The Development and Impact of Hospitals Accreditation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: A Scoping Review

Background: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community facilitates its members to provide accessible health services and to improve their quality and safety. Hospital accreditation (HA) is a tool to improve quality, safety, and access. This study aimed to examine publications on HA in ASEAN countries, as well as analyze their implementation and impact on this region. Methods: This study used Arksey and O'Malley's framework scoping review. Articles were from ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect, SAGE journals, and JSTOR databases. Full-text articles written in English from 2000 to 2024 were searched using the keywords “hospital,” “accreditation,” and “ASEAN countries.” Of the 1155 articles initially screened, 60 were evaluated for suitability, and 32 met the criteria. Results: There has been a 53.3 % increase in publications since 2021, with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand consisting of a majority of the studies (78.1 %). The largest proportion (43.8 %) of HA accreditation programs was conducted by national bodies. The implementation of HA varied and was adjusted to national needs. Mandatory policies successfully increased hospital compliance. Implementation and sustainability faced significant challenges due to limited resources. Several ASEAN countries faced a scarcity of accredited hospitals, resulting in low accessibility. HA positively impacted patient safety, such as increased incident reporting, but effects on organizational culture, quality, and hospital and staff performance could not be concluded. Conclusion: Collaboration in ASEAN's health sector is vital for ensuring access, safety, and globally competitive, high-quality services. A roadmap for implementing HA is essential, providing contextual lessons for other countries.