Table 3

Australian Council on Healthcare Standards accreditation criteria

Functional groupKey concept of the standardKey elements of the criteria
Continuum of careAccess to healthcare appropriate to needInformation
Location and physical access
Priority admission on needs
Assessment by competent professionalsIdentification of consumer needs
Planning, delivery and evaluation of carePartnership with consumer Evaluation of care
Consumer needs for ongoing careDischarge/transfer process
Leadership and managementStrategic direction and operational frameworkPlanning and development
Legislation
Formal governance structures
Delegation of authority
Documented policies
Prevention and management of risksRisk-management policy
Risk-management system
Commitment to quality improvementQuality-improvement system
Consumer participationConsumer involvement
Rights and responsibilities
Human-resources managementManagement of human resourcesHuman resource planning
Skills and competencies
Performance management
Learning and development
Workplace relations
Staff support
Information managementValid information sourcesHealth records
Unique identification
Non-clinical information
Records management
Reference/resource material
Information to meet strategic and operational needsData for information
Clinical classification
Data analysis
ITIntegrated IT planning
Management of risks to IT
Safe practice and environmentSystematic risk-management programmeStaff/patient health and safety
Buildings, plant, equipment
Infection control
Emergencies
Manual handling
Security
Dangerous goods/hazards
Radiation
Waste
Improving performanceCommitment to improving performanceDemonstration of responsibility and commitment

  • Source: ACHS.15

  • All italic issues require implemented and evaluated systems (Moderate Achievement rating) to gain or retain accreditation status.

  • IT, Information technology.