Nursing perception towards the impact of JCI accreditation on the quality of care in a university hospital in Palestine: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: This study investigates nursing staff perceptions regarding the impact of Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation on the quality of care within a university hospital in Palestine. The research specifically examines how the accreditation process influences nursing practices, patient results, and overall healthcare quality in a challenging environment marked by unique operational and external pressures.

Methods: The study was conducted at An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH), a university hospital in Palestine, using a cross-sectional survey design. The structured questionnaire employed in the study was based on the Donabedian model, which evaluates the process and outcome dimensions of healthcare quality influenced by JCI accreditation. The questionnaire consisted of 47 items, divided into ten main subsections. These subsections included participants' demographical information (6 items), quality measurement and analysis (4 items), leadership, commitment and support (4 items), use of data (4 items), strategic quality planning (4 items), human resources education and training (4 items), quality management (4 items), quality results (4 items), staff involvement (5 items), and benefits of accreditation (8 items). The questionnaire was rigorously designed to assess both the quality processes and quality results. The eight subscales evaluated various aspects, such as leadership commitment, strategic planning, and staff involvement. To ensure reliability, the internal consistency of the survey was confirmed with a high Cronbach's alpha score, demonstrating the tool's robustness and reliability in capturing the intended data.

Results: The study of 180 nurses overwhelmingly supported the positive impact of JCI accreditation on hospital quality improvement processes. More than 90% of respondents acknowledged the role of accreditation in improving resource utilization, meeting population needs, and promoting professional standards and values ​​among staff. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and stepwise regression, highlighted strong positive associations between quality process variables and quality results. In particular, leadership commitment, strategic planning, and staff engagement were found to be significant predictors of improved quality results.

Conclusions: This study's findings demonstrate that JCI accreditation significantly positively impacts nurses' perceptions of care quality at NNUH. The study underscores the importance of international accreditation in driving quality improvements in healthcare, particularly in settings with unique challenges such as those faced in Palestine. These insights are crucial for policymakers and healthcare administrators aiming to enhance care standards through accreditation in similar environments.