Standards and accreditation updates

To update accrediting agencies of health service organisations’ requirements for the 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard in the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards relating to antimicrobial stewardship, specifically in relation to surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis.

To clarify not applicable actions for hospitals, day procedure services, multi-purpose services, bush nursing services, patient transport services and public dental services.

To describe the requirement for accrediting agencies to submit an annual declaration relating to conflicts of interest.

To clarify the requirements for the transition between the 2017 Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard of the National Safety and Quality Health Services (NSQHS) Standards and the 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.

To describe arrangements for accreditation of newly established health service organisations applying for interim accreditation to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

To describe the sampling methodology to be used by accrediting agencies when sampling health service organisations at accreditation assessment.

To clarify the applicability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific actions in the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

To describe assessment requirements for Actions 1.23, 1.24, 1.27b, and 1.28a of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (second edition) for health service organisations implementing the Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard.

To describe the requirement for accrediting agencies to examine external and non-routine internal reports of reviews and investigations into significant safety and quality issues, clinical governance or safety breaches as part of a health service organisation’s accreditation assessment.

To clarify for accrediting agencies and health service organisations their responsibilities and the recommended processes to be followed when health services change accrediting agencies.