RACGP Standards for General Practices

1 For General practices5th editionSTANDARDSA ccreditationStandards for General Practices , 5th edition DisclaimerThe information set out in this publication is current at the date of first publication and is intended for use as a guide of a General nature only and may or may not be relevant to particular patients or circumstances. Nor is this publication exhaustive of the subject matter. Persons implementing any recommendations contained in this publication must exercise their own independent skill or judgement or seek appropriate professional advice relevant to their own particular circumstances when so doing.

2 Compliance with any recommendations cannot of itself guarantee discharge of the duty of care owed to patients and others coming into contact with the health professional and the premises from which the health professional operates. Accordingly, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Ltd ( RACGP ) and its employees and agents shall have no liability (including without limitation liability by reason of negligence) to any users of the information contained in this publication for any loss or damage (consequential or otherwise)

3 , cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information contained in this publication and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the citationThe Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Standards for General Practices . 5th edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP , Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Ltd 100 Wellington Parade East Melbourne, Victoria 3002 Tel 03 8699 0414 Fax 03 8699 0400 : 978-0-86906-470-2 (web) ISBN: 978-0-86906-473-3 (print)Published July 2017 The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2017 This resource is provided under licence by the RACGP , the terms of which are available at By using this resource you agree to its supply on these terms.

4 In summary, you may use this resource for a broad range of purposes providing you acknowledge the RACGP . However, the licence does not extend to any distribution or commercial use unless otherwise agreed. For further information or to discuss a commercial licence, please contact us on 1800 472 acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and seas on which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders, past, present and for General practices5th editioniiiRACGP Standards for General Practices , 5th editionContentsIntroduction to the Standards for General Practices (5th edition)

5 1 Development of this edition 1 Changes from the previous edition 1 Revised structure 1 Numbering of Criteria and Indicators 2 Indicators that focus on outcomes and patients 3 Fewer Indicators 3 Restructured explanatory notes 3 Use of could and must 3 Plain English 3 Reduced citation of federal, state or territory legislation 4 Evidence-based Standards 4 Accreditation 4 Practices that can be accredited 4 Voluntary accreditation 4 The accreditation cycle 4 The assessment process 5 Requirements for accreditation agencies and surveyors 6 Mandatory and aspirational Indicators 7 Demonstrating compliance 7 The Resource guide 7 Core module 9 Core Standard 1.

6 Communication and patient participation 10 Criterion Information about your practice 11 Criterion Telephone and electronic communications 13 Criterion Informed patient decisions 16 Criterion Interpreter and other communication services 19 Criterion Costs associated with care initiated by the practice 22 Core Standard 2: Rights and needs of patients 24 Criterion Respectful and culturally appropriate care 25 Criterion Presence of a third party during a consultation 30 Criterion Accessibility of services 32ivRACGP Standards for General Practices , 5th editionCore Standard 3.

7 Practice governance and management 34 Criterion Business operation systems 35 Criterion Accountability and responsibility 39 Criterion Emergency response plan 43 Criterion Practice communication and teamwork 45 Criterion Work health and safety 48 Criterion Research 51 Core Standard 4: Health promotion and preventive activities 54 Criterion Health promotion and preventive care 55 Core Standard 5: Clinical management of health issues 57 Criterion Diagnosis and management of health issues 58 Criterion Clinical autonomy for practitioners 60 Criterion Clinical handover 61 Core Standard 6: Information management 63 Criterion Patient identification 64 Criterion Patient health record systems 66 Criterion Confidentiality and privacy of health and other information 68 Criterion Information security 72 Core Standard 7.

8 Content of patient health records 77 Criterion Content of patient health records 78 Core Standard 8: Education and training of non-clinical staff 83 Criterion Education and training of non-clinical staff 84 References 86 quality improvement module 87QI Standard 1: quality improvement 88 Criterion quality improvement activities 89 Criterion Patient feedback 92 Criterion Improving clinical care 95QI Standard 2: Clinical indicators 98 Criterion Health summaries 99 Criterion Safe and quality use of medicines 101vRACGP Standards for General Practices , 5th editionQI Standard 3.

9 Clinical risk management 104 Criterion Managing clinical risks 105 Criterion Open disclosure 107 References 109 General Practice module 111GP Standard 1: Access to care 112 Criterion Responsive system for patient care 113 Criterion Home and other visits 117 Criterion Care outside of normal opening hours 119GP Standard 2: Comprehensive care 122 Criterion Continuous and comprehensive care 123 Criterion Follow-up systems 126 Criterion Engaging with other services 132 Criterion Transfer of care and the patient practitioner relationship 135GP Standard 3: Qualifications of our clinical team 137 Criterion Qualifications, education and training of healthcare practitioners 138GP Standard 4.

10 Reducing the risk of infection 142 Criterion Infection prevention and control, including sterilisation 143GP Standard 5: The medical practice 150 Criterion Practice facilities 151 Criterion Practice equipment 154 Criterion Doctor s bag 158GP Standard 6: Vaccine potency 161 Criterion Maintaining vaccine potency 162 References 166 Glossary 1671 RACGP Standards for General Practices , 5th editionIntroduction to the Standards for General Practices (5th edition)The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners ( RACGP )