Audit in Occupational Health: 1

Introduction to Audit in Occupational Health Practice

Audit has been defined as "the systematic critical analysis of the quality of medical care. This may include, for example, the procedures used for diagnosis and treatment, the use of resources and the resulting outcome and quality of life for the patient." (Secretaries of State for Health etc., "Medical Audit:Working Paper 6" 1989).
 

Audit involves a process of repeating cycles which should result in a progressive improvement and eventually sustained assurance of quality in particular areas while identifying needs and methods of audit in new areas. This concept has been termed the "audit cycle":-

Whatever topic is being audited or method used, one hopes that the pattern described above follows naturally. However, at what point does one start the cycle? (chicken or egg?). This varies: if one has a valid standard of practice which enjoys consensus support and a scientific basis, and relates to a common and important topic, then one can start by comparing observed practice with the standard. If, on the other hand, one is not sure of what topics merit audit or what standard to follow, one should start by observing practice, choosing a topic and starting the debate and search for information that leads to setting the standard. The standard is not immutable and may change with subsequent audit cycles. Therefore for practical purposes the cycle is rarely as simple as that portrayed above.
 
 

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Raymond Agius © Copyright 1995-2007

NOW.... Consider the various reasons why audit is relevant to the practice of occupational health and medicine. Can you think of a couple? Make a brief note of them and only then proceed to the next page.