A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF SURVEYORS FROM 6 HOSPITAL ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS AND A CONSIDERATION OF THE RELATED MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Purpose. To gather data on how accreditors manage surveyors, to compar e these data and to offer them to the accreditors for improvement and to the scientific community for knowledge of the accreditation process and reinforcement of the credibility of these processes. Data source. The data were gathered with the aid of a questionnaire sent to all ac creditors participating in the study. Results. An important finding in this comparative study is the different contractual relationships tha t exist between the accreditors and their surveyors. Conclusion. Surve yors around the world share many common features in terms of careers, training, work history and expectations. These similarities probably a rise from the objectives of the accreditors who try to provide a devel opmental process to their clients rather than an 'inspection'.