about us | news |  meetings & events | clinical science | laboratory index |   

Introduction
 
clinical science > Audit

Clinical science - Audit


The ACB SW Audit Group is having a major re-start in Nov 2011 and will hold 3  meetings each year. Subjects are chosen by clinical biochemists in the SW region and the topics are surveyed and audited and guidelines produced by one or two lead people.  The committee reviews questionnaires, organises meetings and edits guidelines. The current challenge is assessing the clinical effectiveness of this initiative.

The Audit Process

Clinical audit is organised peer review of both the medical and scientific practice of pathology, comparing that practice with predetermined standards.  It is defined by the Department of Health as

 

"the systematic critical analysis of the quality of clinical care including procedures for diagnosis and treatment, the resources used and the resulting outcome and quality of life for the patient."

 

The aim of clinical audit is to achieve continuous improvement of all aspects of a clinical service.

 

Approach :

AUDIT IMAGE

 

Process of Guideline Production in Wales

The audit group was started in 1993, organising 2 meetings per year.  Subjects are chosen by clinical biochemists and the selected topics are surveyed throughout Wales, audited and best practice guidelines produced by one or two lead people.  A committee is now responsible for organising inter-hospital clinical audit activities for clinical biochemistry throughout Wales.  The committee reviews questionnaires, organises meetings and edits guidelines.  Where appropriate, guidelines are discussed with other interested groups (e.g. the Welsh Endocrine and Diabetes Society).

 

Summary of the Process of Guideline Production

  1.         Choose topic and person to lead process.

  2.         Survey of current practice by lead person.

  3.         Meeting to review topic, involving stakeholders.

  4.         Draft guideline prepared, recommending best practice.

  5.         Consultation with laboratory staff and clinical users.

  6.         Guideline finalised and published.

 

Regional Audits

For access to the presentations, please click on the appropriate title.

Current audits

  1. Lithium monitoring
  2. Progesterone requesting
  3. Reducing substances
  4. CA 125 requesting
  5. Faecal Occult Blood
  6. HS TnT

National Meeting minutes

Sept 11

Local Meeting Minutes

Nov 2011