Accreditation and Quality in the Italian National Health Care System: a 10 years-long review

Background  Italian Institutional accreditation is recognized as a tool to ensure an adequate level of quality in healthcare setting. The aim of the study was to review the scientific literature on this topic looking for original experiences of institutional accreditation. Methods In March-June 2019 we performed a search for original peer-reviewed papers in the electronic database PubMed (MEDLINE). The key search terms were “accreditation AND Italy”, “hospital accreditation AND Italy”. We searched for studies published between 2009 and 2019, reporting information about Institutional Accreditation experiences. Results The literature search yielded 562 publications. Finally, we identified 16 manuscripts eligible for the review. The studies were published between 2010 and 2016; they were conducted from 2007 to 2015; they involved a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 183 centres located in different Italian regions and cities. They concerned oncology, haematology, health physics, health direction, paediatrics, surgery.  Institutional accreditation led to a general improvement of quality, and to suggestions for improvement. Conclusion Each healthcare system should achieve the best possible levels of quality and safety.  Accreditation, combined with further strategies could ensure a highest level of quality.