Obtaining HAS certification with distinction is not based on a good speech on the day of the visit, nor on a well-filled binder.
The distinction is awarded to establishments that demonstrate, in practice, that they have their risks under control, that their teams work reliably, and that patient safety is part of their daily operations.

Here are the main elements observed in establishments that received certification with distinction.

A culture of patient safety embedded in everyday life

Establishments that earn the designation don't just talk about safety.
They demonstrate that professionals can:

• report an adverse event or near miss without fear,
• discuss mistakes in order to improve,
• alert early when a situation becomes risky.

Patient safety is not a matter reserved for the quality department alone: it is shared by teams in the field, recognized by management, and supported by senior leadership.

Mandatory criteria mastered in practice, not just on paper

The HAS designation is largely based on how the mandatory criteria are applied on a daily basis, in particular:

• the drug circuit,
• identity vigilance,
• the prevention of healthcare-associated infections,
• the management of risky or deteriorating situations.

The visiting experts seek above all to understand how teams actually perform, including in emergency situations, unexpected events, or when overloaded.

Management that is present, visible, and consistent

Certified institutions with honors have one thing in common:
the quality and safety of care are not delegated solely to the teams.

Governance and management:

• set clear priorities,
• support teams after an adverse event,
• agree to question the organization when it creates risk.

This visible leadership is a key factor in establishing a sustainable culture.

Making real use of feedback

RMM, CREX, adverse event analysis, etc.
In institutions with accreditation, these procedures are not seen as a constraint.

They are used to:

• understand what really happened,
• identify simple and applicable actions,
• improve practices without assigning blame.

Action plans are monitored, evaluated, and adjusted. We see what changes in the services.

Teams trained in teamwork and complex situations

Certification with distinction recognizes institutions that invest in useful training, training that truly helps professionals deal with risky situations.

This applies in particular to:

• communication in critical situations,
• leadership and coordination,
• emergency management,
• human factors.

Simulation-based and video simulation-based training courses are particularly relevant because they allow realistic situations to be worked on, close to the field, without exposing patients.

Results tracked over time

Finally, HAS accreditation is based on the institution's ability to demonstrate that it is making progress:

• reduction in certain preventable events,
• improvement of targeted practices,
• indicators monitored and understood by the teams.

Certification with distinction recognizes reliable institutions that are capable of learning and improving over time.

In summary

HAS certification with distinction recognizes institutions that:

• do not simply comply with a set of standards,
• really work on their organization,
• invest in their teams,
• place patient safety at the heart of their decisions.

This is the rationale behind the immersive video simulation training courses developed by SafeTeam Academy: to help teams improve in the field, in situations that really matter.

‍