On the afternoon of March 17, Nanjing Zijin Hospital convened the kickoff meeting for its second CARF accreditation project at the Qinhuai Campus, marking the beginning of a new phase of self‑transcendence and quality enhancement on the hospital’s journey toward international standards in rehabilitation quality management. Key stakeholders—including representatives from Jiamukang, hospital leadership, heads of various departments, head nurses, and chief therapists—were all in attendance. Academician Li Jian’an of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine attended as a special guest and delivered a speech.

Carrying Forward and Paving the Way: From Initial Accreditation to “Internalizing in the Heart and Externalizing in Action”

At the launch event, Ge Jiangping, President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, reviewed the hospital’s journey of quality development. She noted that, at the end of December 2023, Nanjing Zijin Hospital officially obtained a three-year certification under the CARF International Rehabilitation Quality Management System. From its initial exploration of CARF’s core principles to today’s three years of dedicated effort, CARF’s guiding philosophies—“patient-centered care” and “continuous improvement”—have been deeply integrated into every aspect of the hospital’s operations. Throughout the institution, staff have remained committed to this international “gold standard” in rehabilitation management, striving to deliver exceptional rehabilitation services to patients.

Dean Ge extended her heartfelt gratitude to Academician Li Jian’an and Professor Xu Zhengjian of Jiamukang, expressing sincere appreciation for their meticulous guidance and critical support during the hospital’s first accreditation process. She emphasized that launching the second round of CARF accreditation is not only a mandatory requirement for maintaining accreditation status but also a key strategic initiative for the hospital to pursue excellence and achieve sustainable development. She called on all staff across the institution to thoroughly study, deeply understand, and comprehensively implement the CARF standards, seizing this accreditation preparation as an opportunity to comprehensively enhance the quality of hospital management and the depth of its services, continuously streamline service processes, and drive an overall improvement in service quality.

In-Depth Analysis: Challenges and Strategies for the New Phase

Subsequently, Mr. Xu Zhengjian of Jiamukang delivered a 40-minute in-depth presentation on the CARF standards. He provided a systematic and comprehensive overview, covering CARF’s background, core values, and the significance of accreditation, as well as the specific implementation plan for Zijin Hospital’s current round of certification. His remarks were supported by both macro-level data and detailed, step-by-step procedural guidance. Mr. Xu particularly emphasized that, compared with the initial accreditation, this round will entail numerous new developments and challenges, including updated standards, on-site reviews by international experts, and coordinated preparations across both hospital campuses. Nevertheless, he expressed firm confidence that, with unified commitment throughout the institution and a genuine integration of CARF requirements into daily practices—ensuring their robust and consistent implementation—the hospital will once again achieve successful certification.

Expert’s Message: Acknowledge the Boldness, Look Ahead to the Future

In his address, Academician Li Jian’an highly commended Nanjing Zijin Hospital for its foresight and boldness in proactively applying for a second accreditation. He emphasized that CARF accreditation is not only an effective tool for standardizing medical services but also a powerful catalyst for healthcare institutions to enhance their professional reputation and achieve high‑quality development. The launch of this second round of accreditation marks a significant milestone on the hospital’s ongoing journey of quality improvement. He encouraged all staff members to continue taking CARF—the international gold standard—as their guiding framework, relentlessly pursue excellence in rehabilitation management, and steadfastly deliver higher‑quality, more standardized rehabilitation care to patients.

About CARF Accreditation

CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) was established in 1966 and is a globally recognized authority for rehabilitation‑care quality accreditation, with its standards widely regarded as the industry’s “gold standard.” CARF accreditation typically lasts three years, after which institutions must undergo rigorous recertification to maintain their status, thereby ensuring the ongoing quality and continuous improvement of accredited facilities.