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Unannounced re-accreditation audits for aged care homes designed to ensure quality compliance


Morgan Liotta


3/07/2018 3:26:12 PM

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has replaced announced re-accreditation audits of residential aged care facilities with unannounced audits in a bid to ensure high-quality and safe standards for the care of older people.

Minister Wyatt believes the implementation of unannounced re-accreditation audits in RACFs will help to reassure residents and their families of their safety and wellbeing. (Image: Mick Tsikas)
Minister Wyatt believes the implementation of unannounced re-accreditation audits in RACFs will help to reassure residents and their families of their safety and wellbeing. (Image: Mick Tsikas)

From 1 July, all residential aged care facilities (RACFs) applying for re-accreditation or with an accreditation expiry date on, or after, 1 January 2019 will fall under new arrangements by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) to conduct unannounced audits.
 
This means Australia’s almost 2700 RACFs will no longer receive notification of their re-accreditation audit.
 
Federal Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt has heralded the change as a ‘new era for aged care quality compliance’. He believes the move is a ‘quantum shift’ that will have significant impact on older people’s care, and help to instil more confidence in families knowing their relatives are receiving high-quality and necessary care in RACFs.
 
‘This is about certainty and confidence for older Australians and families whose loved ones are receiving care,’ Minister Wyatt said.
 
‘Statistics show that, overwhelmingly, Australia’s aged care homes provide outstanding services, but our focus must be on maintaining high standards across the board and at all times.’
 
The AACQA confirmed that almost 3000 unannounced assessments have been conducted across RACFs since July 2017, targeting specific quality standard requirements. The new scheme builds on results from those visits, with nine RACFs losing their accreditation.
 
To maintain accreditation and approval to receive government funding, RACFs must comply with four standards comprising 44 required outcomes. These include sufficient provision of qualified staff, clinical care, nutrition, hygiene, dignity, privacy and residents’ security.
 
RACF residents are also encouraged to provide feedback during the re-accreditation audits.
 
‘There will be no compromise,’ Minister Wyatt said. ‘Audit teams will arrive at any time, to monitor and ensure the provision of safe, quality care 365 days of the year.’



accreditation aged care audit Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Minister for Aged care residential aged care facilities


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