NABL and NABH Accreditation in India: Process and Benefits

What is NABL?¹

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is a constituent board of Quality Council of India (QCI), which involves third-party assessment of labs for technical competence of testing including:¹

Medical and calibration labs

Reference material
producers

Proficiency testing

Objective¹

The objective is to provide the government, industry associations and industry in general with a scheme of Conformity Assessment Body’s (CAB) accreditation.

Benefits of NABL accreditation¹

NABL accreditation labs have great benefits. To name a few, they get:

Process of NABL accreditation²

NABL accreditation is given to certain fields and disciplines. Different bodies known as CABs require NABL accreditation, such as:

Laboratory testing equipment
Calibration laboratories
Medical laboratories
Proficiency laboratories
Reference material laboratories

The following is the process of NABL accreditation²

Adapted from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. For more information on NABL accreditation, please visit: https://nabl-india.org/about-nabl/accreditation-schemes/

What is NABH?³

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a constituent board of QCI that provides accreditation for hospitals by:³

Enhancing health systems

Promoting patient safety

Objective³

The objective is to operate accreditation and allied programs in collaboration with stakeholders focusing on patient safety and quality of healthcare based on national/international standards, through process of self and external evaluation.

Benefits of NABH³

1. Benefits for patients

NABH-accredited hospitals provide medical services to patients rich in quality and infrastructure. Here are some benefits for patients:

High quality of care

Patient safety assured

Rights of patients are protected and respected

Patient satisfaction regularly evaluated

2. Benefits for organisations

NABH-accredited medical hospitals will have the maximum benefits. The following are some of them:

Stimulates continuous improvement

Demonstrate and deliver quality care to patients

Opportunity to benchmark with the best

Marketing advantage in competitive healthcare

Promote medical tourism

Objective system of empanelment by insurance and other third parties

3. Benefits for staff

NABH-accredited hospitals provide certain benefits to their staff as well, such as:

Better working environment and leadership

Confidence and efficiency improved

Process of NABH accreditation³

CAPA: Corrective action preventive action

Adapted from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers. For more information on NABH accreditation, please visit: https://www.nabh.co/Images/PDF/nabh_gib_hos.pdf

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. What are Benefits of Accreditation? Available at: https://nabl-india.org/faq/#6. Accessed on 8 September 2022.
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. NABL Accreditation Process & Scope. Available at: https://nabl-india.org/about-nabl/accreditation-schemes/. Accessed on 8 September 2022.
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. Available at: https://nabh.co/introduction.aspx. Accessed on 8 September 2022.

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