NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme
What is NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme?
The NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme is a key initiative designed to enhance the healthcare industry by integrating advanced digital technologies. With the rapid evolution of digital health tools like telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), mobile apps, and artificial intelligence, healthcare systems can now offer better, more efficient care. This transformation not only improves access to healthcare services but also enables personalized care, reduces costs, and drives better health outcomes. Launched on 17th September 2023, this program aims to foster the widespread adoption of digital health innovations in hospitals and healthcare institutions.
The programme evaluates hospitals based on a set of rigorous standards that encompass a wide range of digital health practices. It includes 8 chapters, 38 standards, and 181 objective elements, covering areas like telemedicine, EHRs, mobile health technologies, and the use of AI. The goal is to assess the digital maturity of hospitals, measuring their readiness and ability to provide high-quality, patient-centered care through the use of digital tools. These standards are structured across different levels of accreditation—Silver, Gold, and Platinum—which reflect the extent to which a healthcare facility has embraced and implemented digital health technologies.
Hospitals undergoing the NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme are assessed on their ability to integrate these technologies into their operations while maintaining high standards of patient care and safety. The accreditation process not only helps in standardizing digital health practices but also provides a clear roadmap for healthcare institutions to improve their digital capabilities over time. With this programme, NABH is driving the adoption of digital health solutions that can significantly transform patient care delivery, ensuring healthcare systems are future-ready and able to meet evolving patient needs.
Benefits of NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme
Establishing a Centralized Registry
Hospitals can create a unified system that links clinical establishments, patients, healthcare professionals, and pharmacies. This ensures easy access and manage-ment of patient data and healthcare information, promoting seamless coordination across healthcare services.
Demonstrating Quality Healthcare Services
The accreditation enables hospitals to showcase their ability to deliver high-quality healthcare services through the integration of digital health solutions. This im-proves efficiency in patient care and operational management, enhancing the overall healthcare delivery
Encouraging the Use of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
By encouraging healthcare professionals to adopt CDSS, hospitals can enhance clinical decision-making. These systems provide evidence-based recommendations that assist doctors in diagnosing and treating patients more effectively, improving patient outcomes
Improved Data Analysis for Research and Development
Hospitals will be able to analyze service data more effectively, which can drive in-novations in healthcare practices. This data-driven approach supports research and development, leading to more advanced treatments and healthcare technolo-gies
Secure Storage and Access to Patient Records
Patients can securely store and access their medical records, including prescrip-tions, diagnostic reports, and discharge summaries. This promotes transparency and empowers patients to manage their health information easily.
Remote Sharing of Medical Information
Patients can share their medical records with healthcare providers remotely, facili-tating timely and appropriate treatment. This is especially beneficial for follow-up care and consultations without the need for in-person visits.
Access to Remote Health Services
Patients can access healthcare services such as telemedicine and e-pharmacy re-motely, reducing the need for travel and making healthcare more accessible, par-ticularly for those in remote areas.
Enhanced Access to Patient History for Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals across various disciplines can access a patient’s medical history (with informed consent). This leads to more informed decisions when pre-scribing treatments, ensuring a personalized and effective approach to healthcare.
Remote Sharing of Medical Information
Patients can share their medical records with healthcare providers remotely, facili-tating timely and appropriate treatment. This is especially beneficial for follow-up care and consultations without the need for in-person visits.
Who can apply for NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme?
Hospitals
Clinics
Healthcare Institutions
Telemedicine Providers
e-Pharmacies
Diagnostic Centers
Medical Laboratories
Healthcare Professionals
Documents Required for NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme
- System Manual
- System Procedure
- Policy
- Objectives
- Mission & Vision
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Checklist
- Forms
- Formats
- Records
The extent of Documented Information differs as per:
- Organization’s size
- Activities performed by the organization
- Processes undertaken by the Organization
- Products and services offered by the organization
- The complexity of processes undertaken
- Competence of persons involved
Role of Shamkris and Process of NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to effective system implementation in the organization. A simple and practical method of system implementation helps organizations increase business efficiency and sustainability. Shamkris supports 100% documentation to obtain an accreditation body of success in addition to enhanced performance.
The implementation process is described below:
Time Frame
Task
Process
Day 1
GAP Analysis
Certification Body
Selection
Cost Estimates
- Finding the GAP between existing system related to NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme requirements
- Selecting the appropriate certification Body
- Based on the scope of your business & certification Body you choose
Week 1
Developing Documents
- Management System Manual, Management System Procedures, Policy, Objectives, Forms etc.
- Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Week 4
Implementing Management System
- NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme Awareness training for the top management and staff
- Implementing a well-documented management system throughout the organization
Week 8
Internal Audit
MRM
CAPA
- Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme requirements
- Management Review Meetings
- Corrective and Preventive Action plan for nonconformities
Week 10
Self Certification/NoBo
Audit
N-C Closing
- Shamkris acts on your behalf and assists you in the third-party audit
- Closing of any nonconformities identified by the certification Body
Week 12
Self Certification/NoBo
- Certificates issued under have a validity period as
- Initial Certification: Valid for 4 years from the date of qualification.
- Surveillance Audits yearly
Year on Year
Yearly Compliance
- Support of Yearly documentation for audit
Who can issue the NABH Digital Health Accreditation Programme?
FAQ
NABH Digital Health Accreditation is a certification provided by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) to healthcare institutions that implement digital health solutions, ensuring quality, efficiency, and safety in the delivery of healthcare services through digital technologies.
Hospitals, clinics, telemedicine providers, e-pharmacies, diagnostic centers, and healthcare institutions that use digital health technologies are eligible to apply for the accreditation.
This accreditation enables healthcare institutions to streamline their digital systems, improve patient care, encourage the use of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), ensure secure storage and sharing of patient data, and enhance overall healthcare delivery.
The accreditation is valid for a period of 4 years. After this period, healthcare institutions must go through the surveillance process to maintain their accredited status.
Healthcare institutions must submit an application, meet the required standards outlined in the NABH Digital Health Accreditation guidelines, and undergo a comprehensive assessment by NABH to obtain the certification.
The accreditation is based on 8 chapters, 38 standards, and 181 objective elements that assess a healthcare institution’s digital maturity and the effective use of digital technologies in patient care.
Yes, the accreditation needs to be renewed after 4 years through a surveillance process that evaluates continued compliance with the digital health standards.
Yes, telemedicine providers can apply for the NABH Digital Health Accreditation if they are utilizing digital health tools in patient care delivery.
It helps institutions demonstrate their commitment to high-quality, digitally-enabled healthcare, fostering trust among patients, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring adherence to global digital health standards.ent