In order to ensure continuous improvement in the quality and safety of healthcare, all public and private healthcare establishments must undergo an external assessment procedure known as certification.
This procedure, carried out by the Haute Autorité de santé (French National Authority for Health), aims to provide an independent assessment of the quality of an institution or, where appropriate, of one or more divisions, internal structures or activities of an institution, using indicators, criteria and benchmarks relating to procedures, good clinical practice and the results of the institution’s various departments and activities.