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Cognitive impairment in hospital is often associated with adverse outcomes, such as falls. For some people with cognitive impairment and for their carers and families, a hospital stay can be a negative experience. Staff may struggle to provide the right care in the absence of appropriate education and training.

In recognition of cognitive impairment as an important safety and quality issue, the Commission has included specific items in NSQHS Standards (second edition).

Establish processes to accurately identify and record Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status.

Building effective and ongoing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and groups that represent or service this population.

A welcoming environment in a health service organisation is about creating a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel safe, comfortable, accepted, and confident that they will be respected, will be listened to and will receive high-quality care.

Providing a supportive environment and clear processes for the workforce to explore the cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients can be a significant step towards the development of a safe and respectful organisation, where patients, their families and other community members can feel comfortable to engage with and receive care.

Under direction of the governing body, the health service organisation ensures that the agreed priorities to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health are implemented.

The governing body has ultimate responsibility for the safety and quality of a health service organisation. Setting priorities for the health service organisation, including priorities for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, is one way a governing body can direct effort and resources to improve care.

The user guide has been developed to support health service organisations implement the six  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health related actions.

The Commission has developed resources to assist health service organisations align their patient safety and quality improvement programs using the framework of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.