The Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital has been granted full accreditation from the esteemed accrediting body DNV-GL (Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd), making it the first Caribbean institution to be recognized by the organisation.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), Dr. June Samuel, made the announcement during the recent Patient Safety Day ceremony which was held at the hospital’s lobby on Friday.
The achievement follows the initial accreditation in 2020 which necessitated follow-up evaluations by DNV-GL. Following the final successful assessment, the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital is now the proud recipient of a comprehensive three-year accreditation certificate.
DNV-GL boasts an accreditation list that includes over 635 hospitals within the United States and approximately 15 other hospitals spanning Brazil, China, Iceland, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Thailand.
The BVIHSA said that choosing the DNV-GL program was in alignment with their unwavering dedication to patient safety and quality.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Vincent Wheatley, congratulated all who played a role in the process that led to the accreditation.
The acclaimed DNV-GL accreditation integrates the National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare (NIAHO) standards with ISO 9001 and ISO 15189 standards for healthcare and medical laboratories respectively.
Through meticulous evaluations, seasoned healthcare experts gauged the BVIHSA’s proficiency in: ensuring a secure environment for patient care; enlightening patients about diagnostic and treatment risks and options; upholding patient rights, including privacy; assessing patient conditions throughout treatment phases; safeguarding patients and staff from infections; and preparing comprehensively for potential emergencies.