Quality performance systems in aged care services

Abstract

AbstractPolicy and regulation of the aged care industry, and especially residential aged care services, is part of the expected accountability from services that accept financial subsidies to provide care for vulnerable people. While Australia's minimum management and care standards expected are clearly described in the Aged Care Act (1997) Commonwealth, and Quality Principles (as amended), for many managers the pursuit of quality outcomes is a goal that extends beyond mandated requirements. Data voluntarily submitted to a quality performance database by 14 per cent of Australia's aged care service providers provide evidence of management focus on improving performance and their commitment to excellence in residential aged care through industry benchmarking and internal analysis of performance on key indicators. In this way, and through the release of these data for independent analysis and publication, the sharing of good practice and increased awareness of industry trends in quality performance can be a...