Enablers and Barriers in Hospital Accreditation: A Integrated Review

Purpose – This study investigates factors influencing successful implementation, performance, and sustainability of hospital accreditation programs, addressing the research question: “What contributes to or impedes accreditation program effectiveness in healthcare institutions?”.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an integrated literature review conducted until December 2023, using Scopus and Web of Science databases. Relevant articles were identified using keywords such “hospital”, “healthcare service”, “healthcare organization”, “healthcare institution”, and “healthcare provider”. The screening process involved dual-screening based on title and abstract, followed by dual full-text review. Thirty-three articles were eligible for content analysis were categorized based on a consensus set of factors derived from the sample studies.
Findings – The study identified 25 classes of factors influencing hospital accreditation program success, categorized into seven groups: workforce, organizational, facilities/equipment, operational, evaluation process, accreditation program, and external factors. Operational factors, workforce, and evaluation process emerged as commonly cited barriers, while operational factors, workforce, and organizational factors were frequently mentioned as facilitators.
Originality/value – This study synthesizes literature to illuminate the factors influencing hospital accreditation program success, aiding healthcare organizations in optimizing implementation and evaluation processes for accreditation.

Challenges, moderators, external quality assessment, healthcare.