MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

We are pleased to present the publication of the first edition of the Health
Authorty - Abu Dhabi Health Care Standards for Hospitals.
We expect major improvements in the health care system with tangible benefits
for patients as these standars are applied in all health care provider facilities
throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei

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FOREWORD
The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) is very pleased to present these Standards for
Hospitals. HAAD was established to provide health care services for the residents of the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to ensure that all facilities achieve defined standards, and encourage
and support the provision of high quality health care services in accordance with international
quality standards. The main function of HAAD is to regulate the Health Care Sector in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, both Public and Private, through policies, laws, regulations,
inspections and audits. The corporate office of HAAD is located in the capital of UAE, Abu
Dhabi.
HAAD is responsible for licensing, quality control, and regulating all of the health care
facilities and health professionals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This responsibility includes
the oversight of the vision in developing health communities and monitoring health care
facilities so that high quality health care services are delivered to its population in accordance
with the best international practices and quality standards.
Professional standards, regulations, and guidelines must be produced in HAAD related to
health professionals, public health, facilities licensure and inspections, and drugs and medical
devices. Standards for facilities and organizations should be consistent with the
internationally recognized benchmark established by Joint Commission International (JCI).
HAAD standards for health facilities are consistent with JCI standards, but focus on the
elements of patient and facility safety. All health care facilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
must achieve the mandated or compulsory standards during an inspection to be licensed in the
Emirate.
In fulfillment of HAADs mandate, the standards were developed by HAAD in collaboration
with Joint Commission International (JCI), a world leader in health standards. These
standards are consistent with international standards and they are the first step towards the
highest level of achievement in health care.
The standards are based on the JCI standards and the research processes and validation
methodologies that were used in their development, as well as the regulatory requirements of
HAAD. JCI was created in 1998 as the international arm of The Joint Commission (United
States). JCIs mission to improve the safety and quality of patient care around the world and
this mission is very supportive of the Health Authoritys mission.
JCI standards are truly international in their development and revision. The process of
developing standards is actively overseen by an expert international task force, whose
members are drawn from each of the worlds populated continents. In addition, the standards
were evaluated by individuals around the world via an internet-based field review, as well as
considered by JCI Regional Advisory Councils in Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East,
and other experts from various health care fields. In addition, JCI standards have been used
to develop and establish accreditation programs in many countries and have been used by
public agencies, health ministries, and others seeking to evaluate and improve the safety and
quality of patient care.
Each new edition of the standards, which is conducted approximately every three years,
reflects the dynamic changes occurring around the globe in health care. New technologies
and treatments are in use; patients are traveling beyond borders to receive health care;
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physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals are moving across borders to seek better
opportunities; and health care workers are faced with exposure to biological and other
hazards. Each day, health care facilities serve as the training grounds for many students in the
health professions; infectious agents are spreading rapidly across the globe; adverse health
care errors continue to occur; and the number and variety of ethical and legal challenges to
the delivery of health care continue to grow. Each new edition addresses these and other
issues with new and revised standards.
The standards emphasize the International Patient Safety Goals, and focus on patient and
facility safety in general. The most critical elements related to safety are identified as
Mandatory and have an M designation. These standards must be met for any health care
facility to be licensed.

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The standards were developed by HAAD

in collaboration with Joint Commission International.

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