HACs information kit

The Commission, in consultation with clinical experts from across Australia, has developed the hospital-acquired complications (HACs) information kit. The kit has been developed to improve the safety and quality of health services, and outcomes for Australian patients.

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Overview of the HACs information kit

The information kit includes a suite of resources for clinicians, safety and quality professionals, managers and executives, governing bodies and others, to put in place strategies that reduce the occurrence of HACs. Monitoring HACs, and using strategies in the information kit to reduce the occurrence of HACs, can be used as evidence during accreditation against the National Safety and Quality Health Service standards.

The HACs information kit includes three elements:

  • Introductory content
    This material defines the 16 HACs, explains their development, why they are important, and how monitoring and responding to HACs can help provide the best care for patients.
  • Short fact sheets
    These short documents are designed as quick reference guides for each HAC for frontline clinicians. They focus on the impact of the HACs on Australian health services. 
  • Detailed fact sheets
    These fact sheets are designed for clinicians, safety and quality professionals, managers and executives and governing bodies. They include an overview of the governance structures and quality improvement processes needed to minimise the occurrence of a HAC. They also outline key steps to develop and deliver a comprehensive care plan for the patient. 

Download the full kit

Individual HACs resources

Individual resources within the HACs information kit are provided below:

  • 5. Unplanned intensive care unit admission - A fact sheet has not been prepared for HAC 5, which relates to ‘unplanned intensive care unit admission’. See the Introduction of the HACs information kit for further information.

Monitoring HACs

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 Hospital Pricing Authority to support monitoring of HACs at the local level include: