Pathfinder International, in collaboration with Abt Associates and the Zambia Board of Health, currently is implementing an accreditation system for hospitals and health centers as a strategy for promoting quality of care (QOC) in reproductive health service provision. Improving QOC in health service provision is one of the main objectives of the health reforms now being implemented in Zambia. It is expected that the accreditation system will increase utilization of health services, improve health centers’ and hospitals’ use of data for decision making, and increase client satisfaction.
This presentation will summarize the details of the Zambia accreditation process in the last two years, highlighting its successes and challenges. It also will share issues related to integrated supervision in support of an accreditation system. The paper will provide valuable information that can be useful to Ministries of Health planning to establish accreditation programs as a strategy for improving quality of care in reproductive health programs in their countries.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Identify the successes of and challenges faced by Zambia’s accreditation system for hospitals and health centers offering reproductive health services. 2. Develop a strategy for implementing an accreditation program to improve the quality of reproductive health care in a developing country
Keywords: Accreditation, Quality of Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.