Other states like Kerala, Punjab and Maharashtra have already adopted this program in its effort to strengthen health systems.

Dr K K Kalra, CEO, NABH, adds, "Patient safety is a fundamental principal of heath care and NABH-Safe-I accreditation aims to improve quality of health care services and ensure patient safety. Large number of hospitals find accreditation process very difficult and hesitate to take initiatives for compliance to NABH quality standards. Hospital associated infections (HAIs) are the biggest threat for patient safety globally."

In the city of Bangalore only 17 hospitals are NABH accredited, and 13 hospitals are in different phases of accreditation.

Dr Bhaskar J Sonowal, technical advisor, infection control and patient safety, BD, India opines, "We are glad that the certification process is moving at a good pace and is becoming a choice for many hospitals across states who are eager to improve the quality of patient care."