to achieve a sustainable, safe and important because it will inform how the outcomes in a number of patient care health system. health system is performing, and how areas. successful efforts are at ensuring safety Key functions of the Commission include and quality health care for patients. This in Vital Signs 2016 also includes three case developing national safety and quality turn assists the Commission and its studies that provide an in-depth analysis of standards, developing clinical care partners to determine priorities for the safety in the context of healthcare variation, standards to improve the implementation of future. clinical quality registries and reducing evidence-based health care, coordinating This report, Vital Signs 2016, is structured unnecessary radiation exposure to children work in specific areas to improve outcomes around three important questions members and young people. The case studies for patients, and providing information, of the public ask about their health care: illustrate the type of work that is needed to publications and resources about safety properly understand if we are improving Will my care be safe? and quality. the safety and quality of healthcare Will I get the right care? delivery. Will I be a partner in my care? The Commission works in four priority areas: Australia performs very well in international comparisons about healthcare outcomes. 1. patient safety The Australian population has high life 2. partnering with patients, consumers and expectancy, a relatively low rate of communities avoidable death and good survival rates from major cancer types and cardiovascular 3. quality, cost and value disease. However, measuring the safety and quality of care can be challenging. 4. supporting health professionals to While there is information about surgery, provide care that is informed, supported emergency department attendances and and organised to deliver safe and visits to general practitioners, there is less health care. complete information about safety and quality. Vital Signs 2016 brings together One of the key functions is to Commission’s information from a range of sources to report on the state of safety and quality in provide a snapshot of safety and quality the Australian health system. This is
to achieve a sustainable, safe and health system. Key functions of the Commission include developing national safety and quality standards, developing clinical care standards to improve the implementation of evidence-based health care, coordinating work in specific areas to improve outcomes for patients, and providing information, publications and resources about safety and quality. The Commission works in four priority areas: 1. patient safety 2. partnering with patients, consumers and communities 3. quality, cost and value 4. supporting health professionals to provide care that is informed, supported and organised to deliver safe and health care. One of the Commission’s key functions is to report on the state of safety and quality in the Australian health system. This is important because it will inform how the health system is performing, and how successful efforts are at ensuring safety and quality health care for patients. This in turn assists the Commission and its partners to determine priorities for the future. This report, Vital Signs 2016, is structured around three important questions members of the public ask about their health care: Will my care be safe? Will I get the right care? Will I be a partner in my care? Australia performs very well in international comparisons about healthcare outcomes. The Australian population has high life expectancy, a relatively low rate of avoidable death and good survival rates from major cancer types and cardiovascular disease. However, measuring the safety and quality of care can be challenging. While there is information about surgery, emergency department attendances and visits to general practitioners, there is less complete information about safety and quality. Vital Signs 2016 brings together information from a range of sources to provide a snapshot of safety and quality outcomes in a number of patient care areas. Vital Signs 2016 also includes three case studies that provide an in-depth analysis of safety in the context of healthcare variation, clinical quality registries and reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to children and young people. The case studies illustrate the type of work that is needed to properly understand if we are improving the safety and quality of healthcare delivery.
Vital-Signs-2016-WORD.docx