Overview
Accreditation is independent recognition that an organisation, service, program or activity meets the requirements of defined criteria or standards. Accreditation provides assurance to the consumer and staff on the standard of safety and quality of an organisation.
Queensland Health
In Queensland Health, accreditation requirements for all public hospitals, day procedure services, health care centres, residential aged care facilities and mental health services are outlined in each Hospital and Health Service (HHS) service agreement. Accreditation outcome is a key performance indicator used within the Performance Framework in which the Department of Health monitors and assesses the performance of public sector health services in Queensland.
Accreditation bodies
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS)
In Australia, all public and private hospitals, day procedure services and public dental practices are required to be accredited to the National Safety and Quality Health Care Standards (NSQHS). Many other healthcare facilities will also choose to be accredited in order to improve the safety and quality of health care provision.
All Australian hospitals are assessed at least every three years to the NSQHS Standards. This process is known as accreditation.
Relevant guides and other tools:
(QHEPS) links can only be accessed from a QH-networked computer.
Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme
The AHSSQA Scheme sets out the responsibilities of accrediting agencies in relation to implementation of safety and quality standards.
Audience: Queensland Health
NSQHS Standards advisories, issued by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission), provide formal guidance and direction on the interpretation and/or assessment of the NSQHS Standards.
Audience: Queensland Health
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care publications and resources
An extensive library of resources - from medication charts and labels, fact sheets and user guides, to consensus statements and comprehensive reports.
Audience: Queensland Health
Public reporting on hospital performance: NSQHS standards
You can find out how your hospital performed at their last assessment to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
Audience: Queensland Health
Resources for the NSQHS standards
The commission has developed resources to assist health service organisations align their patient safety and quality improvement programs using the framework of NSQHS Standards.
Audience: Queensland Health
An RBWH resource which contains links to AHSSQA scheme fact sheets and the roles of the five inter-related elements supporting the application of the NSQHS standards.
Audience: Queensland Health
Short Notice Accreditation Assessments Program (SNAAP)
This fact sheet describes the operation of short notice assessments as part of the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme.
Audience: Queensland Health
The key findings of the report on short-notice and unannounced surveys are discussed according to the evidence for their effectiveness and considerations for their use in the AHSSQA Scheme.
Audience: Queensland Health
Relevant videos:
NSQHS standards, monitoring tool tutorial (part 1)
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care developed the monitoring tool as part of a suite of resources to assist health service oraganisations to implement the NSQHS standards. This monitoring tool allows health service organisations to track the progrss of implementing each standard.
NSQHS standards, monitoring tool tutorial (part 2)
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care developed the monitoring tool as part of a suite of resources to assist health service oraganisations to implement the NSQHS standards. In this episode, it covers customising data display, organising information, printing the tool and some tips and tricks.
National Standards for Disability Services
Centres which provide permanent residential care and respite care for clients with both intellectual and physical disabilities, are subject to external accreditation under the National Standards for Disability Services.
Relevant guide:
National Standards for Disability Services
These standards have a greater focus on person centered approaches and promote choice and control by people with disability. These are considered critical under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Audience: Queensland Health
Aged Care
Residential aged care facilities are accredited under the Aged Care Quality Standards by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Relevant guide:
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
The Commission assesses and monitors quality of care and services against the Aged Care Quality Standards. Information and resources are available to help service providers and consumers understand the Standards.
Audience: Queensland Health
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Last updated: 11 Aug 2023
Publication type: Collection
Audience: Metro North Health, Queensland Health