title: A certification/accreditation model for Haemophilia Centres in Italy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Italian Association of Haemophilia Centres has developed a voluntary programme of professional accreditation of Haemophilia Centres, run by its members. Participation in the programme, which aims to foster staff involvement in clinical governance, includes both medical personnel and nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Accreditation is awarded provided the candidate Haemophilia Centre is able to adhere to a pre-established set of quality standards and meet a number of clinical and organisational requirements, previously defined on the basis of evidence-based medicine. Self-evaluation is the first step in the programme, followed by a site visit by a team of peer professionals experienced in quality auditing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The programme has so far involved 21 Italian Haemophilia Centres. The comparison between self- and peer-evaluation revealed less discrepancies for disease-related than for organisational requirements, the latter being met to a lesser degree by most Haemophilia Centres.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This programme of professional accreditation developed by the Italian Association of Haemophilia Centres has the potential to describe, monitor and improve clinical and organisational performances in the management of patients with haemophilia and allied inherited coagulation disorders. It should also be seen as a contribution to the implementation of the strategy for improving professional governance in Haemophilia Centres.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Direction, IRCCS Ca' Granda Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Pier Mannuccio
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.affiliation: Necstep Studio Associato, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Menichini
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D002568:Certification / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D009726:Nurses / Q000592:standards*