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National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
The National Standards set requirements for delivering comprehensive care for all patients and includes actions related to health literacy, end of life care, care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and care for people with mental illness or cognitive impairment.
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards form the basis of accreditation of WA hospitals, as set out in the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards Accreditation Policy. The NSQHS Standards provide consumers with a base level of care standard they can expect from health service organisations and provide health service organisations with a structure to ensure they are providing safe and high-quality care.
The six clinical standards are outlined in the table below, with reference to relevant WA health system mandatory policies, guidelines and standards. It is important to note that these mandatory policies will be operationalised locally and there will be other local policies relevant to implementation of the standards.
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Preventing and controlling infections
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The Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard (external site) aims to improve infection prevention and control measures to help prevent infections, and the spread of antimicrobial resistance through the appropriate prescribing and use of antimicrobials.
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Medication safety
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The Medication Safety Standard aims to ensure that clinicians safely prescribe, dispense and administer appropriate medicines, and monitor medicine use. It also aims to ensure that consumers are informed about medicines, and understand their own medicine needs and risks.
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Comprehensive care
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The Comprehensive Care Standard aims to ensure that patients receive comprehensive health care that meets their individual needs, and considers the impact of their health issues on their life and wellbeing. It also aims to ensure that risks of harm for patients during health care are prevented and managed through targeted strategies. It includes actions related to falls, pressure injuries, nutrition, mental health, cognitive impairment and end-of-life care.
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Communicating for safety
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The Communicating for Safety Standard (external site) aims to ensure timely, purpose-driven and effective communication and documentation that support continuous, coordinated and safe care for patients.
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Blood management
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The Blood Management Standard (external site) aims to improve outcomes for patients by identifying risks and using strategies that optimise and conserve a patient’s own blood, as well as ensuring that any blood and blood products that patients receive are safe and appropriate.
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Recognising and responding to acute deterioration
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The Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard (external site) aims to ensure that a person's acute deterioration is recognised promptly and appropriate action is taken.
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More information
Patient Safety and Surveillance Unit
Email: pssu@health.wa.gov.au
Last reviewed: 08-04-2022
Produced by
Patient Safety Surveillance Unit