Accreditation and the quality journey in aged care

Abstract

Background: This paper reflects on the early and successful implementation of an accreditation system for residential care for elderly people in Hong Kong in terms of the Australian aged care accreditation experience. Methods: Reflection and critical analysis focusing on content analysis of Hong Kong and Australian reports relevant to aged care accreditation and the author's experience of the Australian aged and health care accreditation systems. Results: The Australian experience suggests that an accreditation system leads to improved quality of care but does not maintain or improve quality on its own, nor does it prevent the occurrence of adverse events. It is most effective at developing a culture of staff and resident empowerment, continuous improvement, best practice, ongoing learning and innovative research. The relationship between accreditation and regulation of the industry sector, how standards are developed, assessors selected and trained are important considerations in its successful operation.. Conclusions: Governments need to ensure efficient use of available resources while assuring the quality of services while industry needs to participate to ensure its relevance and competitiveness. Health care professionals, government, and industry stakeholders sometimes have competing interests but their first priority should be those to whom they provide care. Engaging elderly people, carers, and staff in values based advocacy of independence, autonomy and quality care is needed to balance these competing interests. Valuing the contribution of elderly people together with a greater emphasis on researching the effectiveness of care should be the measure of success of the journey to quality that commences with the accreditation process.