About accreditation

Accreditation is a set of formal standards that hold a profession accountable. In the health care setting, it is based on standards devised by health care professionals for health care services. It is an established process by which many industries benchmark their performance. It also guarantees a minimum standard of safety and care – particularly relevant in the health care industry.

Health care accreditation is defined as, 'A formal process to ensure delivery of safe, high quality health care, based on standards and processes devised and developed by health care professionals for health care services' (Australian Comission on Safety and Quality in Health Care). Public recognition of achievement by a health care organisation of requirements of national health care standards (ISQUA) Practically, accreditation is a certification process which acknowledges that an organisation has met a set of standards which define a minimum standard of quality for that organisation. Quality is relevant to many organisations from business to aviation. However it is especially important in the field of health care, to ensure patients receive appropriate care.

Improving safety and quality in health care in Australia is a key issue. QIP/AGPAL is driven by its peer member base and also engages with key stakeholders such as the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.