New Hospital Standards To Be Introduced Next Year

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New hospital standards to be introduced next year

BANGKOK: -- The Institute of Hospital Quality Improvement and Accreditation (HA) is drawing up new hospital standards to push the nation's hospitals into the forefront of medical care in the region.

The announcement today by HA Director Dr. Anuwat Suphachutikul comes at a time when the government is trying to promote Thailand as regional medical hub, and to encourage health tourism from around the globe.

Dr. Anuwat noted that Thai hospitals were increasingly recognising the importance of accreditation, and that many had already received certification including ISO, HA and HPH.

However, he said that the need for flexibility and diversity in accreditation standards, to take account of the different requirements of each hospital, had prompted the HA to revamp its hospital standards system.

The new quality standards will draw on both Thai and foreign accreditation schemes, including regulations from Canada, the US, Australia and France.

While the new scheme will be largely based on existing standards, the HA hopes that it will also be stricter and more systematic.

The new regulations are how being piloted in a select number of hospitals, and will be put into widespread use from the beginning of next year.

--TNA 2005-04-25