Establishing a New National and International Benchmark – A Unique Application of the ACHS EQuIP Quality Improvement Framework to Australia’s National and International Deployable Health Emergency Capability

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

The NCCTRC is the custodian of the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) capability. AUSMAT achieved World Health Organization (WHO) verification as a Type 2 Emergency Medical Team (EMT) in 2016.

The NCCTRC explored a quality framework to support quality improvement beyond WHO minimum standards. The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) accreditation standards were applied to a unique field capability setting.

Objectives:

Establish a quality improvement framework for AUSMAT deployable capability to ensure delivery of the highest standard of care to populations affected by disasters and health emergencies.

Method/Description:

ACHS surveyors conducted a scoping assessment in 2017. The ACHS EQuIP Framework provided flexibility to accommodate the complexity of a deployable health facility, the fixed and virtual workforce, and the application of disaster response/humanitarian principles.

Self-assessment identified gaps, which were remedied by the development of multiple tools, and an on-going program of improvement in formal documentation of process.

Results/Outcomes:

NCCTRC achieved ACHS EQuIP accreditation in June 2019. NCCTRC was awarded the ACHS Global Quality Improvement Award in November 2019. Survey in May 2021 demonstrated continued achievement.

Conclusion:

The application of a national accreditation framework to an EMT is unique. The NCCTRC applied a quality improvement framework to provide a standard of care that meets national health facility accreditation criteria, setting a new standard of clinical quality in the field.