Accreditation, Quality of Care, and Staff Behavior in Healthcare

This report delves into the significant impact of accreditation on healthcare quality, exploring its correlation with improved patient care and a reduction in errors within accredited hospitals. It examines the relationship between accreditation and staff behavior, highlighting how quality concerns initiate changes in healthcare professionals' practices. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the value of accreditation in promoting trust and quality services, while also discussing the importance of basing accreditation on results to ensure competence and effective healthcare delivery. The report also includes a discussion on the link between accreditation and quality improvement in Local Health Departments (LHDs), analyzing how the accreditation process can identify areas for future quality improvement work and the impact of site visits and reports on agency practices. The analysis incorporates the benefits of accreditation, such as improved policies, teamwork, and staff appreciation of public health services.

Running head: ACCREDITATION 1
Accreditation
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

ACCREDITATION 2
Accreditation
Does Accreditation Impact the Quality of Care?
Accreditation has a great impact on the quality of care. There is a significantly positive
correlation between accreditation and the quality of care (Chen et al., 2003). In other words,
accreditation improves the quality of care in the hospital setting. Often, achieving accreditation
requires healthcare professionals to be held at high standards of patient care. On the other hand,
most hospitals strive to achieve certification. Hence, accreditation serves a significant role in
ensuring the hospital entity sticks to its primary goal (quality services to the patients). In so
doing, accreditation ends up improving the quality of healthcare services in the hospital setting.
Are There Fewer Errors in Hospitals that are Accredited?
There are fewer errors in hospitals that are accredited compared to the ones which are
not. Often, accreditation is the process which identifies that a particular healthcare organization
is up to the standards in providing quality healthcare services. In other words, the organization is
upheld to deliver quality services following the composition of potential professionals in the
firm. In so doing, accreditation tends to change the behavior of the healthcare organization
professionals and their leaders who strive at maintaining their certification. Professionals who
are up to the standards of accreditation commit minimal errors and accidents in the treatment
process when compared to ones who are not. Furthermore, such professionals tend to
acknowledge the principles of promoting patients safety, thus ultimately reducing the number of
errors in the hospital setting. Therefore, accredited hospitals have minimal errors compared to
the ones that are not accredited.
What is the value of accreditation?

ACCREDITATION 3
It is naïve and irrational to underestimate the importance of accreditation in the
healthcare system. Accreditation has unlimited significance in the healthcare sector. Most
importantly, accreditation serves a significant role in promoting quality services to the patients
(Johnson, & Sollecito, 2013). Every hospital has its own set of rules and regulations that
streamline the nature of operations. However, accreditation principles act as the guiding
background upon which such rules are generated. Furthermore, accreditation serves a significant
role in promoting trust from the community and patients. Patients tend to be satisfied with the
services from accredited hospitals. As a result, healthcare providers feel appreciated and
motivated to maintain quality services to patients.
Do Quality Concerns Initiate Changes in Staff Behavior
Quality concerns initiate behavioral changes among staff. Currently, health care providers
are expected to undergo self-assessment and development programs with respect to their past
experiences. In this case, healthcare providers can utilize various models like the Gibbs Model
and assess their effectiveness in the work area. The fundamental role of this initiative is to enable
healthcare providers to address quality concerns in their area of practice (Garfolo, & L'Huillier,
2015). The initiative not only provides them a chance to generate new ideas, approaches, and
courses of action with respect to their area of practice but also execute programs to promote their
competence in case such scenarios repeat themselves. Hence, quality concerns shape the
behaviors of the staff.
Should Accreditation Be Based on Results?
It is important for accreditation to be based on results (Mckim, 2001). Some professionals
may possess all the certifications necessary in the delivery of quality healthcare practices but

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lack the potential to execute the same in real-life situation. In such a scenario, it would be naïve
to accredit their respective healthcare system since incompetence shall be the order of the day.
However, results are a true reflection of the practical part of the theoretical knowledge which
should guide the accreditation process.

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References
Chen, J., Rathore, S. S., Radford, M. J., & Krumholz, H. M. (2003). JCAHO accreditation and
quality of care for acute myocardial infarction. Health Affairs, 22(2), 243-254.
Johnson, J.K., & Sollecito, W. A. (2013). McLaughlin & Kaluzny's Continuous quality
improvement in health care (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Garfolo, B. T., & L'Huillier, B. (2015). Demystifying Assessment: The Road to
Accreditation. Journal of College Teaching & Learning, 12(3), 151-170.
Mckim, K., 2001. ACA’s Performance-Based Health Care Standards-Accreditation Based on
Results [online]. Retrieved from:
https://studydaddy.com/attachment/118454/ACAsPerformanceBasedHealthCareStandard
s.pdf