Final answer:
The hospital standardization movement was started by the American College of Surgeons in 1918 to ensure consistent and high-quality care across hospitals. This effort later evolved into the Hospital Standardization Program, leading to today’s accreditation processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hospital standardization movement was initiated by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
In the early 20th century, healthcare and hospital services were varied and lacking in standard practices. The ACS recognized the need for uniform standards in hospital care to ensure patient safety and high-quality care. In 1918, the ACS began to inspect hospitals, and this push eventually evolved into the Hospital Standardization Program, the forerunner to today's Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Although the American Medical Association (AMA) played a crucial role in improving medical education through the Flexner Report in 1910, it was the ACS that directly initiated the standardization of hospital care.
It is important to note that throughout history, many organizations like the AMA and the National Medical Association (NMA) contributed to healthcare reform and the advancement of medical standards. However, when it comes to the inception of the hospital standardization movement, the credit goes to the ACS.