Developing hospital accreditation standards: Applying fuzzy DEMATEL

Abstract

Accreditation means the systemic evaluation of healthcare centers. In this process, the opinions of a group of experts are noted to evaluate healthcare organizations and make decisions about granting them qualifications. In this study, the fuzzy DEMATEL technique was utilized to rank and weight the categories, subcategories, and standards of hospital accreditation. The present research is empirical in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of data collection. The statistical population included Iran’s national accreditation standards. Eight experts, appraisers, senior appraisers, and policymakers of Iran’s national accreditation have been selected. The fuzzy DEMATEL technique was employed to determine the internal correlation between the existing criteria (standards) and their weights in a bid to identify the influenced structure of effective criteria or standards. Regarding the categories, management and leadership affected other factors of hospital standards and improved them. According to the proposed ranking and weighting model obtained from the expert opinions, most standards of management, executive management leadership, and the main decision-making body were effective in hospitals. These standards can improve hospital weaknesses and strengths. Hence, hospitals can bring about positive changes by taking effective measures and paying special attention to the main body of management.