S4) Improving Quality and Safety in the NHS Flashcards Preview

(LUSUMA) Applied Social & Behavioural Healthcare Delivery Science II > S4) Improving Quality and Safety in the NHS > Flashcards

Flashcards in S4) Improving Quality and Safety in the NHS Deck (14)
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1
Q

What are the barriers which deter people from voicing their concerns in the NHS?

A
  • Hierarchical relationships
  • Lack of certainty that it will give rise to improvements
  • Informal hostility in working relationships
  • Lack of certainty if something is problematic
2
Q

What are the system factors which impact safety?

A
3
Q

With reference to human factors, identify six ways in which one could make the system safer?

A
  • Avoid reliance on memory
  • Make things visible
  • Review and simplify processes
  • Standardise common processes and procedures
  • Routinely use checklists
  • Decrease the reliance on vigilance
4
Q

What is clinical governance?

A

Clinical governance is a framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish

5
Q

What are the six NHS quality improvement mechanisms?

A
  • Standard setting
  • Commissioning
  • Financial incentives
  • Disclosure
  • Regulation, registration and inspection
  • Clinical audit and quality improvement (local and national)
6
Q

Describe ‘standard setting’ as an NHS quality improvement mechanism

A
  • NICE sets quality standards based on best available evidence
  • Aim to define what high quality care should look like
7
Q

Describe ‘commissioning’ as an NHS quality improvement mechanism

A
  • Commission services for their local populations
  • Drive quality through contracts
8
Q

Describe ‘financial incentives’ as an NHS quality improvement mechanism

A
  • Finance is increasingly linked to quality in the NHS
  • Used both to reward and to penalise
9
Q

What are the aims of a national tarriff?

A
  • Intended to provide consistent basis for commissioning services
  • Intended to incentivise efficiency
  • Intended to reward best practice
10
Q

Describe ‘disclosure’ as an NHS quality improvement mechanism

A
  • Increasing emphasis on disclosing information about performance to patients and the public
  • Organisational level and individual level
  • Focus on safety, effectiveness, and experience of patients
11
Q

Describe ‘regulation, registration and inspection’ as an NHS quality improvement mechanism

A
  • NHS trusts must be registered with the Care Quality Commission
  • The CQC can impose “conditions” of registration if it is not satisfied and can issue warning notices, fines, prosecution, restrictions on activities
12
Q

What is a clinical audit?

A

A clinical audit is a process of identifying quality of care, trying to change it, then seeing whether it has changed

13
Q

What is involved in a clinical audit?

A
  • Setting standards
  • Measuring current practice
  • Comparing results with standards (criteria)
  • Changing practice
  • Re-auditing to make sure practice has improved
14
Q

Illustrate an audit cycle

A