Quality Assurance and Clinical Audit: Information and Equipment Provision

Abstract

This article examines the use of a quality correction cycle and clinical audit to investigate the issues surrounding the provision of information with the supply of equipment to clients in their homes to promote independence and safety. An analysis was undertaken, adopting a model of quality with a grounded demonstration of clinical audit which informed the process of potential for change.

The findings demonstrated that a low level of information given at the time of issue of equipment resulted in poorly fitting equipment, with some safety issues around the continued use of the equipment. As a result of this audit, the benefit of a working party to examine and implement standards for the provision of information with equipment issue has been raised with management, with an intention to reaudit. It is acknowledged that clinical audit must be viewed as a positive tool in promoting clinical effectiveness, which must be driven multiprofessionally and from the client's perspective.