Improved Safety for Healthcare Service Providers

Media release: Improved Safety and Quality for Healthcare Service Providers

18 February 2008

Patient outcomes are set to be improved by the Healthcare Sector scheme, developed by a specialist committee whose representation included healthcare service providers, health profession organisations, community organisations, and accreditation and certification bodies.

The Healthcare Sector scheme was developed under the guidance of the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) and expands on JAS-ANZ's Hospital Accreditation Agencies scheme.

Chair of the committee that developed the expanded scheme, Ms Marie Colwell of Asoka International, commented; "the scheme picks up on the recently published Core Standards for Safety and Quality in Healthcare."

"These core standards cover five critical areas for healthcare service providers; the management of the health service, clinical practices, best available practice guidelines, personnel, and consumer rights. These are the necessary minimum requirements for a healthcare service of any nature or size."

"Overall the scheme provides healthcare service providers with the tools to improve patient outcomes in a systematic and auditable way."

JAS-ANZ Chief Executive Dr James Galloway said; "The Healthcare Sector scheme is backed by a system of audit based on a rigorously appointed audit team, and a comprehensive scope of surveillance activities. Confidence is built through annual surveillance visits."

"The scheme will be supported by a network of JAS-ANZ accredited certification bodies offering competition and choice in the provision of certification services, and operating at a level consistent with international best practice for management systems."

The scheme is available for use in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

JAS-ANZ has considerable experience in the delivery of accredited certification schemes to the healthcare sector, including healthcare-specific schemes such as the General Practice Accreditation scheme and the HAA scheme.

ENDS

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