The Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection (BSMI) held a medical health accreditation conference on June 9 at National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center to celebrate the annual World Accreditation Day. The conference, titled "Medical Health and Accreditation," corresponded to the 2015 World Accreditation Day theme: "Accreditation: Supporting the Delivery of Health and Social Care" and aims to explain to the public in simple terms the importance of improving medical quality through accreditation. In his opening remark, BSMI Director-General Liou Ming-Jong said that the word "accreditation" refers to the approval of an institution to carry out certain tasks by an impartial third party. The original purpose of accreditation was to resolve international trade disputes through tests and verification. Over the years, the scope of accreditation has expanded to include everyday activities because of environmental, safety, health and technology issues. The Director-General noted that the rise in living standards has created greater aspiration for quality medical care. Issues such as how to promote the comprehensive development of medical care and how to improve the efficiency as well as the safety of the medical service system have become goals for governments around the world. As accreditation means credibility, it is a key tool in upgrading medical services and reducing medical disputes. Many experts in the field of medical care and accreditation took part in the conference, including Wang Tsung-hsi, director of Ministry of Health and Welfare's Medical Affairs Department, Yang Han-chuan, president of Taiwan Hospital Association and Lai Te-jen, head of Chun Shan Medical University's Graduate Institute of Medicine. The participants gave informative talks about the contribution of accreditation to the development of medical care. The participants, numbering 300, include accreditation representatives, business individuals and members of the public. At the conference, local accreditation institutions were informed of how applications of the new standard can improve the services of health care providers. The effort exemplifies Taiwan's commitment to improve the current medical health care system through accreditation. The promotion of the 2015 accreditation theme brings Taiwan in line with the global accreditation practice. The public, the industry and authorities at the same time can better understand why establishing an accreditation system that meets international standards is beneficial to build a quality health care environment. Agency in charge: Metrology Division 
Contact person: Mr. Chang, Yueh-Feng, Deputy Director Telephone: (02)23967149