RACGP Standards for general practices 4th edition
RACGP Standards for general practices (4th edition): A template for quality care and risk management in contemporary Australian general practices
The RACGP Standards for general practices (4th edition) (the Standards) provide a template for quality care and risk management in Australian general practice.
The Standards are designed to keep Australian general practice at the forefront of safe, high quality primary healthcare delivery in Australia. The Standards have evolved with the changing landscape of Australian healthcare and reflect contemporary practice.
The Standards provide a framework for the continuing development of well performing practice teams to enable them to focus on quality care and risk management.
Copyright Notice
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preamble
PRACTICE SERVICES
Standard 1.1 ACCESS TO CARE
Our practice provides timely care and advice.
Criterion 1.1.1 Scheduling care in opening hours
Criterion 1.1.2 Telephone and electronic communications
Criterion 1.1.3 Home and other visits
Criterion 1.1.4 Care outside normal opening hours
Standard 1.2 INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRACTICE
Our practice provides sufficient information to enable our patients to make informed decisions regarding their care.
Criterion 1.2.1 Practice information
Criterion 1.2.2 Informed patient decisions
Criterion 1.2.3 Interpreter and other communication services
Criterion 1.2.4 Costs associated with care initiated by the practice
Standard 1.3 HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE
Our practice provides health promotion and illness prevention services that are based on patient need and best available evidence.
Criterion 1.3.1 Health promotion and preventive care
Standard 1.4 DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH PROBLEMS
In consultation with the patient, our practice provides care that is relevant and in broad agreement with best available evidence.
Criterion 1.4.1 Consistent evidence based practice
Criterion 1.4.2 Clinical autonomy for general practitioners
Standard 1.5 CONTINUITY OF CARE
Our practice provides continuity of care for its patients.
Criterion 1.5.1 Continuity of comprehensive care and the therapeutic relationship
Criterion 1.5.2 Clinical handover
Criterion 1.5.3 System for follow up of tests and results
Standard 1.6 COORDINATION OF CARE
Our practice engages with a range of relevant health and community services to improve patient care.
Criterion 1.6.1 Engaging with other services
Criterion 1.6.2 Referral documents
Standard 1.7 CONTENT OF PATIENT HEALTH RECORDS
Our patient health records contain sufficient information to identify the patient and to document reason(s) for visit, relevant examination, assessment, management, progress and outcomes.
Criterion 1.7.1 Patient health records
Criterion 1.7.2 Health summaries
Criterion 1.7.3 Consultation notes
RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF PATIENTS
Standard 2.1 COLLABORATING WITH PATIENTS
Our practice respects the rights and needs of patients.
Criterion 2.1.1 Respectful and culturally appropriate care
Criterion 2.1.2 Patient feedback
Criterion 2.1.3 Presence of a third party
SAFETY, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND EDUCATION
Standard 3.1 SAFETY AND QUALITY
Our practice is committed to quality improvement.
Criterion 3.1.1 Quality improvement activities
Criterion 3.1.2 Clinical risk management system
Criterion 3.1.3 Clinical governance
Criterion 3.1.4 Patient identification
Standard 3.2 EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Our practice supports and encourages quality improvement and risk management through education and training.
Criterion 3.2.1 Qualifications of general practitioners
Criterion 3.2.2 Qualifications of clinical staff other than medical practitioners
Criterion 3.2.3 Training of administrative staff
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Standard 4.1 PRACTICE SYSTEMS
Our practice demonstrates effective human resource management.
Criterion 4.1.1 Human resource system
Criterion 4.1.2 Occupational health and safety
Standard 4.2 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH INFORMATION
Our practice has an effective system for managing patient information.
Criterion 4.2.1 Confidentiality and privacy of health information
Criterion 4.2.2 Information security
PHYSICAL FACTORS
Standard 5.1 FACILITIES AND ACCESS
Our practice provides a safe and effective environment for our practice team and patients.
Criterion 5.1.1 Practice facilities
Criterion 5.1.2 Physical conditions conducive to confidentiality and privacy
Criterion 5.1.3 Physical access
Standard 5.2 EQUIPMENT FOR COMPREHENSIVE CARE
Our practice provides medical equipment and resources that are well maintained and appropriate for comprehensive patient care and resuscitation.
Criterion 5.2.1 Practice equipment
Criterion 5.2.2 Doctor’s bag
Standard 5.3 CLINICAL SUPPORT PROCESSES
Our practice has working processes that support safety and the quality of clinical care.
Criterion 5.3.1 Safe and quality use of medicines
Criterion 5.3.2 Vaccine potency
Criterion 5.3.3 Healthcare associated infections
Appendix A Applicability of the RACGP Standards for general practices
Appendix B Clinical governance
Appendix C General practice surveyors
Glossary of terms
References