What is NABH Accreditation? A Complete Guide.
Published 22 Oct 2026
You’re likely always trying to get the best care when you visit hospitals or clinics.
But how do you know.
what the ‘best care’ really is?
In India, one of the main ways to find this out is to look for NABH certification.
When you come across logos of NABH during your visits to hospital websites or when you are at the hospital reception, do you ask yourself why these logos are there and what do they really mean ?
We will try to provide simple answers to your questions.To know more, visit Qualityveda.
What Does NABH Stand For?
NABH stands for the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, representing its role as one of the constituent boards of the Quality Council of India (QCI) formed to establish accreditation programs for organizations operating in the Healthcare sector. Internationally, NABH is a part of ISQua, and hence, follows the global standards of patient safety and healthcare management and is recognized as the highest national benchmark for hospital quality and patient safety.
Why is NABH Accreditation Important?
It is no easy feat for a hospital to achieve NABH accreditation. Hospitals undergo lengthy, multi-level evaluations of their entire infrastructure, from the qualifications of the doctors, safety of the hospital’s premises and its equipment, to the controls and procedures in place for the protection of the rights of patients, staff and visitors.
NABH accreditation achieves :
1. Better Protection of the Rights of Patients.
2. Better Safety and Quality of Care for Patients.
3. Continuous Improvement and Sharpening of Staff Skills.
4. Transition toward Evidence-based Practices across all
5. processes from admission to discharge.
Which Areas Are Evaluated by NABH?
In order to get the accreditation, the hospital must fulfill stringent criteria in various important areas such as Access, Assessment and Continuity of Care (how patients are accessed, assessed, and how continuity is provided) Patient Care (standard of clinical care for all the patients) Medication Management (prescription, storage, and distribution of medication) Hospital Infection Control (hygiene and sanitation practices) Facility Management & Safety (fire safety and other).
Why Should a Patient Opt For an NABH Accredited Hospital ?
Being a patient or a relative of someone who needs to be treated in a hospital, the decision to opt for a hospital which has the NABH accreditation provides you with security. It is not about a building filled with machines, it is about a system which is legally and ethically bound to prioritize your safety. In addition to this, many insurance organizations as well as government sponsored health schemes (such as the Ayushman Bharat scheme) prefer treatment in the NABH accredited hospitals, which makes insurance claiming easier.
Conclusion
NABH is much more than a certificate or an accolade to hang in the hall, it is a commitment to excellence. The next time when you or someone near you needs medical help, it would be a wise decision to choose a hospital that has an NABH seal.
FAQs About NABH Accreditation
1. What does NABH stand for?
Answer: NABH stands for the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. It is the constituent board of QCI that determines quality norms in the field of healthcare in India.
2. Why do patients need NABH accreditation?
Answer: NABH accreditation guarantees a number of general advantages for patients such as compliance with requirements for patient safety, minimization of the risk of medical errors and infections, respect for patients’ rights (maintaining confidentiality and providing transparent billing), providing high-quality services and state-of-the-art equipment.
3. Is it compulsory for all the hospitals in India to be accredited by NABH?
Answer: At this time, accreditation is not compulsory for hospitals and other healthcare institutions in India. Nevertheless, there are many organizations that choose to be accredited in order to gain the trust of patients and ensure eligibility for government-sponsored programs.
4. What is the difference between NABH and NABL?
Answer: NABH is concerned with the general quality and patient safety of hospitals and healthcare providers.
NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) is connected with the accreditation of medical and testing laboratories to guarantee their reliability and competency in testing.
5. How do I check if the hospital is NABH accredited or not?
Answer: You can check the accreditation status of a hospital on the official website of NABH (nabh.co). The website has an updated list of all NABH accredited hospitals, clinics, blood banks and AYUSH hospitals in India which can be searched online.
