Performance criteria

Target 2019–20

Result against performance criteria

Implement NSQHS Standards and coordinate the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme, while supporting health services, health professionals, patients and consumers to form effective partnerships

Hospitals and day procedure services assessed against the NSQHS Standards

Achieved and ongoing:

Health service organisations are implementing the second edition of the NSQHS Standards. Assessment to the second edition began on 1 January 2019. Percentage of health services assessed against the NSQHS Standards: 25%.

Note: The Commission provided advice to the health system on 25 March 2020 that the accreditation status of health service organisations would be maintained during the response phase of the COVID 19 pandemic. Organisations that have been assessed and found to meet the criteria for reassessment will be assessed. However, assessments will be conducted remotely during the response phase.

Guidance and resources provided to support health services to meet the second edition of the NSQHS Standards

Achieved and ongoing:

There is an ongoing process of development and release of guides and resources to support health services to meet the second edition of the NSQHS Standards. In 2019–20, resources released included user guides for cognitive impairment, guidance on comprehensive care and a suite of resources for medication management in cancer care. In addition, a Guide for Community Health Services, and a User Guide for Migrants and Refugees have been released for consultation. Fact sheets, case studies and tools to support implementation of the NSQHS Standards have also been released.

Accrediting agencies approved to assess health services against the NSQHS Standards

Achieved:

Eight accrediting agencies were approved to assess against the second edition of the NSQHS Standards from January 2019. One agency ceased operation in March 2020.

Guidance provided to health services, health professionals, patients and consumers about forming effective partnerships

Achieved and ongoing:

Guidance on forming effective partnerships was developed and provided to health services, health professionals, patients and consumers. This included release of the second edition of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights and supporting resources on 8 August 2019.

Examine healthcare variation and work to reduce unwarranted variation to improve quality and appropriateness of care

Rolling program of reports on healthcare variation in Australia produced

Achieved and ongoing:

The Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation is under development and will be released in early 2021.

Clinical care standards and other resources produced focusing on high-impact, high-burden and high-variation areas of clinical care

Achieved and ongoing:

In 2019–20, clinical care standards were finalised for cataract, third and fourth degree perineal tears, and peripheral intravenous catheters. Reviews of the Antimicrobial Stewardship (Version 1, 2014) and Delirium (Version 1, 2016) Clinical Care Standards have begun and will be completed in 2020–21.

Identify, specify and refine clinical and patient-reported measures and safety and quality indicators

Nationally agreed health information standards, measures and indicators for safety and quality provided

Achieved and ongoing:

The Commission developed and maintained:

· Core hospital-based outcome indicators

· Indicators for the clinical care standards

· Measures of hospital-acquired complications

· Measures of avoidable hospital readmissions

· Submission portals and supporting information for national accreditation processes.

Guidance and tools provided for health services to support local use of data for safety and quality improvement

Achieved and ongoing:

In 2019–20, the Commission developed and maintained nationally agreed health information standards, measures and indicators for safety and quality (ISO-compliant METEOR metadata registry) including for hospital-acquired complications (Version 3).

Percentage of consumers participating in the Commission’s consultation and advisory processes who report positively on the work of the Commission*

70%

Deferred until recovery phase:

The Commission’s surveys of stakeholders were deferred, as the Commission wanted to avoid distracting key stakeholders working clinically, managing health services or otherwise engaged in managing Australia’s response to COVID‑19. The surveys will be conducted once Australia reaches the recovery phase of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Percentage of clinicians participating in the Commission’s consultation and advisory processes who report positively on the work of the Commission*

70%

Deferred until recovery phase:

The Commission’s surveys of stakeholders were deferred, as the Commission wanted to avoid distracting key stakeholders working clinically, managing health services or otherwise engaged in managing Australia’s response to COVID‑19. The surveys will be conducted once Australia reaches the recovery phase of the COVID‑19 pandemic.