Quality Assurance of the System
Any accreditation system can be gamed. The question is whether the system has detection and consequence mechanisms. ASF has four.
1. Random Re-Verification Programme
5% of accredited facilities per year, selected randomly by ASF, receive an unannounced re-verification by an ASF-appointed Monitor — not the facility’s own Monitor. Significant discrepancy found: facility’s accreditation under review; Monitor’s credential suspended. Falsification confirmed: facility suspended, Monitor investigated, 12-month exclusion minimum.
2. Mandatory Adverse Event Reporting
Any serious adverse event at an ASF-accredited facility — patient death, never event, serious harm — reported to ASF within 30 days. ASF reviews whether the event relates to any accredited criterion. If it does, mandatory re-verification.
3. Patient and Public Reporting Channel
Any person — patient, family, staff, or regulator — can submit a concern via a confidential channel. ASF responds within 30 days. Substantive concern triggers unannounced re-verification. Complainant identity protected.
4. Monitor Performance Tracking
The ADC tracks each Monitor’s verifications vs re-verification outcomes over time. Three significant discrepancies triggers credential suspension and formal investigation. Rotation enforced: internal max 3 years, external max 5 years per facility.
