Accreditation of nutrition support teams: A new initiative by the Turkish Society of Clinical Enteral & Parenteral Nutrition

HALİL M. G., Demirkan K., Doganay M., Cengiz C., Gunduz M., ABBASOĞLU O.

Nutrition, cilt.114, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 114
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.nut.2023.112112
  • Dergi Adı: Nutrition
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Accreditation, Nutrition support teams, Quality of health care, Safety
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: Accreditation is a process to evaluate compliance of an institution or organization with predetermined performance standards, focusing on achieving continuous improvement strategies and optimal quality standards and motivating the accredited organization to do so. There is no established accreditation program for nutrition support teams (NSTs) at national and international levels. In order to increase the standards of NSTs, developing an accreditation program is being planned by the Turkish Society of Clinical Enteral & Parenteral Nutrition (KEPAN). Methods: Accreditation standards were developed by a study group under the organization of KEPAN. Minimum standards for composition, qualifications, physical requirements, workflow charts, medical records, and both patient and health care providers’ safety measures in NSTs were specified. These standards were uploaded to a computer program, and the necessary infrastructure for a web-based management of accreditation processes was developed. Results: An organization applying for accreditation should fill in the application form on KEPAN website electronically. Eligibility criteria for accreditation include number of NST members, physical environment, patient monitoring requirements, research, and training. A total of 22 standards are surveyed under 13 sections. These standards contain 61 criteria. To be accredited, each of 22 standards must score >70 and each of 13 sections must score >80. Conclusions: In order to increase the quality of nutritional care and improve patient outcomes, an accreditation program has been developed. This program principally sets the basic standards, organizational scheme, and responsibilities of NSTs.