Mexico Approves Certification Standards for Health Facilities

Mexico’s General Health Council (CSG) approved new manuals to certify hospitals, dialysis units, and primary care facilities under the Model for Certification and Standardization of Best Practices in Health Services (MOCEBPASS). The initiative aims to improve patient safety and service quality nationwide.

The approved manuals set detailed standards for different types of health facilities. Hospital protocols include 273 standards. The dialysis unit manual outlines 228 standards, while the primary care document adds 51 criteria for independent clinics and pharmacies. Cristina González, Official, CSG, says that the manuals take effect the day after publication in the Federal Gazette of the Federation (DOF), ensuring immediate legal validity.

The session also ratified guidelines for the selection, training, and evaluation of MOCEBPASS auditors. These regulations standardize the certification process, including requirements for agreements with proposing institutions, work responsibility letters, codes of ethics, and confidentiality mechanisms.

Additionally, the CSG approved rules for the use of a certification logo, signaling patient safety and service quality. Certified facilities may display the logo on documents, uniforms, and digital platforms. A star-based system will indicate compliance with best practices and measurable impact on the health system.

The MOCEBPASS rollout represents a broader effort by the General Health Council to advance continuous quality improvement in medical care. By setting unified standards and formalizing the certification process, the council seeks to create a more reliable, patient-centered health system across Mexico.