1. The Clinical Audit Cycle
Patient Information
If you require any further
information please contact
Patient Advocacy Service
or alternatively contact
Clinical Audit Department
References
HIQP Healthcare quality improvement partnership. Guide for patients in understanding clinical audit reports
“I was asked to take part in a clinical audit. I was pleased to answer questions because it was good to know that my experience might help to improve the service & it is reassuring that they are looking at the care that they give” Patient
Clinical Audit Cycle
The Clinical Audit Cycle
Clinical Audit
Checking you receive
safe high quality care
Tallaght Hospital

2. What is Clinical Audit? Confidentiality & Data Protection Types of
Nurses, Doctors, Students and
other staff who care for you want
to ensure that you receive the
best care possible.
One of the ways we can check this is to conduct clinical audits. A clinical audit involves checking that the care provided is of the highest quality and follows evidence-based practice.
If the audit shows areas that could be improved, then changes are made and the audit is repeated to monitor
progress.
This is called the clinical audit cycle.
“Clinical audits give me a way to check that the care I am providing is of a high standard. It helps with my education and training and keeps me up to date with best practice” Clinician
Confidentiality
& Data Protection
We may use information contained
in your healthcare records in order
to carry out clinical audits.
You will not be contacted directly if we use your healthcare records for a
clinical audit project.
This is because your name and personal details are kept confidential and are not included in the audit findings and report.
Types of
Clinical Audit
There are different types
of clinical audits. Typically
they involve a review of
healthcare records but
some audits involve patients
taking an active part in the
audit process. Below are
some examples of clinical
audits
Hand hygiene audit
Documentation
Patient observations
Medication safety
“Clinical audits give me a way to
demonstrate that my service is
meeting quality targets. Its part of
a culture that puts quality firmly
on the agenda” Manager