Standards-based audit
A cycle which involves defining standards, collecting data to measure current practice against those standards, and implementing any changes deemed necessary.
Pt. surveys and focus groups
These are methods used to obtain users’ views about the quality of care they have received. Surveys carried out for their own sake are often meaningless, but when they are undertaken to collect data they can be extremely productive.
Peer review
An assessment of the quality of care provided by a clinical team with a view to improving clinical care. Individual cases are discussed by peers to determine whether the best care was given. Unfortunately, some of the recommendations made from these reviews are not pursued as there is no clear systematic method to follow
Adverse occurrence screening
This is often used to peer review cases which have caused concern or from which there was an unexpected outcome. The multidisciplinary team discusses individual anonymous cases to reflect upon the way the team functioned and to learn for the future. In primary care setting, this is described as a ‘significant event audit’.
Dr. Khalid Abulmajd
Healthcare Quality Consultant