Clinical audit
Clinical audit is a key component in the ongoing quest for quality improvement within healthcare systems. Its essence revolves around the evaluation of performance against specific, evidence-based criteria, enabling professionals to confirm that appropriate care is being provided or to identify areas for improvement.
Highlights[edit | edit source]
- Clinical audit aims to improve patient care and outcomes by examining and comparing current practices against specific standards or criteria.
- It was formally introduced into the UK's National Health Service (NHS) in 1993, and a specific guidance group exists to oversee its implementation.
- Clinical audit is an integral part of Clinical Governance, which encompasses various aspects that work towards improving the standard of clinical practice.
- Different types of audit include standards-based audit, adverse occurrence screening, peer review, and patient surveys.
- The clinical audit process operates in a cycle: identifying issues, defining criteria, collecting data, comparing performance, implementing changes, and re-auditing to assess the impact of those changes.
- Proper management at various hierarchical levels is essential for the effective implementation and outcome of clinical audits.
- Convincing hospitals and clinicians to adopt and apply clinical audit can be challenging, but in the UK, it is mandated as part of clinical governance measures.
- Internationally, hospital accreditation schemes promote clinical audits as a hallmark of clinical governance.
Importance[edit | edit source]
The inclusion of clinical audits in healthcare systems signifies the dedication to continuously enhance the quality of care provided to patients. By regularly measuring and evaluating practices, healthcare professionals can ensure that they offer the best possible care based on the latest evidence. Moreover, it fosters a culture of transparency and accountability, driving hospitals and clinics to maintain high standards and continually seek improvement. This ongoing pursuit of excellence not only boosts the overall standard of healthcare but also elevates patient trust in the system.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
