How you can make data quality a success

Ensuring data quality is the responsibility of all health and social care staff – not just the clinical staff, data quality manager, the records management team or the IT department, writes Professor Jane Grimson, Director of Health Information and Deputy Chief Executive of HIQA. The Health Information and Quality Authority has published What you should know about Data Quality, a useful guide for front-line health and social care staff aimed at... Read More

HIQA to make unannounced inspections

HIQA is now commencing Phase 1 of its programme of monitoring assessments of acute hospitals’ compliance with the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection and  initially this will focus on announced and unannounced assessment of acute hospitals’ compliance with the Standards writes Phelim Quinn, HIQA Director of Regulation. The Health Information and Quality Authority has embarked on a series of monitoring... Read More

The chance of being harmed in healthcare

Global statistics show that those who access healthcare have a one in 300 chance of being harmed, Dr. Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive, HIQA and acting Chief Inspector of Social Services told the HMI Conference, Maureen Browne reports. She said that ten per cent of hospital patients suffered an adverse event each year (UK, New Zealand, Canada and Europe), 1.4 million hospital patients worldwide acquired healthcare associated infections, 100,000 cases... Read More

Hospital boards should not be managed by “shadows”

Many of the recommendations of the HIQA Report on Tallaght (AMNCH) Hospital represent good corporate governance, but there are some recommendations which are potentially dangerous if applied generally, and are possibly an over-reaction to the Tallaght hospital situation,  writes Mr. Henry Murdoch. The recent HIQA Report on the Tallaght (AMNCH) Hospital, dealt in some detail with the issue of corporate governance at that hospital. However, its recommendations... Read More

New standards for safer better healthcare

Healthcare managers will have a central role to play in successfully implementing the new HIQA National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, writes Dr. Deirdre Mullholland. Following the recent launch of the National Standards by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), attended by over 200 health service managers, staff, and patient representatives, HIQA plans to meet with and talk to healthcare providers on how to meet the new requirements. Dr.... Read More

HIQA report seen as patient safety charter

There has been a general welcome by senior health managers of the HIQA report into Tallaght Hospital, its highlighting of current patient safety  issues nationally and its broader recommendations regarding patient safety and good governance in all hospitals.  Maureen Browne reports. Senior health managers have welcomed the recommendations of the HIQA Report on Tallaght Hospital as a long overdue charter of patient safety and good governance, which... Read More

Preparing senior managers for HIQA regulations

At recent HMI Regional Meetings in Leitrim and Limerick, Finbarr Colfer discussed the experience of regulation to date and potential learning for health and social care service managers of sectors that are due to be regulated in the future. At recent Health Management Institute of Ireland Regional Meetings in Leitrim and Limerick, a representative of the Health Information and Quality Authority (the Authority) discussed the experience of regulation... Read More

Financial impact of new technology

Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) guidelines will provide health service managers who have to make hard decisions with the best possible information on the best use of healthcare resources, writes Dr. Mάirίn  Ryan. Ireland is not unique in trying to efficiently manage the spiralling cost of advances in healthcare technologies such as drugs, devices, medical and surgical procedures, screening programmes etc.. However, given Ireland’s economic crisis,... Read More

HIQA will not adopt “a policeman” approach

HIQA would not be adopting “a policeman” approach to monitoring compliance with the new National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, the HMI Forum debate was told.  Maureen Browne reports. HIQA would not be adopting “a policeman” approach to monitoring compliance with the new National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, Ms Hilary Coates, Head of Safety and Learning with HIQA said when answering questions at  the HMO Forum debate in... Read More

Healthcare licensing is coming in 2012

Licensing of healthcare facilities on the basis of the new National  Standards for Safer and Better Healthcare is due to be introduced in 2012, with HIQA as the  licensing authority, Ms Hilary Coates told the HMI Forum. Licensing of Irish healthcare facilities on the basis of the new National  Standards for Safer and Better Healthcare is due to be introduced in 2012, with HIQA as the licensing authority, Ms Hilary Coates , Head of Operations, Safety... Read More