Challenges and Potential Drivers of Accreditation in Iranian Hospitals

Background and Objectives: Accreditation is a widely used mechanism to keep organization adherent to the established standards. The aim of this study was to identify barriers towards promotion of accreditation in Iranian hospitals, and exploring the potential overcoming strategies. Methods: A qualitative study design was adopted. Data were collected using a questionnaire with open questions about barriers to and potential solutions of accreditation implementation in Iranian hospitals (N= 116). Thematic analysis was used to extract the major concepts. Findings: Limited knowledge of the personnel, inadequate training of the staff and lack of commitment of managers and physicians were identified as the most important challenges towards the successful implementation of accreditation. The respondents enumerated extensive training, involvement of chief managers, and adapting the hospital’s organizational culture as the potential drivers of accreditation in Iranian hospitals. Conclusions: The three categories of barriers to accreditation as well as the suggested overcoming strategies are interconnected, all of which pointing to the need for extensive training for developing the required infrastructure, at least in terms of human resources, for promotion of accreditation in Iranian hospitals.