The Influence of Healthcare Accreditation on the Safety of Healthcare Personnel: A Systematic Review

Hospitals Accreditation Occupational Health and Safety Quality assurance Job stress

Авторы

აგვისტო 1, 2026

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Objective

To systematically evaluate the evidence regarding the impact of healthcare accreditation on medical personnel safety.

Design

Systematic review conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Data Sources

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and grey literature were searched for studies published between 1993 and 2025.

Review Methods

Studies investigating the effects of healthcare accreditation on healthcare worker safety outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Due to methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.

Results

Twenty studies from more than 20 countries were included. Accreditation was associated with improvements in infection control practices, occupational safety, emergency preparedness, and safety culture. However, increased workload and psychosocial stress during accreditation processes were reported. Variability in implementation and limited longitudinal evidence restricted definitive conclusions.

Conclusions

Healthcare accreditation appears to contribute positively to healthcare worker safety when supported by institutional commitment and continuous quality improvement strategies. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine long-term effects.

While healthcare accreditation is known to improve patient care, its effects on medical personnel safety remain underexplored.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from 1993 to 2025, identifying studies that examined the impact of accreditation on staff safety outcomes.

Results: Twenty studies across more than 20 countries were included. Findings indicated consistent improvements in infection control compliance, reductions in occupational injuries, increased adherence to safety protocols, and enhanced safety culture. However, variability in implementation and limited longitudinal data were noted.

Conclusions: Accreditation can positively influence healthcare worker safety, but consistent implementation and staff engagement are crucial for sustained impact.