Australian Community Health Association Practice Standards and their application for primary health care in Papua New Guinea
Freeman, P.
Papua and new Guinea Medical Journal 36(2): 136-140
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1480 PMID: 8154195 Document Number: 420213
The Australian Community Health Association has developed clearly defined standards for health care delivered by community health centers. The 52 standards were developed during 1982-83 in New South Wales and field tested in a wide variety of settings. The aims of the Community Health Association Standards of Practice (CHASP) are to provide a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the entire service operation, to recommend improvements, and to stimulate ongoing planning and quality assurance. The goal is to develop a consistent, high level of quality across services. Each CHASP standard in the manual has a guiding principle, relevant standards, and indicators for each standard. In section 1., the guiding principle is the need to assess and manage the health problems of individuals in a defined community, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork and the education and involvement of the community. The standards for section 1 pertained to six topics: policy and resources, effective intake procedures, accurate assessment, comprehensive management, continuity of care, and informing and involving the client. Six questions were identified as indicating measures of quality of standards in accurate assessment; for instance, what opportunities do staff have to consult with multidisciplinary team members and what mechanism provides for this opportunity. When CHASP standards are used in evaluation, several phases are identified: the preparatory, the onsite review, and feedback and service development. The standards are applicable to Papua New Guinea because of their comprehensive nature, the balance between inputs of technical expertise and community participation, and the structured nature of the review process.