The distinction is awarded to facilities that demonstrate, in practice, that they manage their risks, that their teams work reliably, and that patient safety is an integral part of daily operations.
Here are the key features observed in facilities that have received a distinction.
A patient safety culture embedded in daily practice
Facilities that earn recognition do more than just talk about safety.
They demonstrate that professionals can:
- report an adverse event or near miss without fear,
- discuss areas for improvement,
- raise the alarm early when a situation becomes risky.
Patient safety and well-being are not the sole responsibility of the quality department: they are a shared priority for frontline teams, recognized by management, and supported by leadership.
Criteria that must be met in practice, not just on paper
HAS accreditation is largely based on how the mandatory criteria are applied on a daily basis, particularly with regard to:
- medication management,
- patient identification vigilance,
- prevention of healthcare-associated infections,
- management of high-risk or critical situations.
The expert visitors are primarily interested in understanding how the teams actually operate, including in emergency, unforeseen, or high-workload situations.
Present, visible, and consistent leadership
Accredited facilities have one thing in common:
the quality and safety of care are not left solely to the teams.
Governance and management:
- set clear priorities,
- support teams following an adverse event,
- are willing to challenge the organization when it creates risk.
This visible leadership is a key factor in establishing a sustainable culture.
Making effective use of feedback
M&M reports, CREX (Critical Incident Reports), adverse event analyses…
In leading institutions, these processes are not seen as a burden.
They are used to:
- understand what really happened,
- identify simple and practical steps,
- improve practices without looking for scapegoats.
Action plans are monitored, evaluated, and adjusted.
We can see what's changing in the services.
Teams trained in teamwork and handling complex situations
This certification with distinction recognizes institutions that invest in practical training—the kind that truly helps professionals handle high-risk situations.
This includes:
- communication in critical situations,
- leadership and coordination,
- emergency management,
- human factors.
Training based on simulation and video simulation is particularly valuable, as it allows for practice with realistic, real-world scenarios without putting patients at risk.
Results tracked over time
Finally, the HAS distinction is based on the institution's ability to demonstrate progress:
- a reduction in certain preventable events,
- improvements in targeted practices,
- indicators that the teams monitor and understand.
Certification with distinction recognizes reliable organizations that are capable of learning and improving over time.
In summary
HAS certification with distinction is awarded to facilities that:
- do not merely comply with a standard,
- actually work on their organization,
- invest in their teams,
- places patient safety at the center of their decision-making.
It is within this framework that the immersive video-simulation training courses developed by the SafeTeam Academy are designed: to help teams improve their performance in the field, in the situations that truly matter.
