By Healthcare Facilities Today

Maharashtra recently became the third state in India after Kerala and Punjab to launch National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers  (NABH)-Safe-ITSM Infection Control accreditation program for hospitals, according to an article on the Times of India website.

In the city, only 14 50-bed hospitals are accredited by  the NABH. More than 50 hospitals have applied for the program, including Bombay Hospital and Research Centre, Breach Candy Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Sanjeevani Surgical and General Hospital.

 "NABH accreditation is becoming integral to any hospital who wants to offer quality-of-care standards. An effective infection control program like the NABH- Safe-ITSM is the stepping stone towards NABH accreditation for those hospitals that have not yet started their journey towards accreditation," Dr Gayatri Mahindroo, NABH director said in the article. 

NABH began the NABH-Safe-ITSM program two years ago as the standard for improving patient safety by prevention of infection within the premises of healthcare organizations. Under this program, NABH recommends safe injection and infusion practices, biomedical waste management, healthcare workers safety and sterilization and disinfection.

 "NABH Safe- ITSM certification comes in at the right time when the state is taking efforts to reduce infections and healthcare costs burden for patients and thereby reducing morbidity rates. Such collaborative programs help achieve better patient care for the long term," said Dr Abhay Chowdhary, director Haffkine Research Institute, in the article.

Read the article.