Clinical governance

Question 1

What is clinical governance (4)

Answer 1

1. It is a requirement to adhere to an acceptable system of clinical governance.
2. NHS clinical governance is a framework for improving and maintaining the quality of patient care in the NHS.
3. All NHS organisations should work to continually improve their services and standards of care for patients.
4. In England and Wales clinical governance in an essential service outlined in the pharmacy contract.

Question 2

What is the clinical governance framework (8)

Answer 2

1. Pharmacies should have a clinical governance lead
2. Audit
3. Record keeping and information governance
4. Patient and public involvement
5. Risk management
6. Staffing and staff management
7. Premises standards
8. Information governance is a framework for handling data and information in a secure and confidential manner and there are standards to be applied when processing information.

Question 3

What is an audit (3)

Answer 3

1. the process of reviewing performance against set standards
2. and then making any changes to improve the care of patients.
3. Sometimes a clinical audit is included as part of the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (England)

Question 4

What is record keeping and information governance (4)

Answer 4

1. pharmacies need to keep records such as risk assessment, dispensing errors, training records, SOPs, patient group directions (PGDs) and RP logs.
2. There should also be appropriate records of patient interventions and consultations, and PMRs should be accurate.
3. Any records also need to be UKGDPR compliant and meet information governance requirements.
4. Pharmacy staff need to be able to access up-to-date reference sources and everyone must comply with laws relating to confidentiality and the NHS Code of Practice on confidentiality

Question 5

What is patient and public involvement (2)

Answer 5

1. including guidance on the content of practice leaflets
2. displaying opening signs and recommend patient satisfaction surveys

Question 6

What is risk management (3)

Answer 6

1. processes for handling stock
2. processes for dealing with safeguarding issues
3. processes for management of waste disposal

Question 7

What is staffing and staff management

Answer 7

there is guidance on staff training and continuing professional development.

Question 8

What is premises standards

Answer 8

including consultation area and standards for cleanliness

Question 9

What are the clinical governance requirements (8)

Answer 9

1. Pharmacy staff need access to up-to-date reference sources, like the BNF, C&D price list, Drug Tariff and other electronic sources of information.
2. All staff must comply with the laws relating to confidentiality and GDPR.
3. In addition, all staff must also comply with the NHS Code of Practice on Confidentiality.
4. Compliance with information governance, ensures all healthcare businesses have systems in place for their staff to follow.
5. This protects patients’ personal information and determines when it is appropriate to use this confidential data.
6. Patient medication records (PMRs) must be maintained and used to improve patient care. Apart from medicines supplied, they should be used to record other information, such as advice given to the patient.
7. The pharmacy should clearly display their opening times and these should be able to be seen from outside the shop when it is closed.
8. The public should have access to information on how to obtain medicines urgently; so they need to know where else they can get medicines from if your pharmacy is closed. You need to have this information displayed.