Complete NABH Accreditation Guide for Hospitals (2026)

NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) accreditation is the gold standard for healthcare quality in India. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to achieve NABH accreditation for your hospital.

What is NABH Accreditation?

NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI), established to set benchmarks for healthcare quality. NABH accreditation signifies that a hospital meets international standards of healthcare delivery.

Benefits of NABH Accreditation:

• Higher reimbursement rates from insurance companies (10-15% more)
• Government tender eligibility
• Increased patient trust and footfall
• Improved operational efficiency
• Reduced medical errors and litigation

Types of NABH Accreditation

NABH offers different programs based on facility type and size:

• Full Accreditation: For hospitals with 50+ beds
• Entry Level: Stepping stone for smaller hospitals
• SHCO (Small Healthcare Organizations): For clinics and nursing homes under 50 beds
• Pre-Accreditation Entry Level (PEL): First step for first-time applicants

NABH Standards Overview

NABH evaluates hospitals across 10 chapters:

1. AAC: Access, Assessment, and Continuity of Care
2. COP: Care of Patients
3. MOM: Management of Medication
4. PRE: Patient Rights and Education
5. HIC: Hospital Infection Control
6. CQI: Continuous Quality Improvement
7. ROM: Responsibilities of Management
8. FMS: Facility Management and Safety
9. HRM: Human Resource Management
10. IMS: Information Management System

Step-by-Step NABH Journey

Phase 1: Gap Analysis (Month 1-2)

• Conduct internal assessment against NABH standards
• Identify gaps in documentation and processes
• Create action plan with timelines
• Assign responsibilities to department heads

Phase 2: Documentation (Month 2-6)

• Develop SOPs for all clinical and administrative processes
• Create policy manuals for each department
• Implement documentation checklists
• Train staff on documentation requirements

Phase 3: Implementation (Month 4-9)

• Roll out new processes across departments
• Conduct internal audits
• Address non-conformities
• Build evidence of compliance

Phase 4: Pre-Assessment (Month 9-10)

• Optional mock assessment
• Identify remaining gaps
• Final corrections

Phase 5: Final Assessment (Month 10-12)

• NABH assessors visit for 3-4 days
• Document review and process verification
• Staff interviews and tracer methodology
• Accreditation decision

Critical Documentation Requirements

NABH requires extensive documentation. Key documents include:

• Quality Manual
• Department SOPs (all clinical and support areas)
• Consent forms (multiple types)
• Assessment forms (initial, ongoing, discharge)
• Infection control logs
• Equipment maintenance records
• Training records
• Incident reports and analysis
• Quality indicators and dashboards

Common Reasons for NABH Failure

• Incomplete documentation: Missing SOPs, unsigned forms
• Staff unaware: Staff can't explain processes during interviews
• Inconsistent practices: Documentation says one thing, practice is different
• Infection control gaps: Hand hygiene compliance, waste segregation
• Fire safety issues: Non-functional equipment, blocked exits

How Software Helps with NABH

Modern HMS software can automate much of NABH compliance:

• Automatic documentation: EMR ensures complete patient records
• Consent tracking: Digital consents with timestamps
• Medication management: Drug interaction alerts, unit dose tracking
• Audit trails: Complete history of all actions
• Quality indicators: Automated calculation and dashboards
• Incident reporting: Digital incident capture and analysis

NABH Accreditation Costs

Typical costs for a 100-bed hospital:

• NABH fees: ₹3-5 lakhs
• Consultant fees: ₹5-15 lakhs
• Infrastructure upgrades: Variable
• Training: ₹1-2 lakhs
• Total: ₹10-25 lakhs approximately

Maintaining NABH Accreditation

NABH accreditation is valid for 3 years. To maintain:

• Continuous quality monitoring
• Annual surveillance (self-assessment)
• Keep documentation updated
• Address any non-conformities promptly