| AUDITS
Whilst some
of the detail will vary, all HQS accreditation programmes
follow the audit process outlined below.
Implementing
the programme
It
takes on average 12 months from the start of the project to
the external peer review. Implementing the programme is a
staged process which begins with the client conducting a base-line
assessment. The information from this exercise determines
the areas which require attention. Thereafter one or two more
self assessments will usually be carried out to gauge progress
with implementing the standards.
The client needs to appoint a project manager to co-ordinate
activities across the organisation. The project manager will
attend initial training, receive a project manager manual,
attend network days and liaise with the HQS client manager
throughout the process.
Client
support
Every
client is allocated a client manager who will provide guidance
and support throughout the audit process. This will include
the provision of best practice examples, contact details to
aid networking, training for internal auditors, advice on
the best way to present evidence, timetabling for the survey,
etc
All
HQS client managers complete an International Register of
Certified Assessors (IRCA) course and examination to become
certified lead QMS auditors. The client manager will either
directly lead the external survey, or in some instances in
primary care, oversee and guide local health care professionals
Standards
development and interpretation
We
provide and maintain an up to date comprehensive set of national
standards with help to interpret them in a way that aids local
review, action and improvement. (click
here to see example standards)
Peer
and expert review
The
survey teams comprise senior health care professionals who
work in a voluntary capacity and are chosen for their experience,
knowledge and credibility as well as their appropriateness
to the type of organisation and services it provides. All
surveyors attend a rigorous two day training and assessment
event before being selected. The number of surveyors in the
team and duration of the survey will depend on the size of
the organisation.
During
the survey evidence is gathered from documentation, interviews
with staff and patients and observations of work in a representative
sample of service areas. All findings are documented carefully.
Within
20 - 30 working days of the survey a draft comprehensive report
of the surveyors' findings is sent to the client and provides
the organisation with an action plan and :
-
A detailed assessment of its performance against HQS standards
-
Identification of areas where performance is satisfactory
or where further improvement is required
- Commendations
for areas of best practice
- Suggestions
and recommendations for improvement-
Accreditation
HQS is recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service
(UKAS) and has been accrediting healthcare organisations since
1995. Organisations that successfully achieve HQS standards
are awarded accreditation for a period of three years from
the date of the peer review survey.
A certificate and plaque of accreditation, and/or ISO certification
as appropriate, is provided to accredited organisations. At
the invitation of the client, a director of the Health Quality
Service will attend the organisation's ceremony to present
the HQS plaque of accreditation.
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Picture:
(left) Paul White, Chief Executive Barts and The London
NHS Trust and (right) Peter Griffiths, then Chief Executive
HQS.
Commenting
on the HQS accreditation, Chief Executive Paul White
said: "This achievement is testimony to the high
quality of patient care provided in the Trust and to
the professionalism and dedication of staff in meeting
the rigorous HQS standards. HQS accreditation is extremely
prestigious and reflects the commitment to excellence
that underpins the performance of care in the Trust.
It is something we are very proud of."
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Monitoring
progress
Once
an organisation has achieved accreditation HQS organises a
process of monitoring to ensure standards are being maintained
and to review the organisation's achievements in relation
to its action plan. This will include an examination of key
documents and associated results and focus on any issues identified
by the Accreditation Committee.
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