The NABH Accreditation Standards for Hospitals (6th Edition) mark a transformational step in strengthening India’s healthcare quality ecosystem. More than a revision, the 6th edition is a strategic roadmap designed to elevate patient safety, encourage healthcare innovation, and build a strong culture of continuous quality improvement.
As India experiences rapid advancements in medical technology, hospital management systems, and digital healthcare, NABH continues to guide organizations with clear, measurable, and internationally aligned standards.
Why the 6th Edition Matters
The 6th edition of the NABH Hospital Accreditation Standards reflects a strong commitment toward ensuring quality healthcare, enhancing clinical outcomes, and improving patient experience.
These updated standards address:
- Changing patient expectations
- Increased adoption of healthcare IT / EMR
- Rising need for data-driven quality improvement
- Stronger focus on hospital sustainability
- Global alignment with international accreditation practices
This edition gives hospitals a clear pathway to deliver patient-centric care, operational excellence, and NABH compliance.
Structure of the New Standards (NABH 6th Edition)
The edition follows the established 10-chapter NABH framework, categorized into:
Patient-Centric Standards
- Access, Assessment & Continuity of Care (AAC)
- Care of Patients (COP)
- Management of Medication (MOM)
- Patient Rights & Education (PRE)
- Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)
Organization-Centric Standards
- Patient Safety & Quality Improvement (PSQ)
- Responsibility of Management (ROM)
- Facility Management & Safety (FMS)
- Human Resource Management (HRM)
- Information Management System (IMS)
Each chapter includes an intent, standard summary, and objective elements, making it easy for hospitals to implement and prepare for NABH audits.
Key Highlights of the NABH 6th Edition
1. Stronger Focus on Outcomes & Technology
This edition brings significant upgrades in:
- Outcome-based healthcare performance
- Leveraging digital health records (EMR/HIS)
- Tracking Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM)
- Measuring Patient Experience (PREM)
2. Focus on Healthcare Workforce Well-being
Hospitals must now prioritize:
- Staff satisfaction and safety
- Competency assessments
- Continuous training and evaluation
3. Sustainability (ESG) – A New Addition
For the first time, NABH includes ESG standards under ROM.3, promoting:
- Environmental responsibility
- Social accountability
- Economic sustainability
4. Revised and Simplified Objective Elements
The 6th edition includes:
- 639 Total OEs
- 105 Core (Mandatory)
- 457 Commitment
- 60 Achievement
- 17 Excellence
This structure supports step-by-step NABH compliance and fosters continuous improvement.
5. New and Updated Annexures
Hospitals get detailed guidance on:
- Risk management
- Medication errors
- PROM / PREM
- Clinical audits
These upgrades strengthen clinical governance and patient safety protocols.
Important Chapter-Specific Enhancements
AAC (Access, Assessment & Continuity)
- Expanded focus on preventive & promotive care
- New standard (AAC.11) included
- Care plan documentation made a Core OE
MOM (Medication Management)
- Mandatory Medication Safety Officer
- Better medication reconciliation
PRE (Patient Rights & Education)
- Focus on transparency, communication, and patient engagement
- Integration of PREM indicators
PSQ (Patient Safety & Quality Improvement)
- Emphasis on a strong safety culture
- Hospitals must track PROM for quality improvement
NABH Accreditation Criteria (6th Edition)
To achieve or maintain NABH accreditation, hospitals must meet:
| Assessment | Minimum Overall Score | Core OE Score |
|---|---|---|
| Final Assessment | ≥ 80% | ≥ 4 |
| Surveillance | ≥ 80% | ≥ 4 |
| Re-accreditation | ≥ 80% | ≥ 4 |
Any Core OE below 4 results in non-accreditation.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Hospitals
The 6th edition mandates tracking of several hospital quality indicators, such as:
- Hand hygiene compliance
- ICU readmission rates
- Medication errors
- Surgical site infection rate
- Patient experience scores
Most indicators require HIS / EMR integration, promoting data-driven improvement.
Conclusion
The NABH 6th Edition Hospital Accreditation Standards bring a more structured, technologically enabled, and outcome-focused approach to Indian healthcare. With added emphasis on ESG sustainability, digital transformation, and patient-centered care, these standards empower hospitals to embrace excellence and deliver world-class healthcare services.
Whether a hospital is pursuing entry-level certification or full accreditation, the 6th edition provides a clear, practical, and future-ready framework.
