AB Plastic Surgery Obtains KAHF Accreditation: Medical Services and Technical Excellence Meeting International Standards

AB Plastic Surgery Clinic has officially received the Korean Accreditation Program for Hospitals Serving Foreign Patients (KAHF), organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This accreditation serves as a formal recognition that the clinic’s medical service capabilities for international patients align with global standards.

The KAHF is a nationally recognized accreditation system implemented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. It strictly evaluates and certifies medical institutions capable of providing safe and reliable medical services to patients based on rigorous international criteria. Operating under the "Act on Support for Overseas Expansion of Healthcare Services and Attraction of International Patients," KAHF is regarded as South Korea's representative medical service certification that comprehensively verifies clinical systems and patient safety management.

The evaluation framework consists of the "International Patient Specialization System," which verifies the capability to provide appropriate medical services to foreign patients, and the "Patient Safety System," which assesses the quality of care and safety levels for all patients, including domestic residents. Through this, the overall operations of the medical institution are comprehensively verified, and accreditation is granted only to those that meet all criteria.

The evaluation items are exceptionally stringent. In-depth, field-oriented investigations are conducted on approximately 140 detailed items in accordance with strict international standards, including patient-centered clinical operating systems, the presence of specialized medical personnel, respect for patient rights and medical dispute prevention systems, patient safety activities, infection control, and facility and environmental management. In particular, core items directly related to patient safety must meet the standards; the process is so rigorous that accreditation is impossible if any criteria are unmet.

While the KAHF accreditation targets institutions attracting international patients, its core focus remains on the essential quality management of medical services—such as patient safety, clinical systems, infection control, and protection of patient rights. Consequently, domestic patients receive medical services identical to these international standards. In other words, the verification of service capabilities for international patients serves as an indicator that domestic patients can also receive medical care in a more systematic and safe environment.

During the evaluation process, AB Plastic Surgery was recognized for establishing a systematic clinical system and a patient-safety-centered medical environment. The clinic operates a rigorous infection prevention and hygiene management system for its operating rooms and overall medical environment, continually striving to prioritize patient safety. Furthermore, through a resident anesthesiologist system, the clinic provides more stable medical services throughout the entire surgical process.

Additionally, the clinic has established a professional coordination system and a systematic consultation and clinical guidance process to support patients in accessing medical services more safely and conveniently.

Bae In-ho, Representative Director of AB Plastic Surgery, stated, "I find it very meaningful that the collective efforts of our entire staff to create an environment where patients can receive medical services with peace of mind have resulted in this accreditation. Moving forward, we will continue to uphold patient safety as our top priority and strengthen the quality of our medical services to remain a medical institution that everyone can trust."

Meanwhile, AB Plastic Surgery officially received the KAHF certificate from the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the "Medical Korea 2026" event held at COEX on the 20th, formally validating its medical service capabilities.