NABH expects patients to be told their rights and responsibilities on arrival, given information in a language they understand, told expected costs, asked for informed consent, and heard through feedback and complaints. The 6th Edition also asks hospitals to capture patient reported experience measures, known as PREM.
The Patient Rights and Education chapter
The chapter has 8 standards, 52 objective elements and 12 Core elements.1 Its intent asks hospitals to inform patients of their rights at the time of entering, explain expected costs clearly, take informed consent covering risks, benefits and alternatives, give information in a language and manner the patient understands, and capture patient experience including PREM.1
| Standard | What it asks |
|---|---|
| PRE.1 | Rights protected and responsibilities explained |
| PRE.4 | Informed consent from the patient or family |
| PRE.5 | Information and education about their healthcare needs |
| PRE.6 | Information on expected costs |
| PRE.7 | Feedback captured and complaints redressed |
| PRE.8 | Effective communication, enhanced where needed |
From compliance to a world-class experience
NABH's Entry Level page says certified hospitals are often preferred for empanelment by government and private payers.2 The hospitals patients recommend go further than the minimum. They answer enquiries the same hour, show the price before the patient commits, remind them before the visit, and measure experience every month.
- Explain rights on arrival. In the patient's language, and record that it was done.
- Show the cost first. Expected costs explained before care, with the policy in writing.
- Answer fast. A response target for every enquiry, measured and reported.
- Speak their language. Identify where enhanced communication is needed, and meet it.
- Measure experience. Feedback and PREM collected and reviewed in a defined time frame.
- Act on what you hear. Corrective action from feedback, reported to leaders.
- Month ______ Responses collected ______
- Median first reply time ______
- Complaints received ______ Closed in time frame ______
- Top three themes ______
- Actions, owner and date ______
Questions
What is PREM in NABH?
Patient reported experience measures, which the 6th Edition asks hospitals to capture as part of patient experience under PRE.7.
Does NABH require costs to be shared before treatment?
Standard PRE.6 gives patients and families a right to information on expected costs, explained clearly.
Must consent cover risks and alternatives?
Yes, the chapter's intent says the key information for informed consent includes risks, benefits and alternatives.
Sources
- 1NABH, 2025NABH Accreditation Standards for Hospitals, 6th Edition, effective 1 January 2025Read source
- 2NABH, 2026Entry Level Hospitals Certification Programme, 2nd EditionRead source
Written by the wai team from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers guidance, checked on 16 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. NABH does not endorse wai or any software.