ArticleBMC health services research2026
Mapping digital health maturity models and accreditation-linked standards: a scoping review to position the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) digital health standards of India.
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundDigital transformation in healthcare is guided globally by digital health maturity models and accreditation-linked standards. In India, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) introduced landmark Digital Health Standards (DHS) for hospitals (2025 draft). This provides a national framework, but its positioning within the complex global landscape is unclear, making it challenging for stakeholders to benchmark progress and plan strategically.
objectivesThe primary objective was to map the features, domains, and assessment approaches of prominent international digital health maturity models and accreditation-linked standards. The secondary objective was to conduct a comparative analysis of these frameworks against the NABH-DHS to identify areas of convergence, divergence, and critical gaps.
methodsA scoping review adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted. Peer-reviewed databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus) and grey literature sources were searched from inception to 26 July 2025. We included sources describing national or international maturity models or accreditation standards for healthcare provider organizations. Data were charted using a customized form, synthesized narratively (SWiM), and comparatively analysed using a conceptual crosswalk matrix and thematic gap map.
results38 sources were included, comprising systematic/scoping reviews (n = 8), official reports/standards (n = 17), and primary studies (n = 13). Key international frameworks mapped include HIMSS EMRAM, NHS England’s WGLL, WHO-PAHO IS4H, JCI, and Australian models. The NABH-DHS (structured across 8 chapters) shows strong alignment with these frameworks in core domains: Leadership, Governance, Clinical & Patient Safety, and Information & Data Management. However, the comparative analysis identified emerging gaps vis-à-vis global best practices. These include absent or minimal coverage for explicit AI governance, advanced cybersecurity maturity (e.g., alignment with NIST CSF 2.0), granular interoperability maturity assessment, a dedicated health-equity lens, and the systematic integration of Patient-Generated Health Data (PGHD).
conclusionsThe NABH-DHS provide a robust and comprehensive foundation for core digital assurance in India, converging well with international best practices on foundational elements. Our mapped findings are presented as external policy guidance. We recommend that future NABH revisions incorporate pragmatic, light-weight requirements to address the identified gaps (AI governance, advanced cybersecurity, interoperability metrics, and equity). This can be achieved through annexes or tiered ‘Digital Plus’ badges that reference mature external frameworks (e.g., ISO/IEC 42001, NIST CSF 2.0), ensuring a future-proof, phased implementation that safeguards patient trust as the Indian digital health ecosystem matures.
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