Accreditation of hospitals in Lebanon: is it a worthy investment?
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Saleh SS; Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, 1107 2020 Beirut, Lebanon. ss117@aub.edu.lb; Bou Sleiman J; Dagher D; Sbeit H; Natafgi N
- Source
- Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9434628 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1464-3677 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13534505 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Qual Health Care Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Objective: This study explores the views of Lebanese hospitals on the worthiness of accreditation vis-à-vis its associated expenses in addition to examining the type and source of financial investments incurred during the accreditation process.
Design: Observational cross-sectional design.
Participants: All private short-stay hospitals registered with the Syndicate of Private Hospitals in Lebanon (110 hospitals).
Main Outcome Measure: Hospital's views on the worthiness of accreditation in lieu of its associated expenses. Other measures explored included areas of expenditure increase and sources of expenses coverage for accreditation.
Results: Three-fifths of responding hospitals (63% response rate) considered accreditation as a worthy investment. Favorable views on accreditation were mostly related to its effect on enhanced quality and safety culture. Unfavorable views regarding the worthiness of accreditation investment were justified by absence of link with enhanced tariffs from payers (25.7%). All hospitals incurred increased expenses due to accreditation. Areas of highest increase included training of staff (95.7%), consultants' costs (80.0%) and infrastructure maintenance (77.1%). Most of the hospitals covered expenses through internal absorption (52%) or bank loans (45.7%).
Conclusions: The financial burden of accreditation on hospitals has to be factored in the decision of its adoption at a national level, especially in developing countries.