Understanding the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme

The Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme is a voluntary national accreditation program for healthcare organisations in Australia. The program is designed to promote safe, high-quality healthcare services by setting standards for healthcare organisations and assessing compliance with those standards. The Australian Commission manages the AHSSQA Scheme on Safety and Quality in Health Care, which sets the standards that healthcare organisations must meet to become accredited.

One of the key components of the AHSSQA Scheme is the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The NSQHS Standards provide a framework for healthcare organisations to ensure safe and high-quality care. There are eight NSQHS Standards in total, covering areas such as clinical governance, partnering with consumers, medication safety and infection prevention and control.

The NSQHS Standards are designed to be adaptable to different healthcare settings and can be applied to hospitals, primary care services, mental health services, dental clinics or aged care centres. The Standards offer a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of care and patient safety. Healthcare organisations participating in the AHSSQA scheme must be compliant with the Standards.

How to Become Accredited Under the AHSSQA Scheme

To become accredited under the AHSSQA Scheme, healthcare organisations must undergo a rigorous assessment process that includes an on-site survey by trained assessors. These assessors evaluate the organisation’s compliance with the NSQHS Standards, including its governance and leadership, clinical safety and quality and consumer engagement. The assessment process is designed to be collaborative, with assessors working with the healthcare organisation to identify areas for improvement and provide guidance on achieving compliance with the Standards.

Currently, the only organisations approved for accreditation purposes are:

• Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS)
• Certification Partner Global (CPG)
• Global Mark Pty Ltd
• HDAA Australia Pty Ltd
• Institute for Healthy Communities Australia Certification (IHCAC) Pty Ltd
• Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) Limited

The Benefits of the AHSSQA Scheme

One of the key benefits of the AHSSQA Scheme is that it provides healthcare organisations with a framework for continuous quality improvement. Healthcare organisations participating in the Scheme are encouraged to use the Standards to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance the safety and quality of care they provide. The AHSSQA Scheme also provides resources and tools to support the quality improvement efforts of healthcare organisations.

The AHSSQA Scheme has several benefits for healthcare organisations, including:

1. Improved patient safety and quality of care: Accreditation helps healthcare organisations identify areas where they can improve their safety and quality of care. By implementing the AHSSQA standards, healthcare organisations can ensure that they deliver safe and effective healthcare services.
2. Enhanced reputation: It can help healthcare organisations build their reputation by demonstrating their commitment to quality and safety. Accredited healthcare organisations can use the AHSSQA logo to promote their accreditation status to patients, staff, and stakeholders.
3. Increased funding opportunities:Accreditation is often a requirement for healthcare organisations to receive government funding. By participating in the AHSSQA Scheme, healthcare organisations can present a better case when receiving funding for their services.
4. Professional development: The AHSSQA Scheme provides healthcare organisations with access to training and resources to help them improve their safety and quality of care. Accreditation can also provide staff with opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD).

The Role of Nurses in Meeting NSQHS Standards

Nurses are critical in ensuring that healthcare organisations meet the NSQHS Standards and deliver safe and high-quality care. As such, the AHSSQA Scheme provides a range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for nurses in Australia. These courses are designed to help nurses understand the NSQHS Standards and develop the knowledge and skills needed to support quality improvement efforts in their healthcare organisation.

CPD courses for nurses in Australia cover a range of topics related to patient safety and quality of care, including infection prevention and control, medication safety, and clinical governance. These courses are interactive and engaging and are delivered by experienced healthcare professionals. Nurses who complete CPD courses under the AHSSQA Scheme receive a certificate of completion, which can be used to demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.

The AHSSQA Scheme also provides nurses access to resources and tools to support their quality improvement efforts. These resources include guidelines, toolkits, and case studies that provide practical advice and examples of best practices. Nurses can use these resources to help identify areas for improvement in their healthcare organisation and develop strategies to address them.

Conclusion

Healthcare organisations and nurses need to understand the NSQHS Standards and the AHSSQA Scheme to ensure they deliver safe and high-quality care. Healthcare organisations that participate in the Scheme can demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety, which can help to build trust with patients and their families. Nurses who engage with the Scheme can develop the knowledge and skills needed to support quality improvement efforts in their healthcare organisation and advance their careers.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the AHSSQA Scheme will likely continue to play an important role in promoting safe, high-quality healthcare services in Australia. Nurses and healthcare organisations should continue to engage with the Scheme and use it to drive continuous quality improvement and enhance patient safety and quality of care.