ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HEALTHCARE ETHICS AND NABH STANDARDS

Healthcare ethics encompass the moral principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of healthcare providers and organizations. These principles are crucial for ensuring that patient care is delivered with respect, fairness, and compassion, while safeguarding patient rights and promoting trust in the healthcare system. This research paper explores the integral role of healthcare ethics within the accreditation framework of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and its profound impact on the Indian healthcare system. By embedding ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice into its comprehensive standards, NABH ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centric care. The paper examines NABH's commitment to ethics through its specialized accreditation program for Clinical Trial Ethics Committees and its general standards covering informed consent, patient rights, and ethical decision-making. It underscores the importance of healthcare ethics in enhancing patient safety and fostering continuous quality improvement. The rigorous assessment and compliance processes mandated by NABH reinforce the ethical duty of healthcare providers to strive for excellence and equity in patient care. This study highlights NABH's pivotal role in promoting a culture of ethical decision-making, thereby significantly contributing to the advancement of ethically sound healthcare delivery in India.