Perceptions on the Implementation of Accreditation Requirements and Standards in the Primary Healthcare Centres, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

The purpose of this study was to assess the changes resulting from the implementation of an accreditation programme on quality of care. This study aims to find the association between nurses’ perceptions of the implementation of accreditation requirements and standards in the healthcare services at primary health centres (PHCs) with selected demographic variables (age, gender, nationality, level of education and designation). A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire. The study sample (n = 130) nurses who were working in accredited governmental PHCs and the research was conducted in eight PHCs out of the 18 PHCs in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. The association between nurses’ perceptions on the implementation of accreditation requirements and standards in the healthcare services in PHCs with selected demographic variables: gender X² (2. N = 130) = 0.28, p > 0.05, age X² (1. N = 130) = 1.76, p > 0.05, level of education X² (6. N = 130) = 0.94, p <.05, designation X² (4. N = 130) = 13.3, p <.05. Level of education and designation demonstrates the same perception levels (60% moderate and 40% high). There is a significant association between nurses perception of the implementation of JCI accreditation requirement and standard in health serive of PHC’s with the selected demographic data age and designation (p < 0.05). However level of education and gender are not significant(p > 0.05). Nurses are the backbone of any healthcare setting, and they spend more time with the patient. Being a part of the quality of care and patient safety is essential.