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Summer 2023 eNews
Tuesday 7 February
In this issue:
- Primary and Community Healthcare Standards guide
- Accreditation begins soon for clinical trials
- Help shape the future of clinical quality registries
- Get familiar with the mental health standards for CMOs
- New data reinforces antimicrobial resistance priorities
- Transition of Quality Use of Medicines programs
- Meet Suchit Handa, Director, Safety and Quality Improvement Systems
Work in allied health or have an interest in primary care? We're keen to get your thoughts on the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards Guide for Healthcare Services.
This comprehensive guide to accreditation to the standards includes practical guidance and examples of evidence that services can use to implement the actions in the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards. Share your feedback before 28 February.
Accreditation begins soon for clinical trials
In March, accreditation to the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework will begin for all health services conducting clinical trials in alignment to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
To assist implementation, the Commission has developed new resources, including a tool to conduct a self-assessment, manage examples of evidence and report on trial operations.
Organisations can also access direct support through the Safety and Quality Advice Centre, and join preparatory information sessions to learn more.
Clinical quality registries support the delivery of better value care, improve patient outcomes and are a critical part of health infrastructure.
Public consultation on the Framework for Australian clinical quality registries Second Edition is now open. The Commission is seeking feedback on the revised Framework, local design and infrastructure, and security compliance guidelines.
Have your say on the updated Framework to shape the future of this valuable health asset.
The Commission launched new mental health standards for Community Managed Organisations (CMOs) late last year. These standards aim to continuously improve the quality of mental health service provision in community settings and to protect service users from harm.
Access the standards and learn more about the next steps for accreditation.
New data reinforces antimicrobial resistance priorities
The AGAR Surveillance Outcomes Programs 2021 Report showed that episodes of bloodstream infection were overwhelmingly community-onset and commonly associated with urinary tract infections and the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Cross- and co-resistance to antimicrobials commonly used in the community may be driving increased resistance to some antibiotics.
Antimicrobial use and appropriateness in the community: 2020-2021 reported that while there was a dramatic decline in antimicrobial use during 2020 and 2021 that coincided with the pandemic response, there is room for improvement in prescribing antimicrobials.
Transition of Quality Use of Medicines programs
As of 1 January 2023, a range of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) functions have transitioned to the Commission, as outlined in the redesign of the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.
These functions were previously provided by NPS MedicineWise, and over the past three months our organisations worked closely together to support this change.
Now that the initial transition has occurred, the Commission will be reviewing the operation of the functions and programs with a view to identifying opportunities for improvement and aligning national work on QUM.
The Commission will be working closely with consumers, general practitioners, pharmacists and other clinicians as review processes commence.
For more information, visit Quality Use of Medicines or email QUMProgram@safetyandquality.gov.au.
Short notice assessments
Short notice assessments will commence from 1 July 2023. This change applies to all health service organisations where licencing requires accreditation to the NSQHS Standards, including hospitals and day procedure services.
Find out more about the requirements and transition arrangements in this fact sheet.
Updated Guiding Principles
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, in collaboration with the Commission, has updated the national guiding principles and their supplementary resources to improve the quality and safety of medication management for all Australians.
View the revised guiding principles and supplementary resources.
Quick Bites
To help service providers understand and implement the Digital Mental Health Standards, the Commission has published six new action guides. These guides cover privacy, governance, information security, incident management, healthcare rights and partnering with service users for practical strategies and advice.
Already accredited to the NSQHS Standards? Download the new mapping document to see how the Digital Mental Health Standards align.
Join the latest webinar in the Person-Centred Care in Practice series, Patient Experience and Consumer Partnerships, to discover how John Fawkner Private Hospital in Victoria uses consumer partnerships to enhance person-centred care at all levels of the organisation.
Register now: Wednesday 22 February, 11am AEDT.
Opinion: We can do more to reduce harm from opioid medicines
Have you seen our new Atlas times series report on opioid medicines dispensing? Read the latest article in The Medical Republic by GP Dr Damien Zilm and Pain Medicine Specialist Dr Chris Hayes.
The good news is that Australian doctors are prescribing fewer and lower doses of opioids. PBS data show an 18% drop in opioid dispensing rates in the five years to 2020–21, but more can be done to reduce harm from opioid misuse.
Careers at the Commission
Meet Suchit Handa, Director, Safety and Quality Improvement Systems
What is your role, in 25 words or less?
SQIS (as we like to call ourselves) is responsible for a range of projects that support the meaningful use of indicators and data to improve the safety and quality of health care.
What did you do before the Commission?
I was the General Manager at Griffith Base Hospital and, before that, the Director of Corporate Services at Fairfield Hospital.
What was your first job?
When I was nine years old, I volunteered for my father’s business, delivering confectionaries to corner stores in NZ. My first paid job was working at Levi’s at 15.
What is it like working at the Commission?
Working at the Commission is challenging and rewarding. Successfully moving national health policy forward requires significant stakeholder engagement. Analysing problems from several angles, problem-solving in partnership with our stakeholders and approaching implementation from different perspectives ultimately improves Australia's healthcare system.
What are the top three things on your to-do list?
1. Build on the Incident Management work the Commission has already delivered.
2. Finalise the Clinical Quality Registries Framework Second Edition.
3. Help facilitate the implementation of the National Clinical Trials Accreditation Scheme.
What are you looking forward to in the coming year?
Getting out and about to meet the people who run the health system. I want to understand the pain points from their perspective, to see if there is anything my team and I can do to better support them in delivering high-quality, safe care to Australians.
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