Final answer:
The hospital standardization movement was initiated by the American College of Surgeons to improve hospital care quality. They set the first hospital standards that were standardized across hospitals, which was foundational in the development of medical practices and patient care during the early 20th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hospital standardization movement was inaugurated by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This movement, which began in the early 20th century, was aimed at improving the quality of care provided by hospitals. The ACS introduced a standardization program that set the first hospital standards that emphasized the importance of creating proper environments to perform surgeries and provide patient care. Despite the existence of organizations like the American Medical Association, which was formed in 1847, there was a lack of effective oversight and uniform standards in medical practices, leading to diverse outcomes in patient care quality.
The National Medical Association, which represented Black physicians who were often barred from joining the AMA due to racial discrimination, also played a significant role in the advancement of hospital and health care standards among hospitals serving African American communities. While the ACS efforts laid the foundation for hospital standardization, the interconnected struggles for civil rights and healthcare equity helped propel further improvements in health standards and eventually contributed to the desegregation of hospitals.