India to Introduce Quality and Safety Grades for Public and Private Hospitals

Under the leadership of Niti Aayog, the government is preparing a standardized grading system that will evaluate hospitals on safety and specialty outcomes. The framework will incorporate patient-reported experience and outcome measures, readmission statistics, and medication error rates, aligning with international standards. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated the guidelines should be finalized by the end of this year, allowing grades to be issued as early as the next fiscal year.

Currently, private hospitals follow the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers standards, but their results are not publicly disclosed. By contrast, the UK’s National Health Service publishes audited clinical outcomes, helping patients make informed choices. The new system is intended to improve overall care quality and boost India’s appeal as a medical-tourism destination.