Audit Definitions

Question 1

How do you plan an audit or QIP

Answer 1

Create a proposal (usually available from the audit department)

Identify the problem – in this case, prescription of VTE
Identify national guidelines e.g. NICE to create standards
Methods of data collection e.g. prescription in line with standards over 2-week period
How results will be disseminated (e.g. local audit meeting) and change implemented (e.g. prompts in electronic prescribing forms)
Proposed timelines for each stage of the process.

Involvement of key members of the MDT
Consultant to supervise the project and approve the proposal
Pharmacy team
Other colleagues to help with data collection

Register audit with Clinical Audit Department

Question 2

What is audit

Answer 2

A systematic review of a practice or process to establish how well it meets predetermined standards. The cyclical process involves identifying problems, developing solutions and making changes to practise, and then reviewing the whole service again to ensure standards are maintained”

Question 3

What is a standard

Answer 3

A standard is defined as an agreed level of care that must be adhered to.

For example, in my audit where I compared my unit’s local practice to a BSSH standard stating that hand fractures should be reviewed within 72 hours of injury.

Question 4

What is a guideline

Answer 4

Guidelines are statements designed to assist clinicians in decision-making (and may be interpreted according to individual patient needs). For example, NICE guidelines.

Question 5

Why is audit important

Answer 5

Clinical

: ensure a high standard of care is met.
: learned about national standards on
conditions for example hand fractures as well as the local epidemiology

Academic

: experience in dealing with large data sets and statistics, as well as presenting results at conferences.

Management:
:leading colleagues, meeting different members of the NHS MDT to bring about change.

Personal:
satisfaction in bringing about clinical change that should have a positive impact on patient care and experience in my department.

Question 6

What is the model for quality improvement

Answer 6

Plan
Do
Study
Act

Question 7

How do you set objectives for QIP

Answer 7

SMART objectives

Specific
Measurable
Accurate
Reproducible
Timely

Question 8

Describe the difference between quality improvement and research

Answer 8

QIP is Quality improvement (QI) is a process of approaching systemic problems in healthcare.

Requires either a self prescribed standard or a set target

QIP is process driven.
Research is hypothesis driven.

Question 9

What are the steps of systematic review

Answer 9

1. Formulate the review question
2. Define inclusion and exclusion criteria
3. Develop search strategy and locate studies
4. Select studies
5. Extract data
6. Assess study quality
7. Analyze and interpret results
8. Disseminate findings