The implementation of National Safety and Quality Standards in Australia's health system

This chapter reviews the recent implementation of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The standards form the foundation of a nationally consistent accreditation system, building on a long-standing history of hospital accreditation administered at regional and local levels. The arrangements seek to improve co-ordination and reduce fragmentation and duplication of the standard setting and assessment functions across the health system. While the new system provides for greater feedback of performance for governments, further clarification of roles at different levels of government is still required to streamline hospital performance oversight processes. The standards have been well received across the system, with key stakeholders endorsing the consultative approach to their development, enhanced clinical relevance and alignment with existing national and regional programmes. Broader application of the standards beyond the acute hospital sector will require development of further guidance, along with careful consideration of existing accreditation arrangements in mental health and primary and community care. The standards address important but relatively uncontested safety issues. Follow through on the planned evaluation of the standards is important.