NATIONAL CORE STANDARDS FOR HEALTH ESTABLISHMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
As part of quality assurance, the National Department of Health developed the National Core
Standards against which service delivery by health establishments can be assessed. The seven
domains of the National Core Standards are:
1. Patient Rights
2. Patient safety, Clinical Governance and Care
3. Clinical Support Services
4. Public Health
5. Leadership and Corporate Governance
6. Operational Management
7. Facilities and Infrastructure
1. Patient Rights
Patient rights must be respected and their rights be upheld, including access to needed care and to
respectful, informed, dignified attention in an acceptable and hygienic environment, seen from the
point of view of the patient, in accordance with Batho Pele principles and the Patient Rights Charter.
Respect and dignity
Access to information for patients
Physical access
Continuity of care
Reducing delays in care
Emergency care
Access to a package of health services
Complaints management
2. Patient safety, Clinical Governance and Care
There must be quality nursing and clinical care and ethical practice, reduced unintended harm t
health care users or patients in identified cases of greater clinical risk, prevention and management
of problems or adverse events, including health care associated infections.
Patient care according to protocols
Clinical management of priority health conditions – MCWH, HIV and AIDS, TB, STI’s
Clinical leadership
Clinical risk
Adverse events management
Infection prevention and control
3. Clinical Support Services
There must be timely availability of medicines, efficient provision of diagnostic, therapeutic and
other clinical support services and necessary medical technology, as well as systems to monitor the
efficiency of care provided to patients.
Pharmaceutical services – effective procurement, stock control, prescriptions and dispensing
of medicines
Diagnostic services – quality and safety
Therapeutic and support services e.g. blood, social and rehabilitation services
Health technology - medical equipment and medical devices
Sterilization services (CSSD)
Mortuary services
Clinical efficiency management
4. Public Health
Health facilities should work with Non-governmental Organizations NGO’s) and other health care
providers along with local communities and relevant sectors in promoting health, preventing illness
and reducing further complications, and ensure that integrated and quality care is provided for the
whole community, including during disasters.
Population based planning and service delivery – Flagship Programme
Health promotion and disease prevention
Health emergencies and disaster preparedness
Environmental controls
5. Leadership and Corporate Governance
Senior management must provide strategic direction through proactive leadership, planning and risk
management, supported by the hospital board, clinic committee as well as the relevant supervisory
support structures.
Oversight and accountability – functional governance structures
Strategic management – strategic and operational plans
Risk management –risks and medico-legal incidents
Quality improvement systems
Effective leadership
Communications and public relations
6. Operational Management
There must be effective and efficient human and financial resources, assets and consumables,
records and information systems to support and ensure delivery of safe and effective patient care.
Human resource management and development
Staff welfare and employee wellness
Financial management
Supply chain and assets management
Transport and fleet management
Information management
Medical records
7. Facilities and Infrastructure
There must be clean, safe and secure physical infrastructure (buildings, equipment, plant and
machinery) as well as functional, well managed hotel (hospitality) services and effective waste
disposal.
Buildings and grounds- adequacy and safety of buildings, cleanliness of premises
Machinery and utilities – electricity, telephone systems
Safe and secure environment
Hygiene and cleanliness
Waste management – general and medical waste
Linen and laundry
Food services
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