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General Surgery Risk Reduction pp 317–336Cite as

Accreditation, Credentialing, Scope of Practice, and Outcome Evaluation

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Part of the book series: Surgery: Complications, Risks and Consequences ((SCRC))

Abstract

Every patient naturally desires to have confidence in his/her doctor. However, the process of training, accreditation, practice standards, and maintenance of those standards is complex. Despite the difficulties in defining and maintaining medical, surgical, and healthcare facility standards, the standards are upheld and maintained admirably in the vast majority of cases. The very few unfortunate lapses in standards of practice testify to this, but these also generate much anxiety, embarrassment, and loss of confidence for many. This chapter addresses these aspects and outlines ways that standards might be upheld or even advanced to reduce complications, risks, and consequences of medical and surgical practice. For associated aspects or information, refer to other relevant chapters and volumes.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the enormous and valuable work of the safety groups including the following groups: the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care and the pivotal role played by the previous Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care; Standards and Accreditation Working Group in the consultation and production of the guidelines used and referenced in this document; the South Australian Department of Health has provided the credentialing templates; the American College of Surgeons, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)#, is acknowledged for its public provision of details of development of the Surgical Quality Program used in the USA; the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) Clinical Indicator Program; the Australian Patient Safety Foundation; and International Patient Safety Foundation. We would like to thank Professor Clifford Ko, Director of NSQIP, for his advice on the NSQIP program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, L5 Eleanor Harrald Building, North Terrace, 5000, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Brendon J. Coventry BMBS, PhD, FRACS, FACS, FRSM

  2. Clinical Excellence Commission, Government of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Clifford Hughes AO,D.Sc,MBBS,FRACS,FACS

  3. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Clifford Hughes AO,D.Sc,MBBS,FRACS,FACS

  4. Medical Board of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Richenda Webb MBBS

Authors
  1. Brendon J. Coventry BMBS, PhD, FRACS, FACS, FRSM
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  2. Clifford Hughes AO,D.Sc,MBBS,FRACS,FACS
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  3. Richenda Webb MBBS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brendon J. Coventry BMBS, PhD, FRACS, FACS, FRSM .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Brendon J. Coventry

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Coventry, B.J., Hughes, C., Webb, R. (2014). Accreditation, Credentialing, Scope of Practice, and Outcome Evaluation. In: Coventry, B. (eds) General Surgery Risk Reduction. Surgery: Complications, Risks and Consequences. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5391-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5391-7_12

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