Dr. Harish Nadkarni, CEO, NABH has both clinical and quality management qualifications. On clinical side, he is MD and DGO in Gynecology and Obstetrics and has been a postgraduate teacher. He has an experience of clinical practice of over 25 years.
On the quality management side, he has been a lead assessor for ISO 9000, Six Sigma Black Belt and trained in various methodologies of quality management such as Process Improvement, Designing for Six Sigma, Total Productivity Maintenance, etc.
He has provided consultancy to more than 25 healthcare organizations for certification to ISO 9000, NABL, QCI Yoga School Standards and Accreditations to NABH & JCI.
He has carried many projects with six sigma methodologies related to healthcare sector, service and manufacturing sectors.
NABH Role in public health
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a constituent board of Quality Council of India (QCI), set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organizations. NABH has been established with the objective of enhancing health system & promoting continuous quality improvement and patient safety. The board while being supported by all stakeholders, including industry, consumers, government, has full functional autonomy in its operation.
NABH provides accreditation to hospitals in a non-discriminatory manner regardless of their ownership, size and degree of independence.
International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) has accredited “Standards for Hospitals”, 4th Edition, 2015 under its International Accreditation Programme for a cycle of 4 years (April 2016 to March 2020). The approval of ISQua authenticates that NABH standards are in consonance with the global benchmarks set by ISQua. The hospitals accredited by NABH have international recognition. This will provide boost to medical tourism.
Vision: To be apex national healthcare accreditation and quality improvement body, functioning at par with global benchmarks.
Mission: To operate accreditation and allied programs in collaboration with stakeholders focusing on patient safety and quality of healthcare based upon national/international standards,
through process of self and external evaluation.
NABH Activities
NABH Accreditation Programs: NABH offers accreditation to Hospital, Blood Bank, Eye Care, SHCO/ Nursing Homes, OST Centers, CHC/PHC, AYUSH hospitals, Wellness Centers, Medical Imaging Services, Dental Centers, Allopathic Clinics, Ethics Committees.
NABH Certification Programs: NABH offers certification to Safe-I, Medical Laboratory, Nursing Excellence, Emergency Department, Medical Value Travel Facilitator (MVTF), Pre-Accreditation Entry Level for Hospitals, Pre-Accreditation Entry Level for SHCO.
NABH International: NABH has started its operations overseas under NABH International (NABH I). It offers all accreditation programs as being offered in India. The program is unique as in addition to the accreditation standards it requires compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Training & Education: NABH conducts Education/Interactive Workshop, Awareness and Implementation Programmes.
Some of the aspects that NABH Standards cover are given below:
• Access, Assessment and Continuity: Access of services, Assessment of patients, Laboratory Quality System, Imaging Quality System, Discharge Process.
• Care of the patient: Process of Care of Patients, Vulnerable, Obstetric, Pediatric patients, Surgical and Anesthesia Safety.
• Management of Medications: Formulary, Procurement, Purchase, Storage, Dispensing, Administration, disposal of medications, Medications Safety, High Risk Medications
• Patient Rights and Education: Consent Process, Information on Disease, Treatment Options, Costs, Expected outcome
• Hospital Infection Control: Hand Washing, Antibiotic Use, Sterilization, Operation Theatre Environment
• Continuous Quality Improvement: Outcome and Process improvements, Patient safety.
• Responsibility of Management: Updating of Licenses, Ethical Issues
• Facility Maintenance System: Safety of patients, Fire protection, Disaster Management
• Human Resources Management: Staffing patterns, Training, Appraisals
• Information Management: Confidentiality, Safety, Integrity of Information, Medical Records Management
Through the above chapters, NABH attempts to bring in safety and quality of healthcare as delivered through the accredited hospitals.
Sd./- Dr. Harish Nadkarni CEO, NABH
