Defining Standards and External Agencies
The definition of standards has been given by Lighter (2011, p. 88) as the level of quality attainment of a given product or service. In this case, it refers to the quality of service offered by the Royal United Hospital Bath in reference to the specifications given by the relevant agencies. Lighter and Fair (2004, p. 74) define the external agencies as parties, which in most cases are government regulatory bodies, that closely interact with a given organization with the aim of influencing the performance. These bodies only act as regulators or advisors, but they do not have direct control over the operational issues of these firms. The external agencies always try to ensure that the organizations under their jurisdictions operate as per the set standards. They are also responsible for reviewing these regulations from time to time in order to make the necessary adjustments to meet the changing public needs.
External agencies in HSC
It is clear, from the case presented, that there are four major external agencies that are responsible for the setting of quality standards. The four external agencies include Care Quality Commission, National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence, Monitor, and Social Care Institute for Excellence.
Most Important Agencies in Setting Quality Standards in RUH/HSC
The following are the three agencies that are very important when it comes to the setting of quality standards at Royal United Health in HSC:
- Care Quality Commission
- National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence
- Monitor
Reasons for choosing the three agencies and how they interrelate
In choosing the relevant agencies that are important in setting the quality standards at RUH, it was important to identify the agencies whose work closely relate, but do not overlap. The researcher eliminated agencies whose responsibilities overlap or in one way or the other conflict. According to Charantimath (2006, p. 13), no single external agency can achieve success in enhancing the quality standards in the healthcare sector without the support of other agencies. Various agencies responsible for different tasks must come together and find a common approach that can be used in championing universal quality healthcare in these healthcare institutions (McLaughlin, Johnson & Sollecito 2012, p. 37). The three firms mentioned above can work harmoniously in setting the standards in various areas, from the types of drugs used, the surgery procedures, and emergency services, to the outpatient care, maternal services, and other specialized medical care services. When they work as a team, then the outcome of their services can be better than what has been experienced in the recent past.
Role and responsibilities of the chosen agencies
Quality Care Commission’s main role is to ensure that all the public and private care institutions in England offer safe, efficient, and quality care services in this country (Managing Quality Health and Social Care 2014, par. 7). Its responsibility is to register all the health care institutions in England, inspect the performance of these institutions, and take the appropriate actions whenever this is necessary. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence has the main role of giving advice on the treatment that should be available in Wales and England. It is involved in conducting wide research. The monitor’s main role is to protect the patients’ interests by ensuring that quality services are delivered to them.
Importance of Setting Quality Standards
The external agencies in RUH/HSC play an important role in the health sector by setting the standards because this helps in ensuring that the healthcare providers operate within the expectations of the members of the society (Arias 2000, P. 57). They ensure that the patients get the best services when they visit these facilities.
References
Arias, K 2000, Quick reference to outbreak investigation and control in health care facilities, Aspen Publishers, Gaithersburg.
Charantimath, P 2006, Total quality management, Pearson Education, New Delhi.
Lighter, D & Fair, D 2004, Quality management in health care: Principles and methods, Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury.
Lighter, D 2011, Advanced performance improvement in health care: Principles and methods, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury.
Managing Quality Health and Social Care 2014, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust: CQC Quality Report, Inspection Visit 5-6 of 14 December 2013.
McLaughlin, C, Johnson, J &Sollecito, W 2012, Implementing continuous quality improvement in health care: A global casebook Sudbury, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury.