process and its impact on quality of patient care in Saudi Arabian JCI-accredited hospitals.MethodsWe undertook a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives of senior staff from three accredited public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Interviews were transcribed prior to thematic analysis.ResultsTwenty managers participated in the interviews. The following inter-related themes emerged concerning the JCI accreditation process and its impact on quality of patient care: drivers for the change; the plan for the change; the process of the change; maintaining changes post-accreditation and patients’ issues. Participants were positive in their accounts of: drivers for the change; planning for the change needed to achieve accreditation and managing patients’ issues. However, participants reported less favourably on: the process of the change; and maintaining changes post-accreditation.ConclusionThe planning stage was perceived as the easiest component of JCI accreditation. Implementing and maintaining changes post-accreditation that demonstrably promote patient safety and quality of care was perceived as more difficult. When planning for accreditation, institutions need to incorporate strategies to ensure that improvements to care continue beyond the accreditation period.

Examining the Influence of Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation Surveys on Medication Safety Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study from Mediclinic Welcare Hospital in Dubai, UAE

“…All healthcare professionals viewed the planning stage as a favorable aspect of JCI accreditation. However, their perceptions varied regarding implementing and sustaining post-accreditation changes 84 .…”

Perceptions of Chinese hospital leaders on joint commission international accreditation: a qualitative study

“…Compared with healthcare professionals, the administrative staff was more satisfied with implementing JCI standards ( 7 ). Evidence indicated perceived benefits of pursuing and implementing JCI accreditation, such as improving the quality of training and education ( 8 ), building up quality improvement and patient safety culture ( 9 ), reducing variation in medical care ( 10 ), valuing the organizational change ( 5 ), and enhance hospital branding ( 11 ). However, there was no consensus among hospital managers about whether or not JCI accreditation had an enduring impact on the improvement ( 9 ).…”

“…Evidence indicated perceived benefits of pursuing and implementing JCI accreditation, such as improving the quality of training and education ( 8 ), building up quality improvement and patient safety culture ( 9 ), reducing variation in medical care ( 10 ), valuing the organizational change ( 5 ), and enhance hospital branding ( 11 ). However, there was no consensus among hospital managers about whether or not JCI accreditation had an enduring impact on the improvement ( 9 ). Side effects of implementing JCI standards were perceived, such as the preparation of JCI distracted healthcare workers from daily clinical work ( 8 ), requiring substantial monetary resources ( 10 ), and being time-consuming ( 11 ).…”

Improvement Motivation, Communication, And Engagement Human Resources For Accreditation Hospitals With “Photovoice

“…When planning for accreditation, institutions need to incorporate strategies to ensure that improvements to care continue after the accreditation period. (Al Mansour et al, 2022). The accreditation model is comprehensive and has been implemented to improve the quality of services and patients' safety.…”