The Example of Standards for the Healthcare Sector

One of the important aspects of quality management is bringing uniformity in the output of processes. In healthcare, this is practiced by either certifications or accreditation. These are carried out by addressing various processes within the organization or by the implementation of standard treatment guidelines or both. There are also various structural guidelines, such as building codes, applicable to the tangible aspects of the healthcare organizations. These address both the public and the private sectors. Healthcare outcomes in India are addressed through standards such as the National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS), the Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). In this chapter, we have taken an overview of measures taken for standardization of healthcare in India and the effectiveness of their implementation.