Outlines the information for organisations seeking approval as an accrediting agency under the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme.
Specific requirements apply to newly established health service organisations being assessed to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
The awarding of exemplar practice is used to highlight examples of safe and good-quality practice in health services who are implementing the NSQHS Standards, to facilitate the sharing of information between organisations.
Awarding accreditation to a health service organisation provides assurance to the community that the organisation meets expected patient safety and quality standards.
We, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Approved accrediting agencies assess health service organisations to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Module, and/or the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework. These agencies are approved by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) following application and review by an approval panel.
All public and private hospitals, day procedure services and public dental practices are required to be accredited to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
Many other healthcare facilities will also choose to be accredited in order to improve the safety and quality of health care provision. Assessment to the NSQHS Standards second edition commenced in January 2019.
The Commission develops courses that provide an overview of National Safety and Quality Standards and assessment under the rules of the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme.
The Commission has developed a series of fact sheets for consumers and carers about the NSQHS Standards (second edition) and the accreditation process.
Person-centred care is widely recognised as a foundation to safe, high-quality health care. It is care that respects and responds to the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Immobility, such as that associated with extended bed rest in hospital, can cause pressure injuries. Pressure injuries are a major contributor to the care needs of patients within the health industry, and in the majority of cases, pressure injuries are preventable
Falls are a significant cause of harm for older people. The Commission has updated the best practice guidelines for preventing falls and harm from falls in older people.