Quality assurance focuses on meeting the required standards.
What is it
Quality assurance (QA) is the process of checking whether services meet established quality standards. It involves both internal and external checks to ensure that:
- services run effectively
- standards, guidelines, and policies for quality care are being met
Quality assurance is not just about reviewing the outcome – it is about ensuring that the right systems and processes are in place to prevent problems before they occur.
Why is it important
Assuring quality is important because it gives confidence to those using and delivering services, and regulators that care meets established standards. It involves regularly checking and verifying that services are safe, effective, and person-centred, helping to identify issues early and support continuous improvement.
Quality assurance builds confidence that things are being done correctly through planning, training, and monitoring.
What are the key activities
- developing internal processes to check the quality of care – this check would focus on consistency and reliability in service delivery
- identifying gaps between current performance, organisational vision, and the needs of those using the service
- establishing internal and external assessments to ensure standards are met for both the system and the public
Quality assurance during change
Quality assurance plays a critical role in ensuring robust application of the steps of change. It helps confirm that the change is being implemented effectively.
It ensures:
- appropriate methods and tools have been used
- a rigorous and structured process has been followed
- relevant stakeholders have been involved, including people who use and deliver services
This is distinct from the data collected during the change process, which focuses on measuring the impact of the change itself.
Practical support
Find tools and resources to support quality assurance.