Enhancing Pediatric Healthcare Quality and Safety: A Case Study of International Accreditation Implementation in Iashvili Children’s Central Hospital

Lela Tsakadze¹, Tamar Vakhtangadze², Nino Saghareishvili³¹Quality Department, Iashvili Children's Central Hospital, Tbilisi, Georgia; ²Top Management, Iashvili Children's Central Hospital, Tbilisi, Georgia;
³Project Management Department, Vian Group, Tbilisi, Georgia

Introduction

Georgia is a developing country with an evolving healthcare industry. To stimulate sector growth and improve patient safety and quality, the Ministry of Health of Georgia issued an order stating that, from January 1, 2025, institutions that have obtained international accreditation will be defined as providers of medical services. Iashvili Children’s Central Hospital, with a capacity of 215 beds and an average monthly patient volume of 700-750, faces the challenge of maintaining safety and quality amidst high demand. The primary criteria for selecting the Accreditation Agency included identifying and mitigating risks to ensure continuous improvement in the care and safety of young patients. The American Accreditation Commission International (AACI), one of the most experienced organizations globally, was selected. Following and implementing AACI standards represents a commitment to providing high-quality, safe, and affordable healthcare. The goals of both the hospital and AACI align, with a shared mission to “Reduce risks and save lives.” To mitigate risks, the AACI standard recommends implementing a Risk Register Form, divided into several steps. This paper outlines the positive impact of international accreditation on daily treatment processes and analyzes the main challenges encountered during implementation.The introduction of an Incident Report Form and the establishment of a Risk Committee is a pioneering step in Georgia, ensuring high quality and patient safety.

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