Medicine:Health Information and Quality Authority
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA, /ˈhɪkwæ/; Irish: An t-Údarás um Fhaisnéis agus Cáilíocht Sláinte ) is a statutory, government-funded agency in the Republic of Ireland which monitors the safety and quality of the healthcare and social care systems.[1] Mooted as early as 2001,[2] HIQA received its powers and mandate in May 2007 under the Health Act 2007. The Authority also exercises functions under the Child Care Act 1991 and the Children Act 2001.[3] HIQA does not operate in Northern Ireland, where the equivalent body is the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (the RQIA).[4]
Hospitals
The Authority has produced a number of reports and recommendations on the safety of care in both public and private hospitals.[5][6][1] HIQA is also tasked with inspecting hygiene standards in public hospitals.[7]
As well as performing hospital evaluations, HIQA is charged with implementing electronic health records[8] and information governance,[9] investigating waiting times,[10] and protecting whistleblowers.[11]
Nursing homes
After the Leas Cross scandal, there was increased demand for inspection of both private and public nursing homes. As a result, HIQA was given powers to register, inspect and, via application to court, close nursing homes and similar residential services delivering sub-standard care.[12][13]
Social care
HIQA has issued reports on foster care services, describing a lack of assessment of carers[14] and criticising the "significant failure" by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to monitor children in care.[15] In particular, HIQA raised concerns over the Dublin and North East areas.[16]
See also
- Department of Health (Ireland)
- Evidence-based medicine
- Health Service Executive
- Hospital accreditation
- Joint Commission
- List of international healthcare accreditation organizations
- Medical ethics
- Patient safety
- Patient safety organization
- URAC
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Calls for review of cancer treatment - Boston.com". http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2007/08/31/calls_for_review_of_cancer_treatment/.
- ↑ "Early death still 'a major health issue'". https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/early-death-still-a-major-health-issue-26252024.html.
- ↑ "Registration and Inspection of Nursing Homes". http://www.dohc.ie/issues/nursing_home_inspection/.
- ↑ The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority: About RQIA. https://www.rqia.org.uk/who-we-are/about-rqia
- ↑ Donnellan, Eithne. "Mallow hospital inquiry announced". The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/mallow-hospital-inquiry-announced-1.862280.
- ↑ Ennis 'not viable' as acute hospital. 9 April 2009. https://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0409/116151-ennis/. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ↑ "National Hygiene Services Quality Review 2007, Ireland". https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/88726.php.
- ↑ "eHealth records and prescribing pledge". Irishhealth.com. 2004-07-21. http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=6135.
- ↑ admin (21 May 2011). "Towards a digital future". https://www.imt.ie/features-opinion/towards-a-digital-future-21-05-2011/.
- ↑ Hospital waiting times 'excessive and unsafe'. 22 June 2011. https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0622/302695-health/. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ↑ "Better health in new year?". https://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/better-health-in-new-year-26351096.html.
- ↑ Nursing home bill to set up inspections body. 14 December 2006. https://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1214/83628-nursing/. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ↑ "Independent inspectors to spot check HSE care homes". The Independent. http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/independent-inspectors-to-spotcheck-hse-care-homes-1799123.html.
- ↑ "Who will bring up 3 siblings under the age of 5?". The Herald. http://www.herald.ie/national-news/wholl-bring-up-3-siblings-aged-under-5-2800703.html.
- ↑ "Foster parents still not fully vetted, says watchdog". https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/foster-parents-still-not-fully-vetted-says-watchdog-26741332.html.
- ↑ "Concerns raised over quality of foster care". 8 March 2010. https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/concerns-raised-over-quality-of-foster-care-449100.html.
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