Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) is an Australian Government agency that leads and coordinates national improvements in the safety and quality of health care based on the best available evidence. By working in partnership with patients, consumers, clinicians, managers, policy makers and health care organisations, our aim is to achieve a sustainable, safe and high-quality health system.

As a result of its work, the Commission has an ongoing program of significant national activity with outcomes that are demonstrating direct patient benefit as well as creating essential underpinnings for ongoing improvement. The Commission aims to use its role as the national body for safety and quality in health care in Australia to ensure that the health system is better informed, supported and organised to deliver safe and high quality care. An integral part of the Commission's work is in developing and maintaining indicators of safety and quality.

The objectives of the Commission's national indicators project are to:

  • Enhance the quality and safety focus in national health data standards and indicators
  • Drive improvement in safety and quality at local levels through fostering supportive feedback
  • Improve transparency and accountability in reporting on healthcare safety and quality.

The Commission has responsibility for registration of health indicators within the following domains:

  • Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation
  • Clinical Care Standards
  • Core Hospital-based Outcome Indicators
  • Hand Hygiene Audit
  • Hospital Acquired Complications
  • National Inpatient Medication Chart
  • National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
  • Person Centred Measurement

Indicators, measurement and reporting  .