Safety and Quality Framework for Health Care

The Australian Safety and Quality Framework for Health Care has been developemd by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and specifies three core principles : that care is consumer centred, driven by information, and organised for safety. The Framework provides 21 areas for action that all people in the health system can take to improve the safety and quality of care provided in all healthcare settings over the next decade. Endorsed by Health Ministers, it should

• be used as the basis of strategic and operational safety and quality plans
• provide a mechanism for refocusing current safety and quality improvement activities and designing goals for health service improvement
• be used as a guide for reviewing investments and research in safety and quality
• promote discussion with consumers, clinicians, managers, researchers and policy makers about how they might best form partnerships to improve safety and quality.