The steps to NABH accreditation
- Read the standard. Get the current DHSP standard and self-assessment toolkit from NABH.
- Gap check. Score your clinic against each of the 407 objective elements. Start with the 77 core elements.
- Define your scope. List the services you provide — in-house lab, imaging, sedation, paediatrics. Some chapters apply only if you offer a service.
- Write and approve SOPs. One for each process the standard covers, with version and approval dates.
- Set up the facility. Signage, bilingual posters, sterilisation zones, BMW segregation, fire safety and emergency drug tray.
- Start the registers. Assessors look for months of continuous, dated records, not a burst before the visit.
- Train the staff. Induction, infection control, BLS/CPR, fire and mock drills — and make sure staff can answer an assessor's questions.
- Run committee meetings and track KPIs. With minutes, analysis and action plans.
- Mock audit. Score yourself again and close the gaps.
- Apply and prepare for assessment. Check current fees and the application process on the NABH portal.
Chapter-by-chapter checklist
| Chapter | What the assessor looks for |
|---|---|
| AAC — Access, Assessment and Continuity of Care | Services displayed, registration and records, referral, initial assessment, follow-up, lab and imaging quality and radiation safety, case summary |
| COP — Care of Patients | Uniform care under written guidance, emergencies and CPR, paediatric care, high-risk patients, local anaesthesia, sedation, pain management |
| MOM — Management of Medication | Formulary, storage, safe prescribing and dispensing, monitoring, implants and dental devices, supplies |
| PRE — Patient Rights and Education | Rights displayed, informed consent, cost information, feedback and complaints, communication |
| IPC — Infection Prevention and Control | Programme and resources, practice in clinical and non-clinical areas, surveillance, sterilisation and disinfection |
| PSQ — Patient Safety and Quality Improvement | Quality programme, key indicators, management support, clinical audit, incident analysis |
| ROM — Responsibilities of Management | Defined responsibilities, ethical management, qualified head, professionalism, risk management |
| FMS — Facility Management and Safety | Safe and secure environment, planned facilities, equipment management, medical gases, fire and non-fire emergencies |
| HRM — Human Resource Management | HR planning, recruitment, induction, training, appraisal, grievance, staff health, personal files, credentials |
| IMS — Information Management System | Complete dental records, continuity of care, confidentiality and security, retention, record review |
Where clinics usually fall short
- Gaps in the registers. Weeks with no sterilisation or BMW entries are the most common finding. Daily reminders and one-tap confirmations prevent them.
- SOPs that nobody has read. Assessors ask staff what an SOP says. Role-wise SOP sign-off and simple-language versions help.
- Posters in English only. Patient-facing information should be in the local language too.
- Committee meetings on paper only. Minutes without action items, owners and follow-up dates do not show improvement.
ORALZY's NABH features — self-filling registers, mock audit, assessor mode and the one-click audit bundle — are built around this checklist. See the full list of registers.