PART 5: Continuous quality improvement activities | Insights into the RACGP Standards 6th edition

Building Better Practices: Insights into the RACGP Standards 6th edition
PART 5: Continuous quality improvement activities

Following the release of the draft the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for general practices 6th edition, industry consultation period and the commencement of the pilot program, our team is excited to provide you with a five-part content series exploring key themes within the proposed new edition of the RACGP Standards titled ‘Building Better Practices: Insights into the RACGP Standards 6th edition’.

Through this series, we aim to provide you with a greater understanding of some of the essential elements shaping the RACGP Standards 6th edition.

PART 1 looked into the Quintuple Aim of healthcare improvement and its role in Australian general practice, with our second instalment, PART 2, unpacking Standard 1 of the RACGP Standards 6th edition – ‘Foundations of general practice’. PART 3 explored Standard 2 of the draft RACGP Standards 6th edition which revolves around ‘Clinical Governance’ and in PART 4 we delved into Standard 3 ‘Patient Participation’ and its vital role to deepening practice’s commitment to patient care. 

In our final instalment of AGPAL’s ‘Building Better Practices: Insights into the RACGP Standards 6th edition’ content-series, this Part 5 feature provides details of Standard 4 ‘Continuous Quality Improvement Activities’ as part of the draft RACGP Standards 6th edition.

 

DISCLAIMER
The information contained within this content-series is general in nature and has not been provided or reviewed by the RACGP. The RACGP Standards 6th edition are still in draft format and will be undergoing further review and updates as part of the pilot program and consultation period. The details of the 6th edition are subject to change and therefore this information has been collated based on the information provided to us at the time of publishing. Information regarding each proposed new Standard also discusses general themes associated with each particular topic.

 

Continuous quality improvement activities in general practice

The draft of the RACGP Standards 6th edition provides a comprehensive framework for continuous quality improvement (CQI) in general practices. Quality improvement activities flow throughout the entire Standards however Standard 4 places specific focus on essential QI requirements. The RACGP Standards 6th edition have been designed to promote patient-centre care, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability, as well as to encourage practices to evaluate, monitor, and enhance their systems and services consistently.

Within general practice, CQI refers to a systematic approach that empowers practice teams to achieve better outcomes for patient safety and care through ongoing cycles of change. By analysing the information and data your practice has available and implementing iterative improvements, you can enhance your practice’s processes, systems and clinical care, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.

While the concept of CQI may seem immense at first, it’s fundamental to all daily operations. Quality improvements can be made over time and range from multi-layered projects to simple tweaks here and there. By integrating feedback, data analysis, and evidence-based strategies, CQI enables your practice to address gaps in your systems and make informed improvements. As the RACGP Standards highlight, ‘CQI results in service improvements through continuous cycles of change led by your practice team.’

In this article, we’ll explore the requirements of Standard 4 ‘Continuous quality improvement activities’ as it’s currently proposed in the 6th edition Standards. We’ll unpack all its components and focus on the practical applications to support accreditation requirements.

CQI plays an integral part in bettering general practice in Australia. The RACGP Standards support you in regularly evaluating your practice systems, monitoring and reporting on your performance while engaging team members to foster a culture of improvement.

 

Understanding Standard 4: Continuous quality improvement activities

In the current draft of the RACGP Standards 6th edition, Standard 4: Continuous Quality Improvement there is a great emphasis on continual monitoring of your practice’s provided services and care in order to make improvements that will positively benefit your patients, staff and the wider community. A change from the 5th to 6th edition is in regards to the new inclusion of a QI criterion focused on monitoring and managing environmental performance and impacts of each practice to assess your overall environmental footprint. This includes items such as monitoring materials and products you practice utilises on a day-to-day basis, generation and disposal of clinical waste, as well as energy consumption and indoor air quality.

Within Standard 4: Continuous quality improvement activities of the 6th edition, one Criterion applies.

Criterion QI.1 currently covers three different aspects of continuous quality improvement:

Indicator CQI.1 > A. requires your practice team to undertake continuous quality improvement activities.

This indicator requires your practice to:

• Train designated team members: ensure that designated individuals responsible for quality improvement are adequately trained and have a deep understanding of their roles.
• Implement a systematic approach: develop a system to help identify, execute, and document quality improvement activities.
• Conduct annual clinical improvements: demonstrate at least one clinical improvement activity every 12 months.
• Thoroughly record your team’s feedback: maintain records of feedback from your team.
• Document outcomes: clearly document all quality improvement initiatives and data made in response to your feedback.

Quick tips

• Appoint at least one team member to lead CQI at your practice with defined responsibilities in their position description.
• Use team meetings to brainstorm and prioritise quality improvement initiatives.
• Leverage patient and team feedback to identify potential areas of improvement.
• Provide regular training to equip staff with the skills and knowledge needed for quality improvement.
• Set quarterly checkpoints to review your quality improvement initiatives and monitor how they are progressing.

Indicator CQI.1 > B. requires your practice to regularly monitor and report on environmental performance to track progress toward sustainability goals and compliance with your documented strategies.

This is a new indicator developed for the 6th edition of the standards which emphasises sustainability and asks practices to:

• Track environmental performance: establish measurable goals and assess progress towards sustainability.

Quick tips

• Get your practice to install energy meters to track and monitor your electricity usage.
• Engage your team in sustainability initiatives through training and goal setting.
• Plan and transition to energy-efficient appliances such as lighting.

Indicator CQI.1> C. requires practices to measures their environmental-impact metrics to assess and manage your overall environmental footprint.

The final Indicator of this CQI Standard is also newly added to the draft of the RACGP Standards 6th edition.

To support your team in demonstrating compliance with this Indicator and in order to measure and manage your environmental footprint, your practice will need to:

• Track metrics: monitor key indicators such as energy consumption, waste production, and use of renewable resources.
• Developing strategies: implement and document policies to minimise and mitigate your practice’s environmental impact.

Quick tips

• Partner with suppliers that offer sustainable products.
• Conduct a waste management audit to identify any opportunities for recycling and reduction.
• Communicate sustainability efforts to staff and patients to build awareness and support.

 

Final thoughts

Standard 4: Continuous quality improvement activities in the first iteration draft of the RACGP Standards 6th edition are a cornerstone for enhancing general practice quality. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, practices can enhance patient care and safety, streamline operations, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Committing to CQI positions practices as leaders in delivering high-quality patient-centred care.

Recognising new requirements for practices to actively take steps to contribute to sustainability, it’s important to note that healthcare for continuous quality improvement is more than just decreasing the impact of the environment, it’s about creating a healthier, more efficient, and future-ready practice. By regularly tracking environmental performance and measuring impact metrics, practices can identify opportunities for cost savings, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing their reputation within the community. Small, strategic changes can lead to significant long-term benefits, from reducing waste and energy costs to fostering a workplace culture that values innovation and responsibility. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also good for business, staff well-being, and patient care.

As the RACGP draft highlights ‘Continuous Quality Improvement results in service improvements through continuous cycles of change led by your practice team.’ By adopting these principles, your practice can ensure a sustainable and impactful future for your patients, staff, and local community.

 

Transition information

The RACGP has stipulated that practices can choose to be accredited under either the 5th or 6th edition Standards for the first 12 months following the publication of the 6th edition – which is currently planned for early 2026. After this transition period, all practices seeking accreditation must meet the requirements of the 6th edition Standards.

Our team will continue to provide you with updates as we work with the RACGP as they refine and test the RACGP Standards 6th edition.

We appreciate your patience as we wait for further information regarding timelines and program readiness. We’re committed to providing you with timely updates to ensure you and your team are informed and prepared for this transition when the time comes.

For current accreditation support with the RACGP Standards 5th edition, contact the AGPAL Team:

P: 1300 362 111
E: info@agpal.com.au