Advisory details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advisory number | AS18/02 |
| Version number | 2.0 |
| Publication date | June 2020 |
| Replaces | AS18/02 version 1.0 published on June 2018 |
| Compliance with this advisory | It is mandatory for approved accrediting agencies to implement this Advisory |
| Information in this advisory applies to |
|
| Key relationship | All NSQHS Standards |
| Attachment | National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (second edition) Guide for Interim Accreditation |
| Notes | Page 3 updated to clarify the period of interim accreditation and timelines for accreditation review |
| Responsible officer | Margaret Banks Director, National Standards Phone: 1800 304 056 Email: accreditation@safetyandquality.gov.au |
| To be reviewed | December 2022 |
Purpose
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.
Issue
The Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Amendment Rules 2012 (No. 10) (the Benefit Requirements Amendment Rules) and the Private Health Insurance (Accreditation) Amendment Rules 2012 (No. 2) (the Accreditation Amendment Rules) were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) on 2 January 2013 and commenced on 3 January 2013 relating to the requirements to access private health insurance funding.
The purpose of these Amendment Rules is to make minor technical changes in light of the NSQHS Standards developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) which commenced from 1 January 2013.
Further information is available in the Australian Government Department of Health private health insurance circulars available at:
- PHI 89/12 (http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/healthphicirculars2012-89)
- PHI 07/13 (http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/healthphicirculars2013-07).
The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards Guide for Interim Accreditation provides guidance for health service organisations commencing the provision of health services and seeking accreditation. It also serves as a reference for accrediting agencies when assessing new health service organisations.
The document describes each of the 148 actions in the NSQHS Standards stating their applicability or otherwise. Some actions have been prescribed. This occurs for actions where patients or patient information is required that may not yet be available because the operation is just commencing, but should be undertaken during the 12 month period of interim accreditation.
Interim accreditation for a newly established health service organisation, as described in this document, satisfies the requirement for accreditation to the NSQHS Standards for the purpose of achieving second-tier default benefit eligibility under the Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2011.
Requirements
Accrediting agencies are to use the document National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (second edition) Guide to Interim Accreditation to assess new health service organisations that have not previously provided patient care. This does not include existing health service organisations relocating to new facilities or existing health service organisations commencing a new service.
Newly established health service organisations can only be assessed following commencement of services to patients and that assessment should occur within 10 working days from the commencement of service provision.
The newly established health service organisation may apply to their accrediting agencies for not applicable status of an action where the action is inappropriate in the context of their service. Accrediting agencies should consider Advisory AS18/01 Advice on not applicable actions when assessing submissions for non-applicable actions. Submissions from health service organisations for not applicable status that are not consistent with Advisory AS18/01 are to be forwarded to the Commission for consideration.
Organisations that meet the specified requirements for new health services accreditation are to be awarded interim accreditation and the wording on certificates is to reflect the interim status. The interim accreditation certificate will be awarded for a period of up to 18 months from the commencement of an assessment cycle. An assessment cycle is generally four months and includes initial and final assessment and reporting periods.
Health service organisations with interim accreditation are to undertake an accreditation review within 12 months of the commencement of the initial assessment and accrediting agencies are to have completed the processes of assessment and awarding accreditation (where eligible) within 18 months. An 18-month accreditation award allows for:
- a 12-month operational period with accreditation
- an initial assessment
- a three-month period of remediation and a final assessment when required
- a one-month period for the accrediting agency to report and award accreditation.
Assessments where all required actions are met at initial assessment and a period of remediation is not required can be finalised prior to the 18-month timeline.