Australian

council on

Healthcare

Standards

Internation

al

ACHSI

AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON HEALTHCARE

STANDARDS

The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to improving the quality of health care in Australia through continual review of performance, assessment and accreditation.

Established in 1974, after many years of pioneering work from a range of health care professionals including members of the Australian Medical Association, medical colleges and the Australian Hospital (now Healthcare) Association, the ACHS has maintained its position as the principal independent authority on the measurement and implementation of quality improvement systems for Australian health care organizations.

Standards for evaluation, assessment and accreditation are determined by a committee drawn from peak bodies in health, representatives of government and consumers.

Over 1,450 member health care organizations, representing more than 1,500 individual organizations, are members of ACHS quality improvement programs. The ACHS is regularly consulted by other countries in relation to standards development, accreditation systems and clinical indicators, and hosts international delegations. The ACHS provides a variety of products and services for accreditation and quality improvement for the full range of health care organizations

ACHS Accreditation

programs

The Evaluation and Quality Improvement Program (EQuIP)

1. EQuIP National2. EQuIP53. EQuIP5 Certification4. EQuIP5 Day Procedure Centers5. EQuIP5 Day Procedure Centers Certification6. EQuIP5 Corporate Health Services7. EQuIP5 Corporate Health Services Certification8. EQuIP5 Corporate Member Services

Other Accreditation

programs

1. National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards (NSQHSS)

2. National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSHMS)3. Common Community Care Standards (CSSS)4. Department of Human Services Standards (Vic only)

Clinical Indicator

The ACHS Clinical Indicator Program is a data collection and reporting service that assists organizations to measure and manage an aspect of clinical care. Quality improvement is a major focus in health care and ACHS Clinical Indicators provide a measure of clinical performance and comparison with 'peer' organizations

The Clinical Indicator program is freely available to ACHS and ACHSI member organizations with non-member organizations also participating.

Principles of all ACHS programs

The principles upon which all ACHS programs are developed reflect the characteristics displayed by an improving

organization. These principles can be applied to all aspects of service within an organization. 

A consumer focus in care provision is demonstrated by

1. Understanding the needs and expectation of present and potential consumers / patients

2. Ensuring consumers / patients are the priority3. Evaluating the service from the consumer / patient

perspective

1. Providing direction for the organization / health service2. Pursuing the ongoing, development of strategies, systems

and methods for achieving excellence3. Inspiring and motivating the workforce and encouraging

employees to contribute, develop and learn4. Considering proposals that are innovative and creative

Effective leadership demonstrates responsibility and commitment to excellence in care provision,

quality improvement and performance by:

Continuous improvement- management and staff demonstrate how they continually strive to improve the quality of care, Continuous improvement assist

the organization / health service through:

1. Looking for ways to improve as an essential of everyday practice

2. Consistently achieving and maintaining quality care that meets consumer / patient needs

3. Monitoring outcomes in consumer / patient care and seeking opportunities to improve both the care and its results.

Evidence of outcomes -organizations depend on the measurement and analysis of performance. 

Indicators of good care processes or, wherever possible, outcomes of care, demonstrate a

commitment to maintaining quality and striving for ongoing improvement by:

1. Providing critical data and information about key processes, outputs and results

2. Reflecting those factors that lead to improved health and/or quality of life for consumers / patients or to better operational performance.

Product and services

The key products and services provided by ACHS International include accreditation programs, the Clinical

Indicator Program, Consultancy and education on specialty topics.

ACHSI Products

Evaluation and Quality Improvement Program (EQuIP)

The key components of EQuIP are:1. The standards that organizations work to achieve;2. a yearly self-assessment to evaluate performance against

the standards;3. ACHSI assistance and guidance around the organization's

self-assessment;4. biennial onsite surveys by an external, experienced team

of accreditation surveyors to provide an independent assessment of the organization's performance against the standards, and

5. the improvement process undertaken by organizations to address the recommendations from the on-site surveys.

ACHSI services

1. Accreditation2. Clinical Indicator Program3. Training and Education4. Consultancy Services5. International Delegations

AccreditationThe Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) provides a range of accreditation services focused on the specific needs of each organization utilizing internationally recognized standards that are focused on the key attributes of a healthcare organization that is committed to the concept of continuous quality improvement.The principles upon which the ACHSI programs are developed reflect the characteristics displayed by an improving organization including:1. a consumer focus in care and service provision;2. effective leadership;3. continuous improvement;4. evidence of outcomes, and5. striving for best practice.

Training and EducationACHSI provides an extensive range of general and customized educational and training activities on a wide range of subjects covering every aspect of accreditation and healthcare including:1. clinical and corporate governance systems;2. safety and  quality systems;3. risk Management;4. safety systems including occupational health and safety,

environment and equipment management and waste management;

5. care planning including care pathways and the use of evidence;

6. infection control standards and systems;7. information and documentation management systems;8. introductory and advanced accreditation;9. medication management;10. consumer participation and engagement,11.Credentialing and scope of clinical practice.

Each ACHSI topic is led by an ACHS Surveyor/Consultant with expert knowledge of the topic. Expertise is drawn from a large pool of consultants from Australia and Internationally.

Consultancy Services

The ACHSI provides a range of international consultancy services including:1. Standards development - e.g. Mental Health;2. Hospital / health service commissioning preparation;3. Hospital / health service quality systems gap analysis;4. Quality systems action plans;5. Clinical indicator collection and analysis, and6. Assisting international accreditation agencies in systems

implementation.

International Delegations

The ACHSI continues to host a steady flow of overseas visiting delegations interested in the Australian and international model of accreditation. Recent interest and delegations have been from Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Romania, China and Macau