HACs FAQs and resources
Based on advice, feedback and discussions with clinical experts and health services from across Australia, the Commission has compiled a list of FAQs and resources that may assist health services in the prevention and reduction of hospital-acquired complications (HACs).
Explore these resources and share your feedback.
Monitoring HACs
The primary intention of the hospital-acquired complications (HACs) list is to support the use of routinely collected data to identify potential areas for safety and quality improvement. It is a tool that enhances local safety and quality monitoring using existing data without the need for a separate nationwide clinical audit for HACs. Data collection and monitoring form the first component of this safety and quality initiative, while reviews to identify potential areas for improvement are the second component.
HACs should be monitored at multiple levels within health services, including by clinicians, managers and governing bodies. Monitoring HACs enables the identification and exploration of issues and the implementation of strategies to reduce them in line with those outlined in the information kit.
High or rising rates of HACs indicate that efforts are needed to understand and reduce these rates. Conversely, low and falling rates of HACs can signify success stories, which should be shared to support quality improvement and maintenance.
Resources developed by the Commission and the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing AuthorityExternal link to support the monitoring of HACs at the local level include:
HAC goal rates
HACs are highly burdensome, both to individual patients and the broader healthcare system. Any extended length of stay may have significant financial, social and/or personal implications for the patient, their families and health service organisations. When examining the rate of each HAC across peer hospitals with similar patient cohorts, it is clear there is significant variation. The Commission encourages all hospitals to work towards the rates achieved in the top quartile of peer facilities, as method introduced in the State of Patient Safety and Quality in Australian Hospitals 2019 report.
The table below details HAC goal rates for the three largest hospital peer groups.
These rates are based on 2023-24 data and will be updated when new data becomes available.
The Commission is currently working on methodologies to provide data for smaller facilities and peer groups, and to provide a times series review of peer and goal rates.
FAQs
HACs literature and resources
- Resources
- Literature
Resources
Literature
Resources
Literature
HACs Information Kit
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