Table 1 The 16 accreditation standards published in the handbook by IKAS
From: Understanding accreditation standards in general practice – a qualitative study
Name of standard | Focus areas |
|---|---|
1. The professional quality | Use of diagnosis coding. Collection, analysis and use of clinical data for quality improvement. |
2. Use of good clinical practice | Adherence to clinical guidelines particularly for diabetes and COPD. Special attention to vulnerable patients via a yearly plan for a selected group |
3. Adverse events | Reporting, follow-up and process for learning in case of adverse events. |
4. Patient evaluations | Completion of a patient evaluation and follow-up on the results. |
5. Prevention of confusion of patient’s identity | Identification of patients principally by social security number and labelling of diagnostic material. |
6. Prescription of medicine and renewal of prescriptions | Rational and safe medicine ordination and renewal of prescriptions. Participation in regional initiatives for correct medicine management. Annual assessment of patients’ list of medicine. Reporting of side effects. |
7. Paraclinical tests | Execution of tests and handling of test materials. Quality control of equipment. Requisition and follow-up of paraclinical tests. Procedures for test results in case of GP’s absence. Procedures for missing tests results. |
8. Emergency response and cardiac arrest | Handling of acute disease and cardiac arrest in the clinic. Participation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation course. |
9. The patient health record, data safety and confidentiality | Content of patient health record conforms to current legislation. Journal audit performed and followed-up upon if needed. Safe storage, handling and destruction of sensitive personal data. Discretion and confidentiality for patients. |
10. Availability | Accessibility in accordance with the collective agreement (e.g. telephone hours, opening hours and waiting time). Physical accessibility. Visitation of patients. Online practice declaration with relevant information. |
11. Referral | Relevant and adequate content and handling of referrals. |
12. Coordination of patient care | Coordination and continuity of patient trajectories in the clinic and in collaboration with other health care providers. |
13. Acquisition, storage and disposal of clinical utensils and medicine/vaccines | Sufficient stuck of utensils, medicine and vaccines. Correct storage of medicine e.g. at the right temperature. Control of expiration dates. Correct disposal. |
14. Hygiene | Cleaning of the clinic and inventory. Cleaning and storage of medical equipment. Correct hand hygiene. Management of infectious patients. |
15. Management and operational activities | Ensuring good management via plans for quality improvement, division of responsibilities and tasks, quality control and development goals. |
16. Hiring, introduction and competency development | Procedures for employing new staff with the right competences, for introducing new doctors and staff, for supervising staff and doctors in training and for ensuring on-going competency development. |